Historic Phoenix's Roosevelt Row ~ Phoenix, AZ

Roosevelt Row is a dynamic, walkable urban mixed-use area with a significant concentration of artists and other creative professionals. With increasing density, this is an area that is becoming more pedestrian-friendly and supportive of small local independent businesses that give downtown Phoenix character. Roosevelt Street is an east-west corridor that runs between Grand Avenue and 16th Street. The corridor also connects Copper Square and major cultural institutions with the historic neighborhoods of downtown Phoenix, the new downtown ASU campus and the biomedical campus.

Roosevelt Row is also home to artist live/work spaces, gallery spaces and studio spaces. Roosevelt Row is a pedestrian friendly street that connects the arts and downtown Phoenix historic neighborhoods including Garfield Historic, Evans Churchill, F.Q. Story Historic District, Willo Historic District, the Roosevelt Action Association and Grand Avenue.

Roosevelt Row CDC started in 2001 as an informal affiliation of galleries and art spaces along East Roosevelt Street.

A more formal community development corporation was established in 2005 to market the unique character and assets of the area, to advocate for the continuing role of the arts in the revitalization of downtown Phoenix, and to foster a diverse and pedestrian-friendly urban environment.

A SHORT BIT OF HISTORY

Roosevelt Row has been a vital mixed use area from the earliest days of the establishment of Phoenix. In the early 1940's, when there were approximately 30,000 people living in Phoenix numerous businesses were established along Roosevelt Street. The flower shop at Fifth Street and Roosevelt has been in continuous operation since 1948.

In the 1970's, parts of the area were re-zoned as a high-rise incentive district leading to land speculation and a decline of the neighborhood that lasted until the late 1990's.

The blighted area was attractive to artists because the boarded-up buildings and former crack houses were affordable for studio and gallery space. The arts were a major factor in the revitalization of the area resulting in significant decreases in crime as more people began to venture into the area to experience the cultural vibrancy.

The corridor is re-emerging as one of the more vital areas of downtown Phoenix and a significant cultural resource in the metropolitan region and the state.

In 2002, residents and business owners worked with Joy Mee and the City of Phoenix Planning Department to establish the Evans Churchill Plan.

Information courtesy of:
http://www.rooseveltrow.org/about.html

If you would like to browse homes in the Roosevelt Historic Phoenix District, click on:

http://www.historiccentralphoenix.com/roosevelt-historic-district-phoenix.html