New faces at CityScape including Urban Outfitters, Lucky Strike Lanes and one of the largest comedy venues on the West coast are hoping to help revitalize the downtown Phoenix area.
However, not everyone in the neighborhood is happy about CityScape.
RED Development’s 1.8 million-square-foot CityScape is boxed in by Washington Street to the north, Jefferson Street to the south, First Avenue to the west and First Street to the east. When fully complete, CityScape will house more than 25 establishments.
Jason Harris, the deputy director of the city’s Community and Economic Development Department, is optimistic about the effect the new tenants will have on the area.
“I envision CityScape being a real intricate part of downtown and really working in synergy with the other venues we have here,” Harris said. “Now when you go to a Suns or Diamondbacks game, you are more inclined to stay downtown.”
Gold’s Gym, CVS/pharmacy, Lucky Strike and Designer District were the first tenants to open, followed by Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Urban Outfitters and Oakville Grocery. CityScape’s lineup includes 11 restaurants and coffee shops, four retail clothing stores, a hotel, a salon and much more.
One of the tenants with huge potential is the improvisational comedy club, Stand Up Live. Taking up 17,000 square feet, Stand Up Live will be one of the biggest comedy venues on the West coast, Harris said. The comedy club has the capacity to hold large audiences of more than 800 and studio functions that would allow comedians to film specials and record CDs.
Across the street from Five Guys Burgers and Fries is Brian Oliver, the front of house manager for Tom’s Tavern. Tom’s Tavern has been downtown since 1929, and this year marked the diner’s 81st; it currently holds the downtown area’s oldest liquor license.
Oliver said he isn’t so keen about construction and new competition.
“Construction is bad for business,” Oliver said. “Road closures on these one-way streets diverts traffic away from our doors.”
Though Oliver says the tavern attracts a large lunch crowd due to certain clientele, he believes cheaper prices and bigger names could attract them away.
“How can we compete with corporate backing?” Oliver said.
CityScape, which Oliver described as a “monstrosity,” could put many downtown establishments out of business.
Harris acknowledged the frustration of downtown businesses close to CityScape.
“I’m not surprised to hear that businesses are unhappy with new openings across the street,” Harris said. “It’s an unfortunate byproduct of redevelopment.”
Harris believes if businesses could survive by evaluating their customer service and their menus and prices they could ultimately benefit from the increase of clientele coming through downtown due to CityScape.
Contact the reporter at alan.hersh@asu.edu
