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.

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The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats are headed to their third straight Sweet 16 after dispatching Utah State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

State of play: No. 1 seed UofA beat the No. 9 seed Aggies 78-66 in San Diego yesterday

Zoom in: Utah State was persistent in the second half, narrowing the Cats' lead to four points and keeping the game too close for comfort until UofA pulled away in the final minutes.

• Big man Motiejus Krivas refused to let UofA lose, pulling down nine offensive rebounds, including some key boards late in the game.
• Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley stepped up with some big baskets and led UofA with 18 points.

The latest: Dave Chapin leads the Axios Phoenix March Madness Challenge on the men's side with 530 points, while Allison Childress and M.J. Holt are tied for first on the women's side with 440 points apiece.

What's next: UofA plays No. 4 seed Arkansas in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.

• The Razorbacks have one of the nation's best players in guard Darius Acuff Jr., a first-team All-American and likely NBA Draft lottery pick who averages more than 23 points per game.

The bottom line: It wasn't the dominant performance you'd like to see from a No. 1 seed in the second round, but a win is a win, and the Cats' championship dreams are very much alive.

Tell a fan

🏗️ The owners of Camelback Colonnade want to build a six-story apartment complex on the southwest side of the shopping center where there's currently a parking lot and library, which would be relocated. (Phoenix Business Journal)

🚨 Emergency responders treated 400 people for heat-related illness at Luke Air Force Base's biennial air show on Saturday. (Arizona's Family)

🙏 The children of Nancy Guthrie issued another statement over the weekend, thanking Tucson residents for their support and asking them not to forget about the missing woman's case. The 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31. (NBC News)

🛒 Trader Joe's plans to open a new location at Desert Ridge Marketplace, per documents filed with the city. No opening date has been revealed. (Phoenix New Times)

The Arizona Humane Society is telling pet owners to take heat precautions early as scorching temperatures continue to bedevil the Valley.

🐾 Paw patrol

Check the temperature of the sidewalk with your hand before taking a walk. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.

🌬️ Indoor pups

It's time for our dogs to embrace the AC and spend most of their time indoors.

• Tethering your dog outside, even in the shade, can turn deadly if they get tangled and can't reach water.

🚗 Hot car danger

Never leave your pup in the car — even on a cool day.

• After 30 minutes in 70° weather, temperatures can exceed 100° inside a vehicle. When the ambient temperature is warmer, even 10 minutes can be deadly.

🏜️ Hiking halt

Dogs are prohibited on Phoenix hiking trails when temperatures reach 100°.

• Failure to comply could result in a $2,500 fine and six months in jail.

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