Plans are to bring Big, Flashy signs into downtown Phoenix--comments? (Glendale: apartments, neighborhood)

[TootsieWootsie]

I'd be curious as to what the Phoenix natives feel about the plans to bring big, flashy neon signs downtown and placed in Phoenix?
Will this work? Will it ugly-fy the city? Is it worth the effort ultimately is the real question.

Here is the article:

Big flashy signs aim to energize Phoenix sports district

[Ponderosa]

They look great out at Westgate. Makes it look modern, techy, trendy. Downtown could use all of that to help get rid of its dying, dead, no vibrancy feel.

[mhouse2001]

I would argue that downtown does need something 'sparkly' added to it, but when I went to the UofPhx stadium area in Glendale, I was overwhelmed. However, it couldn't compare to what confronts a fan in Chase Field. I thought the electronic bombardment was too much to handle and have never returned. Yes, apparently, it makes somebody money. But if we're going to add something to make downtown livelier, it should be done with good taste and restraint. If that saves money somewhere, then funnel the rest into making the sidewalks more pedestrian friendly. We need vendors, small shops, and mom and pop operations mixed in between all that brutal exposed concrete and imposing reflective glass. Just my 2c.

Expanding... Ideally, the area south of Washington/Jefferson should be revitalized with apartments over businesses with small urban 'parks' in empty shaded lots. It is an arts district isn't it? Perfect location for downtown workers who don't want to spend their day commuting. How about making all those empty blocks south of Roosevelt and north of Van Buren the same kind of neighborhood? Make 'First Friday' seem like it goes on every night. It should! That whole area could be a wonderful tax-free or enterprise zone capitalizing on the existing art galleries and burgeoning ASU downtown campus. We can call it SoRo for south of Roosevelt. Practically every city has its funky hip neighborhood. Phoenix really doesn't have one, and that's sad.

[observer53]

As I understand it (I just heard about it this morning) they are going to be around the Jefferson St garage, put up by a company that was formed by the D'backs and Suns. It isn't as if they are going to be all over downtown.

[seattlecoming]

Neon signs for what? Suns and Diamondback games, and venues that very vew people attend? Brilliant idea, flashy Vegas-styled neon signs drawing attention to an already dead downtown. How about bringing more activity and vibrancy downtown 1st and then advertise it in flashy lights?

[observer53]

Just so we know what we are talking about:

Flashy signs aim to energize sports district

[Yipster]

Originally Posted by seattlecoming

Neon signs for what? Suns and Diamondback games, and venues that very vew people attend? Brilliant idea, flashy Vegas-styled neon signs drawing attention to an already dead downtown. How about bringing more activity and vibrancy downtown 1st and then advertise it in flashy lights?

This apparently makes too much sense.

I just don't get it. It's like Groundhog's Day Downtown. Phoenix loves to go all style, no substance, and it never works.

[TBCasino]

It can't hurt, why not?