Does Phoenix have an identity problem? (Glendale, Scottsdale: hotels, moving to, stadium)

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by FlurryCat

Many thousands, if not millions of the people that moved here over the years came because they wanted suburban living with big-city amenities. You know, escaping a crowded urban environment.

This is absolutely true, and I'm one who also likes the big city amenities while living in a mostly suburban environment. What you should realize is: ever since millions of people moved here and made it into a big metro area, it's rather ignorant to move to Phoenix for the purpose of escaping a crowded urban environment when we are becoming exactly that. We'll likely never be another Chicago or NYC (hopefully not), but we recently surpassed Boston in MSA population, so that's one clear sign that Phoenix shouldn't behave small while growing large. Can't have it both ways.

Originally Posted by singlegirlinaz

All good and I'm sure many others will agree, but the goal should be how to make Phoenix even better than what it is now. You brought up large companies and I think that's 1 area we could improve on.

I agree 100%. Unfortunately, some people prefer to call it "negative", "city envy", or whatever silly label they prefer when suggestions are made on how Phoenix could improve. They often claim that we don't need more corporate HQs, super tall buildings, big theme parks, etc. In other words, they're fine with the growth & large size, but heaven forbid if we should get more of the notable extras to reflect our size.

Originally Posted by locolife

But they created a massive concert in Hance park filled with only local bands. Phoenix is the draw, the Super Bowl isn't anywhere in Arizona without Phoenix.

You're correct. Not only would we miss out on having the Super Bowl, Arizona would still be sparsely populated & barely a blip on the map if not for Phoenix & its surroundings. That's all the more reason to give the credit to Phoenix, and why sports teams & most everything else should have the Phoenix identity. Phoenix's rank as a major metro area & business hub of the SW is what helped make Arizona what it is today ... not hiking trails, desert scenery, or any of that.

I went to that concert last night at Hance Park, and was impressed by the crowds. I'm glad I stayed for Jimmy Eat World, even though I wasn't familiar with many of their songs because they sounded better than Gin Blossoms in my opinion. Too bad Super Bowl Experience has to be downplayed by that ridiculous giant Saguaro replica. Every time we have a major event, they always make it a point to display cactus, or refer to us as "the desert".

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I went to that concert last night at Hance Park, and was impressed by the crowds. I'm glad I stayed for Jimmy Eat World, even though I wasn't familiar with many of their songs because they sounded better than Gin Blossoms in my opinion. Too bad Super Bowl Experience has to be downplayed by that ridiculous giant Saguaro replica. Every time we have a major event, they always make it a point to display cactus, or refer to us as "the desert".

That was a cool show, Jimmy's lead singer telling stories about growing up in old Tempe was awesome too. I don't see a problem with the Saguaro. We live in the only place they grow in the world, most of us think it's pretty cool and we happen to serve a lot of drinks and even food here based on cactus fruit (Prickly Pear of course).

Do you think Denver folks get tired of being tired of being associated with the mountains? Or does Atlanta get tired of references to Peaches? LOL. Saguaros are the giants of the Sonoran desert being unique, resilient, and strong. I feel like there are much worse things to constantly be associated with but I also love our natural environment.

[OUgrad09]

Originally Posted by locolife

Do you think Denver folks get tired of being tired of being associated with the mountains?

Also, I haven't heard many people complain about the city's identity even though it has sports teams called the Colorado Rockies or Colorado Avalanche. Denver's identity is most directly tied to its natural environment, that is the Rocky Mountains. You could say much of the same thing for Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert.

If you asked most people to define Phoenix in a few words, they'd say "big city in the desert".

[locolife]

Originally Posted by OUgrad09

Also, I haven't heard many people complain about the city's identity even though it has sports teams called the Colorado Rockies or Colorado Avalanche. Denver's identity is most directly tied to its natural environment, that is the Rocky Mountains. You could say much of the same thing for Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert.

If you asked most people to define Phoenix in a few words, they'd say "big city in the desert".

I think that is pretty cool personally, we're in a unique environment that doesn't look like literally Everywhere Else, USA. Colorado and Utah have great natural environments too.

[Slater]

Identity problem? Nobody really cares, and for the ones that do, there's a lot more items on the "care list" ahead of that.

[OUgrad09]

Originally Posted by locolife

I think that is pretty cool personally, we're in a unique environment that doesn't look like literally Everywhere Else, USA. Colorado and Utah have great natural environments too.

Absolutely. The Sonoran Desert is an amazing, unique, and beautiful place. Perhaps one day people will know Phoenix primarily for its semiconductor manufacturing or something else, but until that day, being associated in large part with the Sonoran Desert is nothing to scoff at or disregard.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by OUgrad09

Also, I haven't heard many people complain about the city's identity even though it has sports teams called the Colorado Rockies or Colorado Avalanche. Denver's identity is most directly tied to its natural environment, that is the Rocky Mountains. You could say much of the same thing for Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert.

If you asked most people to define Phoenix in a few words, they'd say "big city in the desert".

At least Phoenix is actually in the Sonoran Desert as opposed to Denver which is on the plains.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by locolife

I think that is pretty cool personally, we're in a unique environment that doesn't look like literally Everywhere Else, USA. Colorado and Utah have great natural environments too.

Originally Posted by OUgrad09

Absolutely. The Sonoran Desert is an amazing, unique, and beautiful place. Perhaps one day people will know Phoenix primarily for its semiconductor manufacturing or something else, but until that day, being associated in large part with the Sonoran Desert is nothing to scoff at or disregard.

It's perfectly fine to display a certain amount of natural scenery when promoting Phoenix, but it goes overboard. It would make much more sense to show the skyline of downtown Phoenix, or even downtown Tempe overlooking the lake, instead of Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, or other natural wonders which are HUNDREDS of miles away. There is such a thing as overdoing it with the natural landscape scenes while pretty much overlooking the city/metro area where the Super Bowl is actually happening. At this point, I'll settle for a little balance.

[OUgrad09]

For what it's worth, a local Chicana, Native American artist in Phoenix designed the official Super Bowl art. This was the result, which I think was excellent and most certainly something to be proud of.



https://www.azfamily.com/2023/01/22/...art-la-morena/

[Ponderosa]

Enjoy it. This is likely the last Super Bowl for Arizona. State Farm stadium is getting long in the tooth and is a veritable dump when compared to the newer nearly two billion dollars venues in LA and Atlanta.

The Fiesta Bowl is as good as it will get for years unless taxpayers ante up for a new stadium.