No one is unaffected by the Arizona heat in summer. Keys to Change’s annual ThirstAid effort provides an invaluable service for vulnerable populations around their Downtown campus to stay hydrated. From May through September, their Key Campus, which includes 15 service providers, needs more than 100,000 water bottles every month to distribute to clients. This is an increasing collective effort that’s expanded to many local partners. Yet ThirstAid began with a much narrower focus. St. Joseph the Worker, one of the Campus’ many providers, first conceptualized the campaign to keep job seekers hyd ..read more

A recent economic study commissioned by Downtown Phoenix Inc. indicates that the effects of the Diamondbacks’ postseason games significantly, positively impacted Downtown businesses’ bottom line. The study found that home games played at Chase Field during the 2023 Major League Baseball playoffs, including three World Series games against the Texas Rangers, generated an economic impact of $107.6 million. Key findings from the 2023 MLB postseason economic impact study include: 336,370 ticketed fans attended games at Chase Field during the 2023 MLB postseason. Of those ticketed fans, 3.9% t wer ..read more

Elyssa Bustamante is ensuring Downtown Phoenix stays fun, fresh, and funky. Bustamante, mainly known as “The Funky Latina,” is an event producer, host, and DJ based in Phoenix. In 2022, Bustamante founded The Funky Latina Music Festival, an annual event highlighting Latinx indie artists, making it Arizona’s premier Latinx indie music festival. No stranger to the spotlight, Bustamante began her career as a music blogger and has hosted various events, including the pop-up concert series “Joy to the Polls,” the Latina-owned “Mujeres Mercado,” and many other live performances throughout Arizona. T ..read more

David Krietor has always been a trusted, steady hand.   In mid-1991, the City of Phoenix recruited Krietor from the City of Syracuse’s Chamber of Commerce to lead the newly created “Economic Development Executive Office.”  The transplant quickly emerged as an easy-going voice that shaped a community renaissance, adding residential housing, culture, hospitality, and services to Downtown over three decades.  Every city has public servants working behind the scenes with elected officials to move the community forward, and Krietor is one such figure.  Once established, he built ..read more

Welcome to Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s light rail series. This is your handy guide of restaurants and retailers that are within walking distance from each Valley Metro light rail station Downtown. The Valley Metro light rail system has several stops in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, and we’re back to break down another one. Whether you’re Downtown for mega events like the 2024 Men’s Final Four®, the March Madness® Music Festival, or you want to explore the walkable neighborhood, the light rail will get you there stress-free. Hop off the 3rd St/Washington station for nightlife, retail, and unique f ..read more

In 1989, Artlink Phoenix’s Art Detour officially launched in Downtown Phoenix as a Saturday afternoon event, which has since grown to include many of Arizona’s major cities and now encompasses the full month of March. Art Detour 36 offers a self-guided tour of art and culture events, allowing patrons to explore what they want to see when they want to see it. Every year promises ambitious day trips to far-flung areas, such as Carefree, Gilbert and Tubac. But, one doesn’t need to wander far for immersion in the arts. Don’t look further than the area that helped shift the perspective of Phoenix a ..read more

The 1956 opening of the Sahara Motor Hotel was a madhouse. Thousands filled its courtyard, overflowed onto adjacent streets, and packed the roof of the First National Bank building’s garage and other nearby vantage points. The motor hotel at 401 North First Street was a midcentury architectural gem with cast-in-place concrete and large expanses of glass, but it wasn’t the building most came to see. Sahara Motor Hotel postcards. Photo Credit: Arizona Memory Project George Goebel, the star of the self-titled NBC comedy series that ran for six seasons from 1954-59, brought his show to celebrate ..read more

Downtown Phoenix has the highest density of coffee shops in the Valley, with energized places to work, hang out, and savor crafted sips. Find your new favorite place to espresso yourself at these coffee shops in Downtown Phoenix. We’ve made it easy to find the coffee shop nearest you with our Downtown Phoenix Coffee Map! Check it out below. Fair Trade Cafe Ride your bike to this Roosevelt Row hangout and stay awhile. Of course, the cafe sells fair trade coffee brews and whole beans. However, you’d be remiss if you didn’t try their tasty pastries and handcrafted ice cream. Location: 1020 N. Fi ..read more

Downtown Phoenix’s skyline constantly evolves as an integral part of the growth of the nation’s fifth-largest city. It’s a feature of constant revitalization and recognizing what wasn’t there before. As Downtown prepares for new residents wanting a place to live where they work, play, learn, or create, the vision of many developments reflects priorities needed to accommodate that future. Features of these newer projects include ground-floor retail, walkability, nearby transportation options to craft compatibility within the communities, and a commitment to workforce housing units in five of th ..read more

Welcome to Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s light rail series. This is your handy guide of restaurants and retailers that are within walking distance from each Valley Metro light rail station Downtown. The Valley Metro light rail system makes it easy to get around Downtown Phoenix. Whether you’re Downtown for mega events like the 2024 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®, or you simply want to explore the walkable neighborhood, the light rail will get you there stress-free. Hop off the Van Buren/Central Ave. station for cool places to enjoy delicious food and drinks and fulfill all your shopping needs. Jacy and Da ..read more