3rd/5th Avenues Construction Update – November 2024

Dear Willo Neighbors:

On November 6, 2024, several Willo Leaders and the City of Phoenix had a very productive call regarding the lack of progress on 3rd/5th Avenue.

In attendance:

From Willo: myself: Brad Brauer, Opal Wagner, and Eric Gilmore.

From The City: Representatives from all the following departments:

City Council, City Manager’s Office, and Streets/Transportation Leadership.

Summary:

We discussed the historic perspective, ensured all City representatives understood the project’s background and provided historical factual timelines.

Bottom Line:

-3rd Avenue: City officials are very optimistic that 3rd Avenue will be finished by the end of the year, and this INCLUDES the STOP signs being installed at Encanto Blvd/3rd. I feel confident this will happen now that a representative from the city manager’s office is involved in this project.

-5th Avenue:

As many of you know, 5th Avenue and Encanto Blvd are being worked on to solve drainage issues before construction begins.

Planning work is still being completed from the Vernon to Encanto Blvd section.

The City is expected to begin construction at the beginning of 2025.

-Other items:

Left turn signal from 3rd to Thomas and from Thomas to 5th… I asked what the status is. No one knew. So, I will wait for an answer.

Also, I strongly suggested that the City update its own website, “3rd/5th Avenue Project North of McDowell”, to be the primary method of communication, and we can post this link for easy access. I suggested it be updated monthly (it has not been updated in 14 months, and City staff are unaware of this).

One final point: I made it clear that the City Staff should be aware of the Willo Conservation Plan as it provides the foundation for why Willo is Willo, as this document includes language of traffic mitigation.

(this document was written by the City of Phoenix).

In closing, thanks for your support and patience and for being part of Willo. I will post updates when I have credible information to share.

Thank you, Bob Cannon