Phoenix Community Alliance Has Spent 40 Years Working To Create a Stronger Downtown for a Better Phoenix

Six Degrees of PCA Connectivity (in the Warehouse District)!\n\nThanks to Juan Kingsbury, the Warehouse District Council (WDC) secured Galvanize Phoenix\u2014an adaptive reuse success story\u2014as the meeting location. Though summer tends to slow things down, the agenda showed plenty of energy and engagement from stakeholders and PCA Members behind the scenes.\n\n\ud83d\udfe1 June 19 marked the 20th anniversary of CCBG Architects' relocation to the Warehouse District.\n\n\ud83d\udd35 The City of Phoenix recently approved the street abandonment of Taylor Street between 1st and 3rd Streets to allow ASU to use it as pedestrian infrastructure. The closure creates an uninterrupted paseo between 1st Avenue and 3rd Street. \n\n\ud83d\udfe1 At the start of June, Joel Koester started as Visit Phoenix's Sports & Events Commission Executive Director to bring more major sporting and entertainment events to the region. Before its formation in 2024, Phoenix was the largest city in the nation without such a commission. \n\nAfterward, Kingsbury gave remaining attendees a tour of the Galvanize space to showcase the unique intersection of business and culture. PCA also observed Member connectivity throughout, such as Horizon Strategies using the venue as office space, and the artwork on display provided by 9 The Gallery, which was available to purchase.\n\nLike our Committees, the Council is taking July off. \ud83e\uddf3 We'll see everybody in August! \ud83d\udc4b \n\nThanks, Juan, for opening Galvanize's doors to stakeholders!

The Arizona Diamondbacks' home is in Downtown Phoenix! \u26be \n \nThe Diamondbacks have been a driving force in Downtown for 27 years\u2014generating $5.4B in GDP, supporting local businesses, and creating lasting community impact.\n \nDowntown sees 6 million visitors annually, and nearly half of those attend events at @ChaseField. The forthcoming renovations of the County-owned stadium guarantee its viability as a venue for future baseball games, concerts, and other major events in our revitalized core.\n \nWith new legislation securing their future at Chase Field for 30 more years, the @DBacks will continue fueling economic growth, local pride, and the vibrancy of

\ud83c\udf07 Just toured the Phoenix Bioscience Core with the Phoenix Community Alliance, and left inspired.\nThis wasn't just a networking event, it was a glimpse into how cities can heal.\nWe explored the future of the PBC campus, met leaders shaping downtown development, and got a taste of something I loved: artistic collaborations that bring science and research to life through local artists. \ud83c\udfa8\ud83e\uddec\nAs a regenerative medicine doctor, I believe true healing doesn't start with treatment, it starts upstream. It starts in policy, advocacy, environment, and imagination.\nWe don't just need better interventions, we need healthier systems.\nThis event reminded me that we don't have to build towers of progress alone\u2014we can build bridges between disciplines, communities, and visions for what's possible.\nLet's keep shaping a regenerative city\u2014together. \ud83d\udca1\ud83c\udf09\n

Did you hear the news? Engaging Member presentations are a cornerstone of PCA's Advocacy Committee Meetings this month, and every month.\n\nWith this month's programming centered around the most timely Greater Downtown initiatives, these highlights only scratch the surface of why Members actively engage to connect and advocate for their community.\n\nThere's a Committee for everyone to join, covering arts and culture, education partnerships, housing advancement, and more. The only thing missing is your voice.\n\nConnect with Alex Molina at amolina@dtphx.org to learn how to engage as a potential or active PCA Member.\n\nLearn more about the conversations that our PCA membership facilitated below.\n\nP.S. Don't forget, PCA Advocacy Committees take a break in July! We'll see you in August.

Dick Snell's life and times touched many organizations where he worked or volunteered his time to improve his community. One such organization was Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA). \n\nIn addition to serving as a partner at Snell & Wilmer and past Pinnacle West Capital Corp chairman, he served as a Past Board Chair of Phoenix Community Alliance. \n\nPCA's work is often the behind-the-scenes work of Downtown Phoenix, and his quiet service to the community fit our organization's ethos perfectly. \n\nOur Immediate Past Board Chair, Mo Stein, served with Snell and witnessed his leadership and trademark stoicism firsthand. He credits Dick Snell with eventually putting him on the path to serving as PCA Board Chair in 2014. \n\nTo mark Dick Snell's passing, he wanted to share his experience and memories of a transformational PCA relationship: \n\n\"I remember Dick Snell as a leader of PCA. He presided over incredible growth and led the organization in tackling many important topics.\n\nAs our Board Chair, I remember him getting so much done with so few words. When he spoke, it was clear, decisive, and directional. Even though he seemed to have a hard exterior, I found him easy to reach and had many conversations with him.\n\nIn those years, PCA Members were all members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee is where the work was done. I was doing a lot of work, particularly with Capitol Mall planning. One day, I asked Barry [Starr] if he thought I could be on the Executive Committee. He responded to \u201cLet me talk to Dick,\u201d who immediately said, \"Yes, absolutely.\" \n\nThose were years when every major law firm, accounting firm, bank, healthcare provider, the Phoenix Suns, and newspaper had a seat on the Executive Committee. For a young guy to be in the room where it happened with those leaders was a remarkable experience, and I never forgot it. I believe it was one of those steps that made my growth as a leader possible.\"\n\nPCA conveys its thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Meet a few of ONE Community's \"Local Heroes!\" \ud83d\ude4c \ud83c\udf08 \n\nEarlier this month, ONE Community unveiled its list of \"Local Heroes\" who will be recognized at its signature Spotlight on Success Local Heroes Award event on Friday, October 17th, at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix \u2014 including several PCA Members among this year's honorees.\n\nThe luncheon showcases local stakeholders who have significantly impacted their fields and ensures Arizona reflects a state that respects and protects everyone. According to ONE Community, these heroes \"represent the best of us and are an important reminder during these tumultuous times that progress is possible.\" \n\nThe PCA Members & Local Heroes Awardees include:\n\ud83d\udd35 Debbie Castaldo, Sr. Vice President, Corporate & Community Impact, and Executive Director, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation\n\ud83d\udd35 Oscar de Las Salas, Client Relationships Manager, Gensler\n\nIndividual and corporate Spotlight on Success Awards tickets are available at ONECommunity.com.