[Source: Sadie Jo Smokey, Arizona Republic] — McDowell Road bounds five central Phoenix historic districts and representatives of those neighborhoods have told new District 7 City Councilman Michael Nowakowski that improving and revitalizing the thoroughfare is a priority. And Nowakowski is listening. Nowakowski on Saturday morning staged a meet-and-greet at Encanto Park Club House. “How can we best serve you all?,” Nowakowski asked about 40 guests. “How can we bring the District 7 office back to your neighborhoods?”
Resident leaders from Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft, Fairview Place, Coronado, Roosevelt, and Los Olivos shared their concerns and praised Nowakowski’s goal to give a voice back to the people. Revitalization results have varied in the downtown area, with some neighborhoods just starting to see success, those in attendance said. Some expressed feeling hampered by gentrification, land speculators, or a city agenda that doesn’t take residents’ wishes and concerns into consideration. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]