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City presents downtown growth report, highlights housing, transit and events as drivers
Summary
City staff told the subcommittee that ASU, light rail, residential development and major events have transformed downtown Phoenix into an 18‑hour economy; members requested follow‑up data on the largest employers and counts of Black‑owned businesses.
City staff on May 14 presented a data‑driven overview of downtown Phoenix’s economy, telling the Economic Development & the Arts Subcommittee that a combination of Arizona State University, transit, residential growth, bioscience and major events has driven downtown’s transformation.
Community Economic Development Director Ryan Tuhill opened the presentation and said downtown has shifted from a 9‑to‑5 employment hub to an “18‑hour economy” supported by dining, nightlife, arts and conventions. Deputy Community and Economic Development Director Xandon Keading framed five core drivers: the ASU downtown campus (he reported approximately 18,000 students), transit and light rail investment, residential growth, a bioscience core, and entertainment and major events.
Keading summarized recent investment numbers presented to the subcommittee: a total of about $11.6 billion in investment tied to light rail corridors, of which roughly $8.4 billion was private investment and the remaining public investment supported projects such as the convention center. He also said more than 10,000 residential units have opened since 2015, with about 1,700 units under construction and roughly 2,800 in pre‑development.
The presentation highlighted Downtown Phoenix, Inc. (DPI) programs that support a livable downtown: an ambassador program (71,000 people assisted in 2025), Clean & Green (trash removal, graffiti abatement — the team removed more than 107,000 pounds of trash in 2015 as cited in the presentation), outreach navigators and a volunteer platform called “the flock” that helps match volunteers to neighborhood events.
Council members asked follow‑up questions. Councilman Robinson asked who the largest downtown employer is; staff said they did not have an immediate answer but would provide one. He also asked for an estimate of Black‑owned businesses downtown; staff replied the city does not track business ownership demographics through licensing and will seek external sources for estimates. Councilwoman Pastor asked about unit types and future housing needs; staff provided pipeline counts and said lease‑up of recently opened units has been strong.
Tuhill described the downtown success as a coordinated effort across city departments, DPI and private partners and said the team will continue to monitor residential mix, hotel conversions and amenities that support daily life in downtown neighborhoods.
Ending: Council members requested follow‑ups (largest employer, estimated number of Black‑owned downtown businesses and a downtown strategic plan update at a future subcommittee meeting). Staff agreed to provide data and coordinate timing for requested briefings.
Quote: “We’re really seeing the benefits of years of planning and investment…we have a great foundation for continued growth,” Ryan Tuhill said during the presentation.
