- Image by Steven Vance via Flickr
[Source: KTAR]
The Phoenix Suns‘ home opener against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night was welcome news to downtown Phoenix business owners.
“Annually, we typically see over 2 million visitors a year for events at the US Airways Center,” said Eric Johnson with the city of Phoenix, adding that Suns’ games are a big part of that number.
“Basketball season is very important to Phoenix. It brings over 18,000 people per event to downtown. Not only does it bring them for that event, but they also come to have dinner, have lunch, visit our cultural activities and museums, see concerts and other such things.”
The new CityScape development is a huge downtown attraction, Johnson said.
“They’re going to be holding some grand opening concerts and events over the next couple of weeks to try to celebrate the grand opening of the project and the beginning of the Suns’ season.”
CityScape will host a block party, with a free concert by Macy Gray, next weekend.
Johnson said, “This is definitely one of the peak seasons. It helps that the weather is turning, so a lot more people want to come out and explore the city. We have a lot more activities for them to experience downtown. Every year, it gets a little bit better.”
Downtown Voices Coalition 