Crews demolish Phoenix landmark

Posted on 09. Aug, 2009 by Tony Arranaga in Featured, News

UPDATE: link to story on teens and fight clubs

A nudge from the heavy equipment knocks debris five stories to the ground sending a cloud of dust blowing onto Central Avenue in Midtown Phoenix.

Many people may recall the old abandoned storage building behind the lottery sign at Central and Indian School, directly across from the light rail station.

Crews spent the weekend demolishing the decades old Phoenix landmark, but are they making way for more development?  A parking lot?  Or are the property owners going to turn the space into a dirt lot?

While there is no official confirmation, word on the streets has it there was a problem with illegal fight clubs taking place on the fifth floor.  The participants were using the stairs on the side of the building to gain entry.  The structure was solid concrete, and there’s so much traffic below, that people would never know there was this kind of activity going on inside. Was all this really going on in my neighborhood??

The property extends from the northwest corner of Central and Indian School, and continues west almost to 3rd Avenue.  A strip mall is also located on this property, and people may remember one of the tenants, an arts supply store, recently closed up shop.  The entire property is now vacated and surrounded by a chain link fence.

No more art store, no more fight clubs, at least not here.  But now what?  More property for sale along the light rail?  Big plans for a prime piece of real estate?  Or just paving the way for potential projects once the economy gains some strength?

UPDATE:

Meanwhile, I’m googling ‘Phoenix’ and ‘fight clubs’ – turns out there’s a nationwide problem with teens taking part in this illegal activity and many parents are in the dark about what’s going on.  This online story gives parents tips on how to tell if you’re child is involved in a fight club.

Tags: demolition, lightrail, Phoenix