How downtown Phoenix has changed since last time DBbacks were in the NCLS playoffs (restaurants, bars)

[marinezac]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Well, there has been more of a push to densify & build upward in recent years, but I know what you mean. Large regional firms like U.S. Bank & Chase vacated downtown Phoenix for the suburbs, and the NHL franchise owners want to put their new venue in the outskirts of Mesa (which some people call "centrally located"). Downtown might be growing and adding some new highrises, but having corporate offices & sports franchises in suburban locations subtracts from the central core.

Yeah I know what you mean and there has been a frenzy of new buildings downtown and in Tempe but I think the market may be getting saturated if you look at the vacancy rates. But still most people moving here are looking for SFH in the suburbs and I think the building reflections that but some do end up in low rise apartments in those same suburbs instead.

[KO Stradivarius]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Detroit of all places! That's a city which lost over a million people in the last 60 years, and has essentially become a ghetto. Hard to imagine their downtown is bustling.

The city of Detroit still has it's share of bad areas, like Phoenix does, but the downtown has been revitalized and currently has a lot going for it. A lot of the things that you often wish that PHX had. Maybe you should visit there to see for yourself before making dumb comments while pretending to know anything about it. It has had a poor perception in the past, so even though it's changed Detroit is often still disrespected by lots of unenlightened people like yourself, so who can really blame you? I bet you are fun at parties though!

The Tigers last won the AL Pennant in 2012, the year Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown.




(below) Rendering of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to Canada (est. completion Dec 2024)

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Downtown sucks less than it did 15+ years ago, but it's still lacking for America's 5th largest city. When people get all excited about a few construction cranes which will become 200 or 300 foot towers, that's a clear sign that we don't act anywhere close to our size. Even the smaller Canadian cities have better downtowns. I visited Calgary last summer, and I was impressed by how thriving & energetic their central core is. We could certainly use some of what they have.

Unfortunately the part in bold will never change, except for the Astra project. Even if that is built it's only ONE project with any real height.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

I just stayed in downtown Detroit last weekend at the newly renovated Westin Book Cadillac. I hadn't been to downtown Detroit in about 20 years, but wow was I impressed. So much to do. So many people out and about. Downtown Phoenix just seems sad.

The Riverwalk idea was brilliant.

The old Chene Park is fantastic.

Having all of the pro sports teams in the same neighborhood really makes DT Detroit special.

While it doesn't hold a candle to Vegas re the gambling venues, it's still fun.

Coyotes...er....Jets vs. Red Wings tonight, Chicago Bulls coming to town Saturday, Raiders vs. Lions Monday night.

Well, at least we have the World Series next week.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by KO Stradivarius

The city of Detroit still has it's share of bad areas, like Phoenix does, but the downtown has been revitalized and currently has a lot going for it. A lot of the things that you often wish that PHX had. Maybe you should visit there to see for yourself before making dumb comments while pretending to know anything about it. It has had a poor perception in the past, so even though it's changed Detroit is often still disrespected by lots of unenlightened people like yourself, so who can really blame you? I bet you are fun at parties though!

The Tigers last won the AL Pennant in 2012, the year Miguel Cabrera won the Triple Crown.

(below) Rendering of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to Canada (est. completion Dec 2024)

My, aren't we touchy? Congratulations to Detroit for having a revitalized downtown, and that's important ... however, what many of us see & hear about Detroit is a far cry from the impressive photos you posted. Sorry, but Detroit is known more for poverty, decayed neighborhoods, and urban blight than its improved downtown area. The city even filed for bankruptcy (largest U.S. municipality to ever do so). What kind of impression did that create?

Anyway, thanks for enlightening me about the city's accomplishments. Pardon my ignorance. I should have realized how much Detroit has going for it based on how the population plummeted from 1.8 million in 1950 to just over 600,000 in 2020, and continues to decline, even despite their great downtown.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us...-mi-population

Originally Posted by timothyaw

Unfortunately the part in bold will never change, except for the Astra project. Even if that is built it's only ONE project with any real height.

Even Astra has been met with delays, so I won't believe anything about it until it's built to full scale. That's what is unfortunate about Phoenix's downtown: we struggle to get anything noteworthy which doesn't seem to be an issue in many other large cities.

[KO Stradivarius]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

My, aren't we touchy? Congratulations to Detroit for having a revitalized downtown, and that's important ... however, what many of us see & hear about Detroit is a far cry from the impressive photos you posted. Sorry, but Detroit is known more for poverty, decayed neighborhoods, and urban blight than its improved downtown area. The city even filed for bankruptcy (largest U.S. municipality to ever do so). What kind of impression did that create?

Anyway, thanks for enlightening me about the city's accomplishments. Pardon my ignorance. I should have realized how much Detroit has going for it based on how the population plummeted from 1.8 million in 1950 to just over 600,000 in 2020, and continues to decline, even despite their great downtown.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us...-mi-population

Sorry, I apologize to Your Eminence and pardon his ignorance. I thought we were talking about and comparing downtowns here, and not population growth/decline of the overall city, poverty, decayed neighborhoods, urban blight, bankruptcy, blah, blah, blah.

The interesting point to me would seem to be how a city like Detroit, in spite of it's reputation and with such a small population vs Phoenix, still can develop a downtown that is better in many ways. But you do you. I've no doubt that you will.

[Sno0909]

Originally Posted by KO Stradivarius

Sorry, I apologize to Your Eminence and pardon his ignorance. I thought we were talking about and comparing downtowns here, and not population growth/decline of the overall city, poverty, decayed neighborhoods, urban blight, bankruptcy, blah, blah, blah.

The interesting point to me would seem to be how a city like Detroit, in spite of it's reputation and with such a small population vs Phoenix, still can develop a downtown that is better in many ways. But you do you. I've no doubt that you will.

And this is the point that I was trying to make. Thank you for saying it so perfectly. Detroit was just one of my example, but the US has many, many smaller cities that are way more vibrant than DT Phoenix.

[singlegirlinaz]

I rarely ever go to Downtown Phoenix but it is more of a true Downtown than when I was younger.

I'll echo what everyone else is saying though, it's not quite interesting enough to attract more crowds. I don't have a reason to visit Downtown Phoenix for anything special but maybe I would if it had more to offer.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

I'll say it again, downtown Phoenix sucks. It just does. Compared to MANY other US cities (big and medium sized), Phoenix doesn't even come close. And this is coming from someone who wants to have a dynamic city.

I stop short of saying it sucks.

Just not quite.....there yet?

We've attended many Suns & D-Backs games over the years. Grab some beer & snacks during the game....but....spending some time in other towns..Detroit, of course, Atlanta, LA, et al...

D.C. area....

After the game, ya got rock n roll, many food options, more drinks...whatever.

Here?

Copper Blues & Majerle's.

Went back to our "posh" hotel not long ago after the game. 11:00pm and the bar is closed?

Can't even get a bowl of soup & a bagel at 2:00am. Let alone a gyro or coney dog. Cheeseburger? Nope.


It's almost as if they want you to leave.

Or go to bed.

This town shuts down early.

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by Sno0909

I just stayed in downtown Detroit last weekend at the newly renovated Westin Book Cadillac. I hadn't been to downtown Detroit in about 20 years, but wow was I impressed. So much to do. So many people out and about. Downtown Phoenix just seems sad.

From the Detroit Free Press today:

Detroit ranks #1 in NHL cities for sports bars.

35 within 1 mile of Little Caesar's Arena.