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Old Posted Aug 15, 2007, 3:48 PM
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My Turn: Civic space to provide key element downtown lacks
Phil Gordon and Phil Richards
Aug. 15, 2007 07:00 AM

To have a great downtown, you absolutely need housing, retail, high-rises, restaurants and cultural amenities. But to make it all work, you need to thoughtfully and deliberately include an appropriate amount of open space, artfully woven into the mix. And for cities, that means "civic space" - such as parks.

When I first became mayor, I promised we would rebuild Patriots Square Park to be truly worthy of its name. In a few weeks, that process thankfully begins.

But beyond Patriots Park, I also noted that Phoenix has always lacked the kind of "defining amenity" that all great cities have. With our new downtown civic space, a 2.7-acre park that is a key component in the renaissance of downtown Phoenix, we will have that defining amenity.

It will provide crucial, shaded open space and serve as the connection between the downtown campus of Arizona State University, the University of Arizona Medical College, emerging residential housing to the west, and the thousands of employees who work nearby. Neighboring Central Station and Metro light rail will provide easy access to the park from all directions.

When Phoenix voters approved the bond proposition in 2006 to fund this park, it was clear they understood that a new, uniquely urban and vibrant public space was not just desirable, but critical. Over a period of several months, residents, the universities and the business community joined the Parks Board in a very public process to create a master plan for the park. Dozens of comments at meetings, e-mails and phone calls led to a master plan concept called "Urban Weave" - which you can see at phoenix.gov/PRL/parksdev.html.

Urban Weave creates interplay between the surrounding environment and the park's multifunctional spaces, in which visitors can simultaneously enjoy a variety of activities. These areas are connected, both visually and physically, through the use of linear design elements such as sculpted landscape bands and pedestrian walkways - woven together like the individual threads of a beautiful fabric. The design seeks to make a seamless visual connection between the park and the surrounding buildings and spaces along First and Central avenues. This concept provides a literal reflection of a vibrant urban community - a diverse yet interwoven and cohesive space that will bring together students, residents, downtown workers and visitors.


• We have advocated for more shade - and this space delivers. Layers of shade figure prominently in the park's design. Trees will be chosen for their ability to provide shade. Appealing, man-made structures will provide additional shade to key areas of the park. An interactive, conservation-sensitive water feature will make this an attractive place for kids and will contribute to the park's ability to provide a respite from heat and sun. In this way it will set the tone for the new direction of downtown - as a place where development incorporates green space and shade to improve livability.


• We are committed to community gathering places - and this space delivers. Other design elements will enhance the park as a premier gathering spot. The parks modular design elements provide for a fixed performance space and maximum flexibility to host a variety of cultural and special events. Soon, we will all enjoy passive seating areas and chessboards, movies in the park, and art exhibits.

A vibrant public space is at the heart of all great urban centers. It's one element we have truly been lacking in Phoenix. But not anymore. We will soon have a downtown civic space truly worthy of the first great city to emerge in the 21st century.
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