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| - In the spring of 2013, I made a fateful decision that more than a few people around me thought was flat out insane. I sold my house in the burbs, sold or gave away a bunch of my stuff, and moved into an apartment on Downtown's Roosevelt Row. It wasn't a move of financial necessity or a move of desperation. Quite the contrary actually. It was a move that put me further from work, in a smaller space, and I undoubtedly could've made even more money on my house had I sold it later on. But I had long held a fondness for all the new energy and excitement that was percolating Downtown and was eager to experience it myself. I'd attended a number of First Fridays and other events on Roosevelt Row in the past, but I wanted to be a full time participant in all that was happening in the neighborhood. Since I made that decision, I've loved every minute of it down here and never looked back. As for Roosevelt Row, the evolution of the neighborhood has probably been something beyond the Roosevelt Row CDC's wildest dreams.
The Roosevelt Row CDC (Community Development Corporation) is a non-profit organization that was formed years ago by neighborhood business leaders and community members who wanted to promote and support the growing arts and small business community taking over many of the old and/or abandoned buildings that dotted the landscape throughout the north end of Downtown. The official borders of Roosevelt Row are Culver Street to the north, Fillmore Street to the south, 7th Avenue to the west, and 16th Street to the east. In its early days, only the most committed Downtown artists and business owners took a chance on this neighborhood and you'd see very few people walking around at night time.
These days, Roosevelt Row is arguably one of the most sought after neighborhoods to live, to work, and to hang out in the valley. Roosevelt Street itself is transforming daily with new housing, new small businesses, and new streetscape improvements to match. Gone are the days of narrow unlit sidewalks, no bike lanes, businesses closing at 5pm, and a shortage of housing options. And that's just Roosevelt Street. Further south you'll find a thriving Saturday public market, tons of restaurant and bar options, coffee shops, theatres, offices, and miscellaneous retail. And of course throughout the entirety of the Roosevelt Row neighborhood, there are the artists and art galleries. Many of which have been around since the CDC was first formed.
In addition to lending support to the neighborhood business and art community, the CDC also puts on a number of unique events annually to raise money for the neighborhood. My personal favorite is the Roosevelt Row Pie Social held just before Thanksgiving each year. Some of the valley's best pastry chefs converge on this event to make unique delicious pies for the masses. We're talking hundreds and hundreds of pies consumed each year. Additionally the CDC puts on the popular annual Chile Pepper festival as well as a New Year's Eve bash (this year it was flannel attire).
Roosevelt Row truly has been a runaway success. However as with any success, there are some unintended consequences. Cost of living has jumped and with it the cost to rent an apartment or a commercial space. This is worrying for those of us who don't want the arts community pushed out. There is also ongoing debate about what landmarks and structures to save and which to replace. No one could've possibly envisioned what Roosevelt Row would look like today. What will it look like ten years from now? This too will be a challenge for the CDC to figure out.
If you haven't visited this area before, I strongly encourage you to come check it out. Come for First Fridays, come for the great restaurants and boutique shops, come for the festivals and yes even come down here if you're looking for a great place to live. I have no idea what Roosevelt Row will look like tomorrow, but I hope to have a front row seat for it.
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