Placemaking, which serves to capitalize on a local community’s assets and create public spaces that promote culture and well-being, was the topic of discussion at Tuesday night of Phoenix Urban Design Week.
Speakers discussed the potential of the Arizona State Fairgrounds and Hance Park.
John Drury, owner of Drury Design Arts, said the state fairgrounds have potential to be an active community space year-round, beyond the fair itself.
“I envision a live, learn, work and play environment,” Drury said.
He envisions the fairgrounds as a lively hub of greenery and shade, which is very different from the current sun-soaked asphalt plot that currently occupies the land.
Drury talked about his vision for the fairgrounds to be used as a public transportation hub to expand public transportation to other communities because of its ideal location.
The community expects changes to the historic Works Progress Administration Building on the grounds.
“The administration building is a major space in our downtown area that needs some tender loving care,” said Jim McPherson, president of the Arizona Preservation Foundation.
The Arizona Preservation Foundation, along with its supporters, will continue to work toward restoring the art-deco timepiece.
Phil Weddle, head of the Hance Park design team, and his associates have been working on a plan for the space since 2013.
According to Weddle, Hance Park, which spans 32 acres in the heart of downtown, is in the center of a growing community. He said 5,500 people currently live within one square mile of the park and three to four thousand more residents are expected to come to the area within the coming few years.
The plan consists of three zones for the space: a traditional park space, an urban life center and a civic engagement space. The goal of the different zones is to appeal to diverse community surrounding the park.
“It’s an amazing vision… a bold vision that needs bold funding,” Weddle said.
The first phase of revamping the park is expected to cost $35 million and will focus on the center of the park visible from the Third Street Interstate 10 exit ramp. The Hance Park Conservancy supports the plan and hopes to fund it through an even split of public and private funding, according to Weddle.
“It is crucial that we capture this opportunity. There is so much energy in downtown surrounding the park, it would be a shame to let this pass and not take advantage of it,” said Kris Floor, a member of the Hance Park design team.
Contact the reporter at Ava.Montoya@asu.edu.
