Rio Salado Update January 2000

The following also is provided in Spanish. Lo siguiente también es provisto en Español .

Beyond the Banks of the River
Citizens Advisory Committee Recommendations

Construction of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration project in the Salt River began in the spring of 2000. For nearly a century this River has been dry as a result of dams built in the early 1900s. The restoration project will transform the riverbed to provide a variety of amenities including recreation opportunities, improved flood management, riparian vegetation and wildlife habitat.

In November 1998, the Phoenix City Manager created a committee to look into opportunities presented by the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project. As a result, a group of citizens supported by city staff members formed the Beyond the Banks Advisory Committee. This 28-person Committee spent countless hours volunteering their time over a one-year period to become familiar with the Rio Salado project, explore potential community revitalization opportunities and ultimately develop a vision for the area “beyond the banks” of the Rio Salado project. The Beyond the Banks area surrounds the Rio Salado project and is bounded by I-17 Maricopa Freeway to the north, 32nd Street to the east, Broadway Road to the south and 19th Avenue to the west.

The Beyond the Banks Vision
The Beyond the Banks Advisory Committee has developed a rich, diverse vision for community revitalization that will occur as a result of the Rio Salado project. In this vision, the Rio Salado project will serve as a catalyst for transforming the area adjacent to the project into places where people not only work and live, but also places where people from all over Phoenix will come to enjoy the experiences that have been created. The Committee believes revitalization Beyond the Banks should encourage diverse and balanced uses; provide safe, family-friendly opportunities for recreation and relaxation, and preserve and promote neighborhoods, a sense of identity, and an appreciation for Phoenix’s history.

• Recommendations — To implement this vision, the Committee’s goals, objectives, and strategies are summarized in the following recommendations. The recommendations are arranged alphabetically, rather than in priority order, according to the categories of goals established by the Committee.

• Access — Revitalization Beyond the Banks should encourage and enhance access for the public to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project, not restrict it.

  Revitalization should comply with the mandates in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Ambience — Revitalization adjacent to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project should create attractive, natural spaces for public enjoyment that extend and enhance the natural setting provided by Rio Salado.

  Design standards should be developed so that as revitalization occurs, the Rio Salado corridor is transformed in accordance with the Committee’s Vision. An enforcement mechanism should be developed to ensure design standards are met.

• Education — Nearby schools should be encouraged to develop science and environmental curricula that involve a first-hand observation of the ecological systems of the restored River.

  Public/private partnership efforts should be initiated to develop an environmental educational center adjacent to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration to facilitate hands-on learning opportunities for students throughout the Phoenix area.

• Employment and Economic Development — Business ownership opportunities created by economic development should be available for both small and large businesses.

  Appealing “showcase” projects near the river emphasizing attractive development should be initiated to kickstart revitalization and demonstrate the opportunities available Beyond the Banks.

  

• History — Revitalization Beyond the Banks should highlight the indigenous and social history of Phoenix’s development along the River from historic to recent times.

  A survey of special places with historical value should be conducted in neighboring communities to facilitate their recognition and renovation and to provide design themes for future revitalization.

• Housing — Revitalization should reflect compassion for existing residents and increased opportunities for home improvement as an option for long-term residents of owner-occupied dwellings.

  Incentives should be provided to create better housing and encourage infill development, including better access to shopping, schools, and employment.

  New housing should provide a continuum of housing, both in terms of cost and with a balanced mix of single and multi-family dwellings.

  If relocation is necessary, opportunities to relocate in the same vicinity should be provided if possible, and assistance should be provided to ensure that people are not left worse off economically than before they moved.

• Public Participation — Nearby residents, businesses, communities, and youth should be actively involved in planning and decision-making that affects the Beyond the Banks area.

  Public participation should not only provide input to the revitalization process but should encourage active support and a long-term commitment to fulfilling the vision for Beyond the Banks.

• Recreation — Recreational opportunities adjacent to the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project should provide activities for both residents and visitors, ranging from active and athletic pursuits to more passive and contemplative ones.

  The Rio Salado project should serve as the impetus for creating more family-oriented recreational and entertainment opportunities Beyond the Banks.

  Opportunities to connect existing trails and open space corridors to the Rio Salado Project should be pursued. New trails should provide pedestrian-friendly access to the Rio Salado from surrounding neighborhoods.

• Safety — Public health, safety, and security should be a priority concern in any planning for revitalization.

  The location and proximity of residential areas in relation to industrial areas should carefully consider the health and safety of residents. In areas that are already predominantly industrial, this consideration may ultimately argue for relocation of residents as the most viable means of providing safety. In other cases, relocation of industrial activities, particularly if they represent non-conforming uses, may be the most viable option.

• Transportation — Creating pedestrian and bicycle friendly opportunities for accessing and enjoying the Rio Salado Project should be given a high priority in transportation planning.

  Better public transportation to the project area should be provided from all areas of the city.

  A Rio Salado Scenic Drive should be created that complements the natural river setting and encourages slower vehicular speeds and non-vehicular uses.

• How to get involved — Public comment is strongly encouraged, as it has been throughout the entire visioning process of the Committee. This commitment to public comment will continue into the new millennium as a number of public workshops will be conducted within the Beyond the Banks area.

Comments, questions and suggestions can be forwarded to Karen Williams, the city's Rio Salado Project Coordinator at (602) 262-4717 or 200 W. Washington Street, 12th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003 or Kwillia2@ci.phoenix.az.us