Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Rhythmless city dancing to the beat of a different drum
Like MLA and our profession, downtown Phoenix is transforming itself! You will find much in transition when you arrive here, as noted by my favorite columnist, E.J. Montini, who made these comments in today's column:
"Downtown Phoenix has always been so tidy and accommodating. So unassuming. So quiet. For years, decades maybe, downtown Phoenix has been like the student who rarely speaks in class but manages to get all A's. The one who tucks his pressed shirt into creased trousers. The one whose sensible shoes are always polished. Downtown Phoenix kept its hair trimmed, its pencils sharpened, its notebooks in order. It never interrupted the teacher and always turned in its assignments on time. Downtown Phoenix was so reliable and polite, so conscientious, so dependable, that it went from being taken for granted to being completely ignored. Until now."
And, as in any transformation, things are messy. And noisy. And disruptive. So, I am writing to apologize for the construction and chaos in advance. I am very excited about what downtown will be. I ask that you bear with us as we grow up to become a "real city." We're even getting a light rail, and improved public transportation all around! Our downtown is coming back to life, and it's great!
You can find Montini's entire column at: http://www.azcentral.com/news/columns/articles/0321montini0321.html
Thanks...We can't wait to see you!
Jacque Doyle
"Downtown Phoenix has always been so tidy and accommodating. So unassuming. So quiet. For years, decades maybe, downtown Phoenix has been like the student who rarely speaks in class but manages to get all A's. The one who tucks his pressed shirt into creased trousers. The one whose sensible shoes are always polished. Downtown Phoenix kept its hair trimmed, its pencils sharpened, its notebooks in order. It never interrupted the teacher and always turned in its assignments on time. Downtown Phoenix was so reliable and polite, so conscientious, so dependable, that it went from being taken for granted to being completely ignored. Until now."
And, as in any transformation, things are messy. And noisy. And disruptive. So, I am writing to apologize for the construction and chaos in advance. I am very excited about what downtown will be. I ask that you bear with us as we grow up to become a "real city." We're even getting a light rail, and improved public transportation all around! Our downtown is coming back to life, and it's great!
You can find Montini's entire column at: http://www.azcentral.com/news/columns/articles/0321montini0321.html
Thanks...We can't wait to see you!
Jacque Doyle
