Brenna Goth

The Republic | azcentral.com

Changes are in store for some major streets in downtown Phoenix as the city plans for more people to navigate its urban core.

Some projects focus on guiding drivers at busy intersections. Others envision limiting car lanes to accommodate more cyclists and adding trees and sidewalks to make streets more walkable for pedestrians.

The city's Street Transportation Department and downtown organizations will launch changes — some of which might affect people's commute — in the next few months.

Phoenix’s first flashing yellow turn arrow

Where: Seventh Avenue and Roosevelt Street.

Seventh Avenue and Roosevelt Street. What’s happening: Drivers turning left onto Roosevelt Street now see a flashing yellow arrow southbound on Seventh Avenue. The signal, warning motorists to yield to oncoming traffic, is used in other cities but is a first in Phoenix. The addition is a safety measure for a busy intersection just south of the Interstate 10 overpass, according to the city.

Drivers turning left onto Roosevelt Street now see a flashing yellow arrow southbound on Seventh Avenue. The signal, warning motorists to yield to oncoming traffic, is used in other cities but is a first in Phoenix. The addition is a safety measure for a busy intersection just south of the Interstate 10 overpass, according to the city. Cost: Work was estimated at $32,100, but the final cost is undetermined.

Work was estimated at $32,100, but the final cost is undetermined. Timeline: The city activated the signal July 14.

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A redesign of Third and Fifth avenues

Where: Third and Fifth avenues between McDowell Road and Washington Street.

Third and Fifth avenues between McDowell Road and Washington Street. What’s happening: Phoenix plans to redesign Third and Fifth avenues, which cut through residential areas downtown. The city originally proposed converting them from one-way streets to two-way streets but is considering other options following community feedback, said Mark Melnychenko, special projects administrator with the transportation planning and programming division of the Street Transportation Department.

Phoenix plans to redesign Third and Fifth avenues, which cut through residential areas downtown. The city originally proposed converting them from one-way streets to two-way streets but is considering other options following community feedback, said Mark Melnychenko, special projects administrator with the transportation planning and programming division of the Street Transportation Department. Cost: Phoenix will develop an estimate as part of its conceptual plan.

Phoenix will develop an estimate as part of its conceptual plan. Timeline: The city plans to unveil a design concept in August. More information is available at 3rdand5thave.com.

A more pedestrian-friendly Adams Street

Where: The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel, on Adams Street between Central Avenue and First Street.

The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel, on Adams Street between Central Avenue and First Street. What’s happening: The hotel will get a major renovation including improvements along Adams Street, according to Jon Erickson, director of sales and marketing. The main entrance will shift from Adams Street to First Street. A Starbucks Evenings store, which serves alcohol and small bites, as well as a renovated bar will open onto the street as part of the project. Crews will repaint the beige hotel white and gray, and fins jetting from the side of the building will provide shade on Adams Street.

The hotel will get a major renovation including improvements along Adams Street, according to Jon Erickson, director of sales and marketing. The main entrance will shift from Adams Street to First Street. A Starbucks Evenings store, which serves alcohol and small bites, as well as a renovated bar will open onto the street as part of the project. Crews will repaint the beige hotel white and gray, and fins jetting from the side of the building will provide shade on Adams Street. Cost: About $12 million in private funding for street improvements and hotel renovations.

About $12 million in private funding for street improvements and hotel renovations. Timeline: The project started several weeks ago and is expected to finish in March, Erickson said.

Bike lanes on Third Street

Where: Third Street between Indian School Road and Roosevelt Street.

Third Street between Indian School Road and Roosevelt Street. What’s happening: Changes will improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility, Melnychenko said.The five vehicle lanes will be reduced to three with buffered bike lanes and improvements in crossings, lighting and sidewalks.

Changes will improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility, Melnychenko said.The five vehicle lanes will be reduced to three with buffered bike lanes and improvements in crossings, lighting and sidewalks. Cost: About $1.86 million is slated for the project, but the city is revising its costs estimate and budget, Melnychenko said.

About $1.86 million is slated for the project, but the city is revising its costs estimate and budget, Melnychenko said. Timeline: The project is entering the final design stage. Construction is expected to start next year.

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New shade trees

Where: Throughout downtown, concentrated between Seventh Street and Second Avenue along Monroe and Adams streets, and Second Street from Van Buren to Jefferson streets.

Throughout downtown, concentrated between Seventh Street and Second Avenue along Monroe and Adams streets, and Second Street from Van Buren to Jefferson streets. What’s happening: Downtown Phoenix Inc., an organization that maintains some downtown streetscapes, is replacing trees to improve shade and growth. Before being replaced, some downtown trees grew in shallow tree wells that didn't allow roots to fully expand, according to Samantha Jackson, vice president of operations. New trees were chosen to grow fast, provide shade and be drought resistant.

Downtown Phoenix Inc., an organization that maintains some downtown streetscapes, is replacing trees to improve shade and growth. Before being replaced, some downtown trees grew in shallow tree wells that didn't allow roots to fully expand, according to Samantha Jackson, vice president of operations. New trees were chosen to grow fast, provide shade and be drought resistant. Cost: About $50,000 for tree removal, irrigation repair, planting and related improvements. The money comes from a special assessment on downtown properties, which the city of Phoenix also pays into.

About $50,000 for tree removal, irrigation repair, planting and related improvements. The money comes from a special assessment on downtown properties, which the city of Phoenix also pays into. Timeline: The organization replanted 58 trees this year with six more outstanding, said Ray Cabrera, director of place making for Downtown Phoenix Inc.

Safer pedestrian crossings

Where: Seventh and Monroe streets.

Seventh and Monroe streets. What’s happening: A new signalized pedestrian crossing between the Children's Museum of Phoenix and the Heritage Square area aims for safer movement across busy Seventh Street. The city also is considering an improved crossing at Seventh Avenue and Fillmore Street, though plans aren't set, Melnychenko said . That area is slated for development, including a 230-unit apartment complex.

A new signalized pedestrian crossing between the Children's Museum of Phoenix and the Heritage Square area aims for safer movement across busy Seventh Street. The city also is considering an improved crossing at Seventh Avenue and Fillmore Street, though plans aren't set, Melnychenko said That area is slated for development, including a 230-unit apartment complex. Cost: The city spent $22,000 as of July 18, but this is not the final cost, according to the Street Transportation Department.

The city spent $22,000 as of July 18, but this is not the final cost, according to the Street Transportation Department. Timeline: The crossing is installed but not activated, Melnychenko said.

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