David Krietor has served as CEO of Downtown Phoenix, Inc. (“DPI”) since April 8, 2013. In that time, he has worked 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.
RadiatePHX
This month’s RadiatePHX celebrates local business leaders and our thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem with a Valley Biz Ball. Join us at Stand Up Live on Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 5-8 p.m. for an inspiring evening of networking and high fives. Featured speakers include Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela, Stand Up Live’s Matt Komen, and #yesphx leader Jonathan Cottrell, plus enjoy complimentary bites and craft beer samples from New Belgium Brewing. I’ll wear my ugly holiday sweater and you can, too. RadiatePHX is always free to attend and you can RSVP here.
PCA Annual Meeting & Center City Starr Awards
The Phoenix Community Alliance Annual Meeting and Center City Starr Awards will take place on Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
In addition to a year-end report on PCA’s activities and the election of the group’s board of directors and officers, you’ll enjoy celebrating the accomplishments of several distinguished Phoenix leaders who will receive PCA’s Center City Starr Award: Diane Yazzie Devine of Native Americans Connections; Charlie Levy of Stateside Presents/Crescent Ballroom/Valley Bar; JoMarie McDonald, past PCA Vice President and downtown hero; and Ed Zuercher, City of Phoenix City Manager.
The Center City Starr Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to advance the quality of life and further the renaissance of Phoenix’s Central City. Winners have been nominated and selected by previous award recipients. The award is named in honor of the late civic leader Barry Starr.
Media Kudos
A special shout-out to ABC15 for their coverage of the significant changes happening downtown. ABC15, Channel 12 (KPNX-TV), Fox 10, Arizona Republic, Phoenix New Times, and Phoenix Business Journal are all located downtown. Their staff see and feel the vibe everyday and do their best to tell the story of our evolving downtown.
And in other downtown news, tis the season…
… to be jolly
- A “Phoestivus” for the rest of us! Phoenix holiday festival returns
- Arizona Theatre Company announces New Year’s Eve special event
- Arizona Theatre Company makes naughty and nice with holiday shows
- CitySkate returns to Downtown Phoenix
- Five don’t-miss Phoenix-area holiday traditions
- Get Your PHX and Phoenix Public Market present 6th Annual Phoestivus Market
- Guide to outdoor ice skating rinks around Phoenix
- Holiday events for Arizona kids
… to be civic-minded
- Claire Burtcher brings her mission of helping others global
- Downtown Oxfam Hunger Banquet promotes hunger awareness
- Downtown Phoenix hair salon offers free haircuts to homeless
- Eric Arellano, ASU Downtown Campus freshman, gets into service
- Fresh Express offers organic produce in refurbished city bus
- Gingerbread house charity competition heats up in Phoenix
- In need? Here’s where to get a Thanksgiving meal
- Jay Parry lauded as 2015 Businessperson of the Year
- Love unites GCU students and those in need
- Nicole Stanton, Phoenix’s first lady, honored for work to reduce bullying
- Phoenix honors World AIDS Day with vigil, march
- Three Arizona universities partner on medical clinic for Phoenix homeless
- Tim Sprague honored as 2015 Businessperson of the Year
- Two ways to help your community this Thanksgiving
- Waste Not uses trash-bound food to help feed metro Phoenix’s hungry
… to be growing
- All-service salon finds home in Roosevelt Point
- Arizona projected to lead nation in job growth
- Bryan Cave and Berkeley Research lease at downtown’s Renaissance Square
- Community members, corporations weigh impact of housing boom
- Coyotes exploring options for new arena
- Developer plans for micro-unit apartments near Downtown Phoenix
- Downtown Phoenix housing boom finally underway
- Downtown Sheraton receives first North American “Grand” designation
- Five Arizona companies finalists for $20,000 elevator pitch business contest
- Fundraiser highlights effort to preserve Wurth House, historic buildings in arts district
- Gateway C.C. and City partner on W. Van Buren makerspace
- Housing boom drastically changing downtown landscape
- Inspire Data Solutions LLC moves from North Scottsdale to Downtown Phoenix
- Looks like the Coyotes are moving, just not where you’d think
- Micro-housing tower proposed for Evans Churchill neighborhood
- Monroe Building leasing retail space to local businesses only
- New public school to prepare students for high-paying tech jobs
- Phoenix Flea unites community in Downtown Phoenix on “Local Saturday”
- Phoenix’s South Central light-rail project advances in FTA grant program
- Phoenix looks to sell TGen biotech building, labs downtown
- Phoenix picks condos for 100-year-old “Psycho” building
- Phoenix slated to ask City Council to authorize downtown Sheraton sale
- Phoenix startup to fill historic Grand Avenue building
- Phoenix’s poor areas offer different business challenges, opportunities
- Plans to sell costly Phoenix HR building move forward
- Posh apartments going up on prime central Phoenix corner
- Renaissance Phoenix Hotel commits to Adams Street activation
- Roosevelt Row could become a business improvement district
- Silicon Valley-based tech company, Gainsight, to locate in Downtown Phoenix
- Urban townhouses slated for downtown’s Triangle neighborhood
- What’s the deal with downtown’s Central Station apartment development?
