Sunday Afternoon in Downtown Phoenix...

[Finger Laker]

it is definitely getting better - however for people leaving a game it's hard to see the options as you drive in and walk around the immediate area

i remember the first game I went to just under 5 yrs ago - hard rock was charging a $20 cover to get in after a suns game and about everything else in that area was closed

i'm reluctant to go to hard rock for free - let alone at that price - then again this was around the time a lot of bars/restaurants down there were closing (i still wish that lienie's bar was still around)

[ABQSunseeker]

Let me say from the outset that I would really like new life to stir in downtown Phoenix. Like my new city of Albuquerque, downtown Phoenix could use a fresh breath of life. Maybe it's happening, but just as likely not.

I have lived in Phoenix and when not, have been going there for over 17 yrs. And I was just there recently. The overriding impression I still get of downtown is of urban desolation. Not because it is in decline or decay, but mostly because it is empty, especially on weekends. Sure there are new bars here, new restaurants there, some more construction. But along the way I've heard over and over the drumbeat of how downtown is happening. But it never quite has happened. When the Arizona Center went in the drumbeat was deafening.

If you've come from, traveled in lively US downtowns like NY, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and, yes, even San Diego now, then you know Phoenix downtown has a LONG way to go.

Let's see if it really happens this time.

[YAZ]

I was thinking "opportunity" when I created this thread. We parked at the garage on 3rd ave & Jefferson; walked to & from Chase Field. Normally, we park in the structure next to the Hyatt. We're quite familiar with all of the great places in the area. We enjoy making a night out of it, and hoping the new owners of the Hyatt make changes for the sake of "upgrade". Hint: Closing at midnight hurts profits.

Kudos to the AZ D-Backs for early starts on Saturdays.

There's a HUGE opportunity, especially along that stretch of Jefferson I'm talkin' about. They're workin' hard on "Cityscape", and I hope it turns out well.

How about a good old fashioned movie theatre?

Just thinking out loud...

[HX_Guy]

There's already a movie theatre at 3rd St and Van Buren. I know it seems far but that's only 0.4 miles from Jefferson. Downtown couldn't support another theatre.

Ideally...I'd love to see all of Arizona Center (where the theatre is now located) torn down and then a theatre built as part of the Jackson St Entertainment District, but that's not going to happen.

[ABQSunseeker]

Agreed HX_Guy, Arizona Center was a misstep, a suburban island.