Winter, 2011-2012   

TCAA Thanks Hudson
Tempe Community Action Agency sent a thank you note for making their Food Pantry 200 lbs fuller from our holiday food drive. They calculate that amount of food will help serve 150 families in Tempe.

The association would also like to thank all those neighbors who participated and an extra BIG thank you to Pam Hendrix and our treasurer Janet Demars for volunteering to pick up all that food. See our February, 2012 Newsletter for additional information.

Gracie Village Plans Submitted & Petition
Plans have been submitted by the out-of-state developer Gorman & Company, Inc. for a 4-story subsidized low income apartment development proposed for the 2-acre site at 1520 E. Apache Blvd. To get this high-density structure built, they will have to have the city council change the zoning and amend the City's general plan for the site. Many of us in the neighborhood are against changing the zoning to accommodate this development. Phil Amorosi has included more detailed information in our February, 2012 Newsletter. Tempe City Council will be holding meetings to gather feedback from the community on this project. We encourage your participation, as always, in the events that affect our neighborhood. If your are not able to attend the meetings, we are looking for volunteers to assist with circulating a Gracie Village Petition. Contact Phil Amorosi (phone number listed in our newsletter) or email Phil Amorosi if you would like to help.

Historic Preservation -Critical Phase
Phil Amorosi just circulated information regarding Hudson Manor acquiring historic status. As of 10/9/11, only 35% of our households have completed the paperwork indicating their support for our neighborhood acquiring this status. By acquiring the historic neighborhood status, Hudson could see rising increases in our property values - as evidenced by our the neighbors to the north of us (Borden Homes)who have seen a rise in property values of 10% since their historic designation in 2007.

If you still have questions or reservations about what the historic status would mean for you, you can can contact the Tempe Historic Preservation Office at 480-350-8028 or email Joe Nucci. If you still have not filled out your forms - please to do so and return your notorized form to Phil as soon as possible.

Sand at the splash pad
For our neighbors with children who play at the splash pad at our Hudson Manor Park: please discourage your children from pouring sand from the play area onto the splash pad - since the sand ends up getting washed down the drains and cause potential drainage problems. See our October, 2011 Newsletter for additional information.

DON’T FORGET HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Arizona Republic did a two page spread interviewing 4 historic neighborhoods in Phoenix. All talk about the improvement that happened after they were designated. Home value does not suffer as much during a downturn. Houses sell faster. People become more vested. Only 20% of Hudson’s owners have turned in their waiver. If you haven’t picked up your waiver form yet to help the neighborhood become officially Historic please contact Phil Amorosi.



Hudson Manor History
The grandson of the developer of our Hudson Manor dropped off a portfolio of old photos of neighborhood and Tempe. See the History page for links to these photos/articles. Phil also found a 1992 news video done on the problems our park was having when a number of homeless people had made Hudson Manor Part their home. Dennis Cahill had just been elected to our City Council and includes neighbor Shelly White as well.

Hudson Manor Labyrinth - Neighbors Working Together!
Summer, 2007 marked the completion of our neighborhood project to construct a meditation area at our Hudson Manor Park. On June 9th, a time capsule was sealed at the entry and the north sign was set in place at the base of the peace pole. The arrow was set in black “Apache Tears” from Globe. Since that time people have been seen eating there, children play games there, others practice playing their guitars and flutes there and yes there was even a person spotted in a yoga position in meditation! This was truly a neighborhood project - with lots of people volunteering their time and energy. See the Labyrinth page for photos of the park in progress.