The Simpson Stump - May 2018

Hello again fellow Simpson residents!

Today I’d like to provide a brief explanation of larger community efforts that involve our neighborhood in some capacity. In particular, I’d like to summarize Camelback Light Rail Corridor, VIP Alliance, and 19 North.

Camelback Light Rail Corridor (CLRC) - CLRC is a business alliance centered along the Camelback Avenue stretch of the light rail, extending roughly from 3rd Street to 23rd Avenue, and from Campbell Avenue to Missouri Avenue. This Alliance was initially started two years ago, although its activity has tapered off. Recently, the city announced their intention to get re-involved with this organization and support its growth until it can become a self-sufficient organization. CLRC is focused primarily on businesses and investment along the light rail line (commercial and residential), but does touch on community hot topics, such as crime and blight within its boundaries. The alliance and associated area has had success in bringing about investment and redevelopment (in particular The Newton prior to its formalization, Arrival which is currently under construction, as well as large projects currently in the planning stage near 7th and 17th Avenues). Similar to 19 North mentioned below, only a part of Simpson is located in this alliance area, but the more active we can be in their events and planning, the more we can push for improvements along Camelback and 19th Avenues along our boundaries.

VIP Alliance (VIP) - VIP is an alliance that grew out of the Violence Impact Project that the city begin in 2003, and then supported the community in maintaining from 2004 until 2014. Once the project was complete, the community elected to create a community and business alliance to maintain and continue their efforts to stabilize and improve their neighborhoods, and focus on the area’s newer concerns and development. The alliance is centered on 27th Avenue, and extends from Indian School Road to Dunlap Avenue, and from 19th to 35th Avenues. Their more recent efforts have looked to involving more of the East-West major roadways in addition to 27th Avenue, which looks to provide more opportunities for Simpson Neighborhood.

19 North - 19 North is a combination community and business alliance, and has had the most success in the entire city (by a fairly wide margin). 19 North is centered along 19th Avenue, and extends from Montebello to Dunlap Avenues, and from 15th to 23rd Avenues. 19 North has a fairly strong involvement in both the business sector, as well as community improvements. They’ve managed improvements through the area, including the shopping complex at the northeast corner of 19th Ave and Northern, which houses their offices and community rooms. They host regular clean-ups, graffiti wipe-outs, litter pickups, and have started a food bank program for students at schools within their area. The greater efforts and increase success have brought about very strong support from the City of Phoenix as well. While only part of Simpson is encompassed by 19 North, if we can be a strong presence at their events, then we can look to offer suggestions that can improve Bethany Home and 19th Avenues along our boundaries.

Now to the point of this message: I think it would benefit Simpson to have at least one regular representative in each of these organizations. It would let them know that we support their efforts, and would help keep the Simpson Neighborhood informed as to upcoming opportunities and ongoing efforts to make our neighborhoods better. If you’re at all interested in learning more about any of the above, please let us know at azstills@gmail.com and we can elaborate in more detail, or put you in touch with any of the above organizations.

Having our neighborhood split between three such alliances is both a positive and a negative. We have more opportunities to reach out for opportunities and support from many surrounding neighborhoods and businesses, but similarly our efforts are either going to be split into thirds, or we will need additional volunteers to keep up a presence and level of awareness for each. Much like communities in general, the more we are able to put into these organizations, the more we can help shape them and held bring forward ideas that we as a neighborhood are passionate about.

Thanks for your time!

Steven and Randi (Simpson Co-Chairs)