- Why shopping centers promote lifestyle events to compete
- Wishful and wistful thinking for Downtown Phoenix grocery store
- WP West acquires four acres of Downtown Phoenix land
… to be dining
- Bitter & Twisted makes “Best Bars in America” list
- Coffee shop jumps into Central Avenue competition at Lennar project
- Devoured Culinary Classic tickets now on presale
- Downtown businesses could get formal process to apply for liquor licenses
- Food City Tamale Festival returns to Downtown Phoenix
- Larder + The Delta elevates southern cuisine in downtown food court
- Local businesswoman looks to bring coffee and tea together with Teaspressa
- Meet the Wapanada: Phoenix’s glorious waffle/empanada mashup
- Most shocking restaurant closings in Phoenix
- New pizza festival in Downtown Phoenix is a slice of happiness
- Phoenix police opposed to Starbucks serving alcohol
- Zpizza Tap Room now open in Downtown Phoenix
… to be entertained
- Artist Carrie Marill anchors Roosevelt Row through Combine Studios and murals
- ASU Graduate arts programs thriving in Phoenix’s Warehouse District
- Clay sculpture of Wallace and Ladmo on display in Downtown Phoenix
- College Football Championship Game weekend events announced
- Deafheaven send shockwaves through Crescent Ballroom
- Filmmakers focus on artists for “Phoenix Nightscape: An evening of film”
- First Friday music guide for December in Phoenix
- Grand Avenue Festival & Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts approaching
- How did a mishap lead to an artist’s best work?
- Humans of New York meets Downtown Phoenix in new student blog
- Isabel Allende visits Orpheum Theatre to talk about her new book
- Kenny Chesney announces spring concert at Chase Field
- Lluvia Flamenca returns to Crescent Ballroom
- Motel chain to sponsor Phoenix’s Cactus Bowl
- Nine must-see guests at Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest 2015
- No Pants Light Rail Ride Phoenix announced for January 2016
- NovemBEER Festival to be held at downtown’s Arizona Center
- Phoenix Festival of the Arts shines spotlight on local artists
- Phoenix television history honored in mural at downtown’s First Studio
- Rainn Wilson kicks off Changing Hands speaker series
- Rihanna bringing Anti World Tour to Phoenix
- Ten best Phoenix bands under the age of 21 in 2015
- Top 10 ’90s sitcoms chosen at new downtown event, Radical Rankings
For information about many more Downtown Phoenix events and activities, you’re welcome to download and print DPI’s latest and greatest “What’s Happening Guide.” You can download it by clicking here.
In Closing
To walk off those holiday dinner calories, consider joining the Meet Me Downtown walk and run every Monday (generously sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona) or take a stroll in any number of Phoenix parks, including several downtown. In a recent Parade Magazine article entitled, “Stay Healthy: Heart and Soul,” Len Gutman, director of philanthropy for the American Heart Association’s Phoenix Market, made note of his family’s move from the suburbs to Downtown Phoenix to be in “an area alive with activity, people, and energy.” The benefits, including health benefits, of city living are well documented.
