Hance Park revitalization to continue with new entryways and more
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The ongoing revitalization phase will focus on the western side. Photo: Courtesy of Fine Line Photography
A major long-term revitalization plan at Margaret T. Hance Park will enter its next phase soon with a grand entryway befitting a space intended to be Phoenix's crown jewel.
Why it matters: City leaders have long had ambitious plans for the park, but the 32.5-acre space just north of downtown hasn't always lived up to its potential.
The big picture: A planned $100 million park overhaul is in its ninth year.
- The project has already brought a playground and garden area to the park's western side.
The latest: The next phase will include four new stairway entrances from Central Avenue, which runs over the middle of the park.
- The park is kind of a "hidden gem" because it's not particularly visible from Central, said Devney Majerle, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc., whose affiliate Phoenix Community Alliance is part of the revitalization coalition, along with the city's parks and recreation department and the Hance Park Conservancy.
- The new entryways will make the park less hidden and more accessible, she told Axios.
Zoom in: The current focus is on the west side of Central, where plans call for a new splash pad, bathrooms, a "grab and go" cafe and parks department offices to create a "safer overall feel," Majerle said.
- There are also plans to put in a hill area near Central on the park's north side, which Majerle likened to the hills at Steele Indian School Park.
State of play: Construction is expected to begin in 2027, but the alliance has to raise more money first.
- Half of the $6 million price tag for the entryways will be paid with funds from a 2023 voter-approved bond. The alliance is raising the rest, with $250,000 coming from Arizona Public Service.
- The full phase I revitalization project on the west side is expected to cost about $45 million. The city has put in about $15 million, plus the bond money, and Majerle said the alliance still needs to raise about $18 million.
The intrigue: The fundraising committee envisions Hance Park turning into "downtown's gathering place" and boosting property values, per chair Tim Sprague.
What's next: The park's east side frequently hosts major events, such as those associated with the Super Bowl, next year's NBA All-Star Game and the upcoming NCAA Women's Final Four.
- Future plans include solar panel-covered shade structures on both sides, which Majerle said would create event spaces usable throughout more of the year and perhaps serve as an iconic artistic feature.
- A vacant firehouse will be converted into a restaurant.
- And there are plans for an amphitheater.