When you fly into Phoenix:

In the desert, things can get a little dusty…

And the constant sun has a tendency to fade things, so the safe color is brown.

We are working hard to add pops of color to enliven our downtown spaces

placemaking – [pleys-mey-king] verb The process of creating squares, plazas, parks, streets and water fronts that will attract people because they are interesting or pleasurable.

Traditional placemaking has included: Downtown Ambassadors & Clean Team – want it to feel clean, safe and inviting. Banners – share the downtown message, branding, events Flower pots, trees and other landscaping – bringing greenery to the concrete urban jungle Events to draw people - block parties, pub crawls, holiday gatherings, festivals

Current placemaking efforts are great, but are they encouraging people to use their public spaces?? What we need is activation …..

guerilla – [guh-ril-uh]; adjective  Unconventional system of marketing and promotion that rely on time, energy and imagination.  Nontraditional, low cost, highly effective.  Unconventional or outrageous techniques to generate exposure.  Maximum results from minimal resources.

Within the last two years, Downtown Phoenix has gained two new park spaces Civic Space Park and Patriot’s Park Key projects have also brought new users to Downtown: –Convention Center expansion –More hotels –ASU Downtown Campus –The Children’s Museum –2,500 new residential units –U of A College of Medicine/biomedical campus –CityScape – mixed use retail, office & residential space –Light Rail

QUESTION: What can we do to build a sense of community and get people to use Downtown? ANSWER: Activate the Parks

Pop-Up Park Began in February 2012 We bought a bunch of board games, borrowed cornbag (cornhole) sets, used an old basketball hoop and donated basketballs from the previous NBA All-Star event. Gathered a few blankets, camp chairs, books & magazines. Hired a DJ.

The results were better than anticipated!

We’ve expanded!

Little Library Began with one We now have four built, two more under construction Local artists are painting them Planning a book drive and giving organizations the opportunity to “adopt” libraries to keep them filled and maintained.

Public art where you least expect it - Trash cans Sidewalks Planters Banner Design Contest – asking the public to submit designs for the new Downtown banners

Events & Promotion Poetry Day Community Dinner Zombie Walk Trash Cans

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! FOR MORE INFO PLEASE VISIT: Or contact Samantha Jackson