Formed in 1983, Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that has been instrumental in the rebirth of Downtown Phoenix. The Valley’s premier business leadership group recently celebrated 40 years. To find out more about PCA’s work, we recently spoke with Diane Haller, Phoenix Community Alliance Board Chair, who is also a partner at Quarles & Brady.
What are some of the major projects that PCA has worked on and why are they important?
PCA is an advocacy organization, first and foremost. One of our notable advocacy efforts was helping to bring the Suns Downtown. More recently, we played a major advocacy role in supporting the arena renovations by attending neighborhood meetings and raising awareness to support the Suns and the city in the renovation effort, and we were thrilled with the outcome. The Suns are a great example of the efforts that PCA and the other stakeholders have undertaken to create a vibrant Downtown.
PCA also helped assemble the land for the original construction of the Arizona Center and get the developer involved, and Arizona Center then became the first mixed-use project built in Downtown Phoenix. It’s under new ownership now and the new ownership is really committed to bringing it back to life. PCA has been helping to advocate for the rebirth of Arizona Center and helping the new owners make it a destination for Downtown Phoenix.
PCA also played a major role in making the land available for the Human Services Campus and facilitating the participation in that effort with the county and the city. To be clear: PCA is not the group that will solve the issue of homelessness, affordable housing and sustainable housing solutions, but PCA is a very good convener of stakeholders in this space, and helps to advocate and support solutions in concert with the different stakeholders.
The Phoenix Bioscience Core was another significant development where PCA played a role in bringing together the parties and the property. Today, we’ve got TGen, all three Arizona universities and Wexford (Science & Technology LLC), which is the first private building built on the Phoenix Bioscience Core Campus.
How much has downtown changed with help from PCA’s advocacy efforts?
In the ‘80s, a lot of Phoenicians fled from Downtown to the suburbs, so Downtown rolled up the sidewalks at 5 p.m. and went home, unless there was an event. PCA was formed in the ’80s when the city adopted a redevelopment plan for Downtown, and PCA has remained a constant player in the effort to revitalize Downtown Phoenix.
What are some of PCA’s recent projects?
We are part of a coalition with the City of Phoenix and the Hance Park Conservancy to revitalize Margaret T. Hance Park, also known as Deck Park. PCA is taking the lead for the fundraising and capital campaign to implement the master plan adopted by the City for Hance Park. Also, PCA has been an advocate and ongoing supporter in the initial construction and expansion of the light rail. PCA has also advocated for other methods of alternative transportation – ranging from a pilot program for scooters to the light rail.
Most recently, PCA played a significant advocacy role supporting the city’s bond election. Several of our staff and board members chaired and participated in the bond subcommittees and advocated in support of the bond at public meetings. Several of PCA’s advocacy initiatives are reflected in the bond package, including funding for Hance Park, arts and culture, housing, and transportation.
What challenges do you see, if any?
The challenges are always keeping current and staying relevant. Our committee structure parallels the goals of the Downtown Strategic Plan, so that PCA can act in concert with the goals of the City’s strategic plan. It has been several years since the Downtown Strategic Plan was updated – an update will be happening soon. Our major challenge will be to assess our advocacy efforts and our committees to make sure that they remain aligned with the updated strategic plan, and to seek input from the Downtown stakeholders so that PCA can continue to provide advocacy in the areas that are critical to having a vital Downtown.
