Working in a research lab at Arizona State University at the West
Campus, I met Erica Barraza one day as I was explaining to her about
my long drive to South Mountain Village every Friday for the urban
anthropology class. All of the following information in this paper
is based on Erica’s own vision of what is happening within her
neighborhood.
Erica
informed me she lives in a subdivision located between 7th
Street and Baseline, so I requested an interview with her. Both she
and her mother moved there five years ago from another Phoenix home
located between 35th Ave and Indian School Road. They
decided to buy a house in South Mountain mainly because of the
beautiful view of the mountain itself. Her mother hoped the
elevation of the city surrounded by the mountains would also help
her with her allergies due to the daily pollution. White
middle-class population mostly dominates the subdivision Erica lives
in. An article published in USA Today, “Whites lead residential
boom in downtowns across America” in 2001 explains that the
nationwide downtown residential boom is beginning to be dominated by
the white population, and the decreasing trend of Hispanic and
African American population in South Phoenix.
Erica
and her mother have been enjoying the constant new growth of South
Mountain Village. The city has been busy trying to renovate this
part of town. Older run-down homes and vacant lots near 24th
Street and Broadway have been purchased by the city and redeveloped
into newer homes and businesses. She mentions the city is very
dedicated to keeping this town clean. Trash and loose garbage are
cleaned up as quickly as possible. The subdivision they live in
does not have a homeowners association, but the city keeps a close
watch on all its residents. The city’s maintained crew daily cleans
up the landscape around the city by cutting the grass and trimming
the trees. Residents have been fined by the city for not keeping up
with lawn maintains care, and after several warnings the job is done
by the city and billed to the homeowners. In an article written by
Wilson in 1999 called, “South Phoenix area targeted for cleanup,”
explains how a privately funded organization does up to six cleanups
in a year around South Mountain Village. The organization calls in
over 300 volunteers from varies churches and schools to help clean
up illegal dumping of varies items within the city.
Recently, a new grocery store opened up near Erica’s house, which
made their former trip to another store, 30 miles away, almost
ancient history. She says she looks forward to bigger chains such
as Wall-mart, Target, and Kmart coming to her town. An article by
Wingett in 2003 called, “Shopping center welcome addition,” further
supports Erica’s and other local residents’ request for a shopping
center. Wingett writes, “The Target and other shops are expected to
lessen grumbling from south Phoenix residents, who for years have
complained of the lack of shopping in the area that forces them to
drive to other parts of the Valley to spend their money.” However,
there are lots of mom and pop businesses stationed around, including
family own restaurants and small shops. Erica mentions the arrival
of Applebee’s on 24th Street as one of the first major
chain of restaurants that is getting lots of attention from the
nearby residents.
As the
new development of this town is attracting new residents, there are
several disadvantages as well. Acres and acres of orchards filled
with oranges are slowly disappearing to make space for newer
subdivisions of homes. In “Citrus stands brace for end,” by Wingett
and Beard they explains, “The end of citrus business resulted from
the necessary expansion of Baseline Road by widening the streets,
adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus shelters, “ The Arizona
Republic March 15th, 2003. Home prices are slowly
increasing and buying a home in South Mountain is becoming less
affordable for the lower-class population. As Reagor and Hart
explain in “Affordable housing scarce,” “a survey of experts lists
barriers to affordable housing as: expensive or limited land, lack
of infrastructure, low wages, lack of jobs, and zoning,” The Arizona
Republic April 19th, 2002. Even though the prices of
homes are still cheaper than other surrounding cities, the land
nearer South Mountain Park is getting to be more expensive. More
and more gated communities are popping up and the homes are getting
larger in size, which is increasing the prices of new homes. The
location of South Mountain is a big attraction due to a ten-minute
drive to downtown where the majority of the residents work. Another
disadvantage is that the buy-out of the older homes and businesses
(rented, run-down homes and apartments) may leave lots of renters
and residents out on the street. As developers begin buying out
acres and acres at a time, many people are being forced to move out
to other poorer neighborhoods.
As South
Mountain Village begins its transformation processes, Erica and her
neighbors are looking forward to the wonderful changes within their
community. The location of the newer neighborhoods has isolated
residents from the more upgraded surrounding areas. Nevertheless,
newer and bigger chains of businesses, stores, and restaurants are
moving into the newer neighborhoods, but not without the cost and
the devastating lost of the older ones.
References