Phoenix Pain on Main Street (Glendale, Scottsdale: live, restaurants, shops)

[TerryTurtle27]

Interesting article about Phoenix.

Pain on Main Street: Timing proves bad for Phoenix - USATODAY.com

[Ponderosa]

The recession had little to do with downtown being a ghost town. It always has been; it always will be. Dreamers have been tossing the taxpayers money at this sinkhole for decades. The 19th century model of downtown is dead (or can't make it here). Downtown is a destination - you have to drive there as few live there. Why bother? There are better entertainment options sans homeless and parking hassles in every quadrant. If the recession dooms a few of these taxpayer supported high rises then I say good - the market is at work.

[exit2lef]

Downtown is in the best shape I've seen it in during my 20 years here. Many projects have been delayed or postponed, but it's hardly a ghost town.

My biggest gripe after reading this: The Copper Square Ambassador interviewed, Steffin Newman, is not fit for his job, much less to speak to the media. If were staying in DT Phoenix and wanted referrals to nightlife, I would not appreciate being directed to suburban venues. Is Newman overlooking spots like Bar Smith, the Lost Leaf, the Roosevelt, Hanny's, etc.? The Downtown Phoenix Partnership, which hires these ambassadors, seems to be doing more harm than good sometimes.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Downtown is in the best shape I've seen it in during my 20 years here. Many projects have been delayed or postponed, but it's hardly a ghost town.

My biggest gripe after reading this: The Copper Square Ambassador interviewed, Steffin Newman, is not fit for his job, much less to speak to the media. If were staying in DT Phoenix and wanted referrals to nightlife, I would not appreciate being directed to suburban venues. Is Newman overlooking spots like Bar Smith, the Lost Leaf, the Roosevelt, Hanny's, etc.? The Downtown Phoenix Partnership, which hires these ambassadors, seems to be doing more harm than good sometimes.

I was downtown just this week. I agree that there seems to be more eateries etc than there used to be. I remain skeptical about the long term viability of all that though I hope for the sake of you "urbanistas", the people who come for conventions, the sports fans, and the occasional visitor like me that downtown flourishes.

[exit2lef]

You know, the interesting thing is that most of the improvement I've seen Downtown is not related to huge projects. It's small stuff coming from entrepreneurs. That's why it didn't break my heart when the Coyotes and Cardinals went out to Glendale. Those types of attractions bring a concentrated mass of people Downtown all at once, but they don't often linger and aren't around enough to sustain the area. Little restaurants, bars, shops, etc. are ultimately what I think make more of a difference, and that's what we've got more of these days.

[Ponderosa]

In my time here I have endured the annual visits of relatives and old friends from back in the old country. It is interesting that as I took each new one around the state seeing the sights, we never visited downtown Phoenix. We went to Tempe, dined in Scottsdale and even took in downtown Glendale (for the lights at Xmas) but never visited downtown Phoenix. I hope that changes in the future and downtown is a place to show off. One thing we have over many cities is that our downtown is clean, safe to walk around, and new looking. Now we just need to have a continuous slate of attractions rather than just game night, symphony nights etc.

[HX_Guy]

Ponderosa, what sort of attractions would you like to see downtown that would get you and your visitors to go down there?

[Finger Laker]

I just took my first visitor downtown this past spring when I went to the farmers market with my grandmother

my wife has taken some people for matts

usually if you don't have tickets you'll get better elsewhere

i've just started to go out and try some of the newer bars & restaurants down there

[ArizonaBear]

To those of us who have (well deserved) gripes about parking, etc.--------it would not surprise me to see the downtown area revitalize when the Light Rail starts up.

[MaxPower123]

We have a rotating restaurant?!?!