Sign up for “Copper Square Connect,” the Downtown Phoenix Partnership’s weekly e-mail update about events and deals in downtown Phoenix.  A new issue of “Copper Square Connect” will arrive each Wednesday, so you’ll have time to plan for upcoming concerts, events, etc.  You’ll also find new ideas every week on where to eat, party, and meet.  Afraid of commitment?  Simply take a peak at last week’s edition.

Well, the big question that former Arizona Republic columnist, Jon Talton, asks is, “why does the Wall Street Journal cover certain Phoenix issues in more depth than our local press?”  Two recent examples (both real estate related): the Mortgages Ltd. affair and Le-Nature tenant-in-common investment (now the “big white elephant,” literally and figuratively, at 615 N. 48th St.).

According to the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department has a number of facilities listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register.  Those highlighted in orange are landmark properties of exceptional significance.  Those highlighted in red are parks with historic properties having the most severe condition issues.

Staff in both departments have said they plan to meet regularly to discuss the status of ongoing projects.  Both departments plan to track their joint City of Phoenix bond projects together during the next five year bond cycle and will continue to explore federal, state, non-profit, and private sector funding sources to leverage city funding for historic projects.

How can you help?  Attend one of the public meetings to be set up in June and July by Parks and Recreation to garner feedback and ideas (now that the Phoenix Parks & Preserve Initiative passed handily by voters).  Also, learn more about the Phoenix Parks and Conservation Foundation, a recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organization that raises funds to help renovate existing parks and acquire new parks and preserves. 

CD = Construction Date; PS = Period of Significance.

The Phoenix Public Transit Department is celebrating the upcoming July 28 launch of its new DASH routes and the bold, newly painted DASH buses by holding a contest that asks people to tell them their favorite places in Downtown Phoenix.  The contest begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 21 and ends at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28.  The department will post illustrations of the new bus paint schemes along with a contest ballot box at the courtyard kiosk at Central Station (Central Avenue and Van Buren Street).

People are encouraged to stop by the kiosk to check out the new bus paint schemes, which include bold new colors and decals of various activities available in Downtown Phoenix.  The decals portray all facets of downtown ranging from work and play to education and dining.  Some decals include a cupcake icon to represent bakeries, a bistro icon to represent restaurants, and music notes to represent musical attractions.

While checking out the new bus paint schemes, people can enter to win several Downtown Phoenix-themed prizes by simply submitting a favorite downtown restaurant, school, sports complex, cultural attraction, or retailer.  The contest is open to all ages, and participants need not be present to win but must include contact information on their entries to be eligible.  Submissions are limited to one per person, must be completed and submitted during regular business hours of operation (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday) and must be turned in no later than 11 a.m. on July 28.  [Note: For complete details, click here.]

[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic] — A plan to locate the county’s major transit and planning agencies in downtown Phoenix is on life support following the Phoenix City Council’s opposition to tax breaks for the project.  For more than a year, the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Regional Public Transportation Authority, and Metro light rail have discussed sharing a building, hoping co-locating would lead to cost savings and better cooperation between the agencies.  A fourth agency, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, is also participating.

An initial effort to construct a building at taxpayer expense failed when elected officials balked at the high price tag.  Earlier this year, focus shifted to buying an existing building somewhere in downtown Phoenix.  Now that effort is collapsing as well.  The board of Metro light rail voted Wednesday to reject a proposal to move to 210 E. Earll Drive, the consensus pick of MAG and RPTA.  Metro found that its share of the building would be $30.8 million, or 15% higher than the cost remaining at their current location in the 101 Building downtown.

The cost to move into the new building was higher than expected because Mayor Phil Gordon and a majority of the council oppose allowing the agencies to lease the building from Phoenix at a discounted rate.  Gordon might support such an agreement if the location were closer to downtown Phoenix, a spokesman said.  The council has a policy of not allowing the tax break, known as the government property lease excise tax, outside the downtown core.  MAG and RPTA are meeting this week and next to discus the Earll location.  Unless a new spot is agreed upon by December, the agencies will likely be on their own, officials said.

[Source: William H. Frey, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution] — Newly released U.S. Census Bureau population data for U.S. cities show a new twist on a well-known theme that could be good news for older cities hoping to reverse population declines of the past.  The familiar part of the report indicates that most of the nation’s fastest growing cities are located in the South and interior West.  Places like McKinney, TX; North Las Vegas, NV; and Cary, NC, are registering growth rates that cities in baseball’s “American League Central” division (e.g., Detroit, Cleveland, Kansas City) can only dream about.  But the new estimates also show a clear retrenchment of the old “Snowbelt to Sunbelt” population surge, a turnaround that has brought modest gains to many older and coastal cities that lost population earlier in the decade.

Population trends in the nation’s nine largest cities (those with over one million residents) offer a glimpse at the story (Table 1).  Three of these — Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego — flipped from population declines to gains in the past year, while their more high-flying sunbelt counterparts — Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas — showed reduced levels of growth.  The growth slowdowns in Houston and Phoenix were substantial, while at the same time, Chicago’s modest gain was the first registered since 2001.  Another notable flip occurred in Boston, which last year became the fastest growing city in the Northeast, after losing population the year before.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Starbucks has not identified which 600 stores it plans to close between now and March 2009, but the news is “filtering” through baristas, the press, and others.  If you know of a Starbucks that’s closing, let the Seattle Times know (as they’re compiling a nationwide Google map).  And for coffee alternatives in our fair city and state, click here.

On July 29, find out what’s happening in south downtown Phoenix, otherwise known as SoDo.  Sponsored by SKY Marketing & Urban Affair, the informal discussion will be led by Lyle Plocher featuring several SoDo businesses such as Brickhouse, Royal Coffee Bar, Sweet Pea Bakery, Coach & Willie’s, Cooperstown, The Ruby Room, and El Portal.  And food is involved: burger, fries, and beverage special for $5.

• Date: Tuesday, July 29
• Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Place: The Brickhouse, 1 E. Jackson St., Phoenix AZ
• Click here to RSVP

Ignite Phoenix was formed in 2007 to activate spirited and stimulating dialogue around Phoenix’s emerging creative culture.  To meet others who are making things happen…to connect the dots.  There are no presidents, treasurers, committees, or dues.  The only cost are the drinks and/or food you consume.

[Source: Andrew Johnson, Arizona Republic] — The median monthly parking rate in Phoenix’s central business district jumped 50% to $52.50 from a year ago, according to a survey by commercial real-estate broker Colliers International.  Yet, Phoenix had the third-cheapest median rate in the country behind Bakersfield, Calif. ($40 per month) and Reno ($45 per month).

The five most expensive parking districts were New York City’s Midtown area ($585), downtown New York City ($462), Boston ($460), San Francisco ($350), and Chicago ($310).  Colliers’ annual North America Parking Rate Survey predicts that as rates increase locally, use of public transit will rise.

Where to park in downtown Phoenix (Downtown Phoenix Partnership)

[Source: Teresa Brice, Local Initiatives Service Corp.] — With the fall 2008 Arizona Town Hall focusing on Arizona’s housing woes, housing advocates are busy compiling background data and information to help bring participants “up to speed” on the issue before the town hall is held.  Regarding affordable housing in and around downtown Phoenix, here are two important recent documents:

• October 2007 downtown Phoenix housing market study by Crystal & Company of Scottsdale.
• June 2008 City of Phoenix staff report (in response to a proposal from LISC, ASU Stardust Center, and Downtown Phoenix CDC).