Exploding Downtown
Exploding Downtown
Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the country, but it doesn't look like it, particularly its dead-after-dark downtown. Why hasn't a vibrant core city happened? We've got interesting people: artists, tycoons, celebrities cultural and ethnic diversity. Why are we saddled with vacant lots and Soviet-style architecture in our core city? Downtown dwellers can't even rent a video in the neighborhood, and forget about it if you're looking for more than a handful of decent restaurants and bars. Among the few good things downtown are sports venues like Bank One Ballpark and America West Arena. But they aren't enough. The First Friday art walks, which bring thousands downtown each month, give us a taste of what downtown could be. But that isn't enough either. In a New Times special project, we examine how downtown got this way and what must be done if Phoenix is to become a world-class city.
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Big Scam TheoryNewsDowntown Phoenix has always had its high points, but the Civic Center boondoggle isn't one of themBy: Michael Lacey -Published: December 18, 2003
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Dark ImpulsesFeatureAt night, downtown Phoenix is a ghost town -- except for a few bright spotsBy: Jimmy Magahern -Published: December 11, 2003
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Clan of the Bike MenFeatureAs downtown pedicabbers battle for turf and tips, major operators say city regs would end the mayhemBy: Susy Buchanan -Published: December 04, 2003
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Who's CoolSidebarA list-in-progress of who's living, working, creating in downtown PhoenixBy: -Published: December 04, 2003
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The Cool IndexFeaturePhoenix has always been hot. But can it ever be cool?By: Amy Silverman -Published: December 04, 2003
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Downtown BrownSidebarBarrio businesses are flourishing, but not in downtown PhoenixBy: Susy Buchanan
additional reporting by Dan Cortez -Published: November 20, 2003 -
Operation Mickey MouseFeatureCould downtown Phoenix get more soulless? Yep! Check out Jerry Colangelo's secret planBy: John Dougherty -Published: November 20, 2003
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Sorry, We're ClosedFeatureDowntown businesses are struggling to stay afloatBy: Paul Kix -Published: November 06, 2003
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Speech TherapyNewsRichard Florida jump-starts downtown dialogueBy: Michele Laudig -Published: October 30, 2003
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Jerry's WorldFeatureJerry Colangelo and his pals have gobbled up the lion's share of public development dollars. If downtown's to be saved, City Hall's got to share the wealthBy: John Dougherty -Published: October 16, 2003
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Us vs. ThemFeatureMake downtown attractive to locals, not to outsiders wearing knee socks and nametags. It only makes senseBy: Michael Lacey -Published: October 02, 2003
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Creative Class ActSidebarRichard Florida knows exactly what's wrong with PhoenixBy: Michele Laudig -Published: October 02, 2003
From the Print Edition
Fried: Chow Bella Writers Tell Stories of Food and Heat
DRIVE-THRU by Katie Johnson "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?" I'm 7 years old and I'm kneeling behind a low wooden chest in my parent's cookie-cutter home in Ahwatukee. My stepfather,… More >>
Joe Arpaio and the MCSO Need a Court-Appointed Babysitter in the Melendres Racial-Profiling Case
Would you trust Joe Arpaio and his underlings to police themselves in the wake of U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow's May 24 order, which found that the Maricopa County… More >>
In Philadelphia, where I live, there are three Spanish-language stations on regular broadcast television. None of them offer English subtitles. I bet plenty of people of all heritages would like… More >>
Citizen Journalist Dennis Gilman and His Video Camera Take on the Valley of the Sun
The cops march down Jefferson Street in black riot gear, lobbing tear-gas canisters that erupt into clouds of violet and lawn-green. Even the bursts of electric-yellow pepper spray they unleash… More >>
Bill Montgomery Would Rather Talk About Jodi Arias Than Judge Snow's Order, and Here's Why
The first cracks in the Berlin Wall have begun, but Comrade Montgomery's unwilling to concede the inevitable. When it comes to those gaps in the concrete, he'd rather not discuss them… More >>
U.K.'s spectacular Guardian newspaper has asked me to field questions for its readers as part of the paper's summer travel package — turns out Brits want to know more about… More >>
Paolo Soleri Is the True Legend of the Arizona Architecture Scene
In 1950, two upstart architects, Paolo Soleri and Mark Mills, finished their first commission — the Dome House — a model of which is included in the permanent collection of… More >>
Judge Snow's Decision Damns Not Just Arpaio, but All of Maricopa County
Shortly after the release of U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow's 142-page ruling in the 5 1/2-year-long civil rights lawsuit Melendres v. Arpaio, members of the Hispanic and activist communities… More >>
I went to a Los Angeles Dodgers game today and noticed that they now have Doyer Dogs, which are fucking disgusting and covered in nacho cheese, jalapeños, and chili. Not… More >>
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