Carefree Truth
Issue #569, May 29, 2017
Items #6 & 7 on the Consent Agenda addressed approval of street closures for the 2018 Thunderbird Artists shows, which will take place on January 19th-21st and March 16th-18th from 10 AM-5 PM, with set up starting at 5 PM the day before and tear down starting at 5 PM on the respective Sundays. Closures included Hum Road, Ho Hum Road, Easy Street, Sundial Circle and part of Sunshine Way.
Councilman Jim Van Allen requested that those items be removed from the Consent Agenda for questioning. Councilman Mike Farrar, who was absent, had called Mr. Van Allen, asking him to be sure that a piece of Sunshine Way to the southeast of Town Hall would not be closed so those coming from the east could turn in Sunshine Way and go around to the Post Office. That section was shown on the map in the Council packets as being closed for the shows.
Mayor Les Peterson referred the question to Gary Neiss, who explained that the way it was drawn on the map is exactly what has been done for the last 4-5 years, when the vendor spaces on Easy Street were re-calibrated to open up the frontage along the business district. This moved the vendors from in front of the businesses on Easy Street to a location in front of Town Hall so as not to adversely impact the businesses, while still providing several points of ingress/egress to the south side of the post office from both Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive. The Sunshine Way closure didn't impact circulation into the Post Office, and it opened up the business district for better visibility.
Thunderbird Artists is Carefree's largest art event, with 135-145 high end vendors, many of whom need a flat surface to display their art, and some need the ability to truck in large pieces of art. Access is a critical element. Continuity is another critical element. Visibility for the artists at the far end of the shows is lost if there are gaps in the flow.
Mr. Van Allen said he had worked the show a lot before the changes were made 4-5 years ago. After Mr. Farrar brought this to his attention, Mr. Van Allen walked the March show and counted the tents. He concluded that only 2 tents would be affected, and they could be moved to the west, opening up Sunshine Way. He noted that Thunderbird Artists was cooperative. Gina Kaegi agreed that Judi and Denise are cooperative, but she felt that more than 2 tents would be affected, adding that there is a reason things are done they way they are done. It was determined this was best for both parties, but the Town can discuss it again with Thunderbird.
Gary Neiss pointed out that the number of vendors varies from show to show, depending on the time of year. Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce executive director Patty Villeneuve cautioned that if that gate were moved to the area by the Sundial Cafe or diagonally across from Town Hall, moving traffic through there would become a safety issue when 20-30 are waiting to pay to enter the show.
Town Attorney Mike Wright reminded the Council that they couldn't approve items #6 & 7 unless the motion was made to approve them subject to a future review of the map as drawn, and any changes made to it. The motion, as suggested, was made and unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/215847365
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
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Issue #569, May 29, 2017
Items #6 & 7 on the Consent Agenda addressed approval of street closures for the 2018 Thunderbird Artists shows, which will take place on January 19th-21st and March 16th-18th from 10 AM-5 PM, with set up starting at 5 PM the day before and tear down starting at 5 PM on the respective Sundays. Closures included Hum Road, Ho Hum Road, Easy Street, Sundial Circle and part of Sunshine Way.
Councilman Jim Van Allen requested that those items be removed from the Consent Agenda for questioning. Councilman Mike Farrar, who was absent, had called Mr. Van Allen, asking him to be sure that a piece of Sunshine Way to the southeast of Town Hall would not be closed so those coming from the east could turn in Sunshine Way and go around to the Post Office. That section was shown on the map in the Council packets as being closed for the shows.
Mayor Les Peterson referred the question to Gary Neiss, who explained that the way it was drawn on the map is exactly what has been done for the last 4-5 years, when the vendor spaces on Easy Street were re-calibrated to open up the frontage along the business district. This moved the vendors from in front of the businesses on Easy Street to a location in front of Town Hall so as not to adversely impact the businesses, while still providing several points of ingress/egress to the south side of the post office from both Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive. The Sunshine Way closure didn't impact circulation into the Post Office, and it opened up the business district for better visibility.
Thunderbird Artists is Carefree's largest art event, with 135-145 high end vendors, many of whom need a flat surface to display their art, and some need the ability to truck in large pieces of art. Access is a critical element. Continuity is another critical element. Visibility for the artists at the far end of the shows is lost if there are gaps in the flow.
Mr. Van Allen said he had worked the show a lot before the changes were made 4-5 years ago. After Mr. Farrar brought this to his attention, Mr. Van Allen walked the March show and counted the tents. He concluded that only 2 tents would be affected, and they could be moved to the west, opening up Sunshine Way. He noted that Thunderbird Artists was cooperative. Gina Kaegi agreed that Judi and Denise are cooperative, but she felt that more than 2 tents would be affected, adding that there is a reason things are done they way they are done. It was determined this was best for both parties, but the Town can discuss it again with Thunderbird.
Gary Neiss pointed out that the number of vendors varies from show to show, depending on the time of year. Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce executive director Patty Villeneuve cautioned that if that gate were moved to the area by the Sundial Cafe or diagonally across from Town Hall, moving traffic through there would become a safety issue when 20-30 are waiting to pay to enter the show.
Town Attorney Mike Wright reminded the Council that they couldn't approve items #6 & 7 unless the motion was made to approve them subject to a future review of the map as drawn, and any changes made to it. The motion, as suggested, was made and unanimously approved.
https://vimeo.com/215847365
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.