City of Dreams Community Awareness Group key to urban renaissance in the Valley
Imagine downtown Phoenix--its streets
owner of Sukha Creative, a consulting
and buildings with even more amenities,
and design business, embraced an idea
shopping, living spaces and foot traffic
that would create a space where peo-
and more green space parks for chil-
ple can share their creative thoughts on
dren, plush pads and a lively
urban revitalization and inspire others to
by katie snyder
nightlife.
do the same.
These are all elements downtown Phoenix could see arrive within the next several years with the help of This Could Be Phoenix, a community urban awareness group focused on raising awareness about urban living and sustainability in Phoenix through monthly envision-
“Many people are intrigued by the idea
ing projects, educational blogs, and in-
of creating a more sustainable and lively
spirational showcases.
urban center but they don’t often know where to go or how to get involved to
Quinn Whissen & Ryan Tempest
“Community revitalization cannot be
make it happen,” said Whissen. “This
limited to the input of landlords and
Could Be Phoenix is a creative outlet
business owners,” said Ryan Tempest,
that allows people, visionaries to explore
architect at Studio Ma in downtown
their dreams for the city and potentially
Phoenix and co-founder of This Could
make them a reality.”
Be Phoenix. “We want to bring the entire community together and re-envision the
The approach made by the website and
future of downtown Phoenix.”
through social media is to first get input from the public and residents of down-
24 | Issue 3 | november 2013 - www.localrevibe.com
The project began earlier this year when
town Phoenix on their own city. Individ-
Tempest and partner Quinn Whissen,
uals, groups can then envision the proj-