Grand Avenue (Phoenix)

Grand Avenue is a principal arterial road in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States that carries U.S. Route 60 (US 60). US 60 was commissioned in 1926 as part of the United States Numbered Highway System and for over 40 years the highway served as a convenient route from which to import and export goods into the growing valley.

Route description

Grand Avenue slices through downtown Phoenix at a 45-degree angle making it instantly recognizable on any City of Phoenix map and represents the final leg of the US 60 into the heart of Phoenix.

As of 2006, Lower Grand Avenue near 7th Avenue and more specifically between Roosevelt Street on the north and Van Buren on the south, has been experiencing a quiet renaissance, as Independent Art Venues, Bars, Cafes and Small Businesses have emerged amid the work being done to restore the historical and landmark storefront properties that line the street filling the historic warehouses and other architecturally unique buildings.

On the "First Friday" and Third Friday's of every month, Grand Avenue comes alive with hundreds of Urbanites both young and old and suburban sprawlers clamoring for a cultural experience near the core of downtown Phoenix. Some of the outstanding galleries and art venues associated with the Grand Avenue art scene include: The Trunk Space, The Lodge Art Parlor, [ShopDevious.Com][1], The Icon Gallery, The Chocolate Factory, The Paisley Violin, The La Melgosa Complex: Deus Ex Machina, Phoenix Fall Space, Stop n' Look & Comet's Corner, The Annex: Soul Invictus, The Lucky Rabbit & Gallery Marsiglia, Lady Luck Tattoo, & many design houses and studios .

As a result of this urban growth and revitalization GAMA: The Grand Avenue Merchants Association, headed by Beatrice Moore, formed to address a "Grand New Vision" and to bring the Grand Avenue community together with other neighborhood associations to form a vibrant arts, culture and small business district with a mind towards adaptive reuse of historical buildings, responsible infill projects and both small business and community based outreach. Part of this vision, included a proposal commissioned by GAMA, for the historic Desert Sun site by building designer Effie Bouras, which was presented to City Council.

Improvements to Grand Avenue (North of the interstate 10 freeway) are included in the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan of the Maricopa Association of Governments, including reducing many of the busiest three-way intersections to two-way intersections by constructing overpasses, underpasses, and access roads. In the future, it may be constructed to freeway grade.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Maricopa County.

References

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