Desk Chat | Your Downtown with David Krietor

April 24, 2015 by David Krietor

David Krietor has served as CEO of the newly-formed Downtown Phoenix, Inc. (“DPI”) since April 8, 2013. In that time, he has begun work with community stakeholders to develop the downtown we want. “Your Downtown” shares his thoughts and DPI’s progress with the downtown community and beyond. Read the other chats here.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend board meetings of the Roosevelt Action Association, Evans Churchill Community Association, Downtown Voices Coalition, and Downtown Phoenix Partnership. Participating in these meetings reminds me how many priorities these divergent groups have in common. But, also how important it is that DPI focus on collaboration between our city government, business, and community interests.

Positive Developments

Our partner, Downtown Phoenix Journal, and the Phoenix Metro Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have collaborated to explore the buildings and structures of our city, look closer at what makes them special, and perhaps challenge those who want to contribute to our built environment to approach downtown development in a more thoughtful way. The following individuals have already provided their insights: Jack DeBartolo (Placemaking: Phoenix), Diane Jacobs (Timeless Third Places), Eddie Jones (My Town), Wellington Reiter (Transforming a Virtual City), and Philip Weddle (Lifeblood of a Desert City). Read what they have to say here.

Challenges to Conquer

So many of us believe that things are moving in the right direction in downtown Phoenix, but of course there’s room for improvement. I’m proud to count among my friends and colleagues in making a better downtown, the organizers of the 4th Annual Phoenix Urban Design Week, April 18-25. Phoenix Urban Design Week convenes and engages people making the future of Phoenix – from urban planners, designers, landscape architects, and policy makers to entrepreneurs, artists, and placemaking specialists. It is felt that the design of our rules, our built environment, and our culture are essential ingredients of economic growth, sustainability, and community empowerment. The primary goal is to collaborate to design and build a city we all want to live in, and address upcoming challenges and opportunities exemplified by these recent news stories:

Getting Around

On April 8, Mayor Greg Stanton gave his State of the City address hosted by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. The mayor updated luncheon attendees and those watching online of city accomplishments over the past year and major “things to do” in the coming months and years, including the August ballot proposition to pass a 0.7% sales tax for transportation improvements (an increase over the city’s current 0.4% tax that’s set to expire in 2020). In other transportation related news…

Food for Thought

LUSTRE Rooftop Garden at Hotel Palomar Phoenix is one of the nominees in USA Today’s latest 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. An expert panel selected LUSTRE as one of 20 contenders for the Best Hotel Rooftop Bar category. The contest gives voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice. A person can vote once a day for the run of the contest. To vote, click here.

Art Abounds

The Smithsonian Institution’s “American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music” exhibit is open to the public through July 5 at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix. “American Sabor” has been traveling cross-country for the past four years and Phoenix is its final stop.

Mark your CalendaY

Finally, here’s a sampling of upcoming events and activities in our downtown for you to mark your calendar and share with friends, family, and associates: