From Flowers To Street Lights, Glendale Considers Best Ways To Attract Downtown Visitors

Published: Wednesday, June 8, 2016 - 9:27am
Audio icon Download mp3 (1.96 MB)
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
Budget cuts have led Glendale to rely on volunteers to care for downtown benches.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
Joann Chase, owner of Glass Creations Boutique, says downtown Glendale merchants would like to see the area revitalized.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
Glendale has 726 gas lamp poles in the downtown area designed to mimic street lighting features from the 1800s.

Creating a walkable downtown that attracts visitors to shops, restaurants and entertainment venues is a priority for many Arizona cities, including Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix. Now, the decision makers in Glendale are focusing on how to revitalize their downtown, including the historic square.

For 20 years, Joann Chase has welcomed customers at Glass Creations Boutique, her shop in downtown Glendale. “I’ve seen a lot of shops come and go,” she said.

Chase might have joined them if she hadn’t changed with the times. After the recession, she says customers weren’t that interested in glassware so she added what they wanted: jewelry, handbags and clothing. Now, she hopes city leaders will listen to her wish list for downtown.

“It’s gotten to look old and it needs to be revitalized,” Chase said.

She thinks more trash receptacles, benches and potted flowers would help. Other merchants have said similar things to council members. That’s why they addressed beautification efforts during a city workshop on Tuesday. 

In 2008, Glendale leaders created a plan and dedicated $350,000 a year to promote downtown, add security patrols and increase cleaning for streets, sidewalks and alleys, among other things. But that budget was cut nearly three years ago and maintenance has been reduced. Some planters with flowers were even removed and placed into city storage.

That’s where they should stay, Economic Development Officer Jean Moreno told council members— at least for now.

“It could almost become a worse situation if we’re not able to maintain it with existing resources and then we wouldn’t want to get into a situation where we’re throwing good money after bad,” she said.

City Manager Kevin Phelps told council members in order to be successful, they need to make decisions based on data, not anecdotes. He said they’re working to gather information from merchants and hope to present options this fall.

Business