Phoenix Street

Phoenix Street blog

            The walking route between San Francisco and Milton along Phoenix Street is one of several historic routes in town. More modern developments include the bus station and several of the specialty shops along Phoenix and Mikes Pike.  This street is very different from Milton because of the lower volume of long distance traveler traffic, and higher volume of locals. They also have more historic building with business that has been there just as long, while it seems Milton is an ever-changing array of aged hotels and convenience food. 

            The buildings that are most influential on this street are Biffs Bagels, Zani, the courtyard if Beaver street, and Fratelli Pizza, the old blue house right on the corner of Mikes Pike and Phoenix, is a very old vet’s office, despite the large fence in front. Personally what I like most about this street is the personality of all the buildings, in comparison to Flagstaff’s “Miracle Mile” along Milton. Most of the buildings on Milton are of some sort of corporate conglomerate, that bank of the brand recognition and brand loyalty of travelers and consumers. Especially businesses the like Starbucks and Micky D’s who promote their traveler friendly appeal by “easy to see and therefore easy to enter” drive-thru’s, as well as the promotions about how fast their service is and how many people they have served.  

            When one compares the two locations, very close spatially but very different feels, it is apparent that they have been developing at very different rates, even compared with the Downtown that is north of the tracks. This is even more apparent when you see inside the buildings. The buildings on Phoenix Street are obviously historic, they are made from Malpais basalt, and I know from personal experience they also have the plumbing and electricity of historic buildings. However, what I really like is the open-endedness for decoration on the owners part, Biff’s has a great sign in a great font, but its not neon because they are not open after 3, Zani is purple because that’s what color the Bonzani’s wanted it.  The front of Fratelli and the Hair Place has been a work in progress, but the bike has always been there however the owners have been putting more neon, light up stuff in front because we are open later at night during the summer. This is the personality that makes this historic section my favorite part of town, as well as the fact that the business have been around for so long not like the ever evolving stretch of Milton.

            However, I do feel like the atmosphere of this area changes, depending on the season there is a lively bum camp on the north side of the street right by the tracks, also depending on the construction level in the surrounding area all affect the locale of people that are using this and eating in this area.  

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