Effort underway to revitalize First Fridays on Roosevelt Row

• It's continued with downtown events and art walks at local galleries and businesses.

The intrigue: Downtown Phoenix Inc. is working with the city, the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corp., and others on a plan to "reimagine how Roosevelt Street is activated during First Fridays," Downtown Phoenix Inc. marketing director Skyler Scott tells Axios.

• That plan will make it easier for businesses to "self-activate," including by hosting vendors on their property.
• Public safety in the area has improved since the decision in April to scale back First Fridays, Scott says, reducing the strain on city resources.

Zoom in: Phoenix Councilmember Anna Hernandez and Vice Mayor and Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington met with businesses, neighborhood groups, vendors and others this summer, city spokesperson Dan Wilson says.

• The city is also working with the organizations involved with First Friday to "reinvent the First Friday Art Walk experience," prioritizing public safety, building on the existing efforts, and allowing artist and vendor space, he says.

What they're saying: The organizations are confident the plan "will enhance the First Friday experience in the Roosevelt and Evans Churchill neighborhoods, benefit the small businesses who call the area home, and bring the nationally recognized monthly event back into alignment with its original intent," Scott says.

What we're watching: Organizers expect to unveil the plan this fall.

• Scott says she can't comment on whether First Friday street closures could return.