Urban and economic changes are coming to Margaret T. Hance Park in the heart of downtown Phoenix. APS has pledged $250,000 to support the additions to Hance Park, including a staircase and grand entryway called “The Hance Park Gateway” project.
Devney Majerle, President and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc. and Tim Sprague, Co-Chair of the Phoenix Community Alliance Hance Park, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how the changes will strengthen the connections between the downtown community and public spaces.
This project will bring four key stairway entrances into the park to improve safety, accessibility and overall connectivity. These transformations will enhance circulation and visibility, while new landscaping will create a more cohesive and functional experience when entering the park.
“We are really focusing on the family friendly elements that are west of central avenue bridge,” Majerle said. “By rebuilding the staircases and bringing in just that grand entry way along with some slopping pathways and better landscaping to help shade, will help the park feel more connected to the community.”
There have been multiple donations towards this project, along with aps donating their $250,000, wiling construction donated another $150,000. These donations along with the 3 million dollars from the 2023 general obligation bond program, and a goal to match that number through more fundraising.
“We are now in the process of going to the people that have built the city and saying come in and be a part of this project,” Sprague said.
The park is scheduled to begin when the fundraising is completed, which is an estimated 18 months from now. The park will include splash pad bathrooms and grab-and-go cafes for guests. These are a part of the next phase after the completion of the grand entryways.
“Every city has a great park, and this is our great park,” Sprague said when talking about how the park should be viewed. “And we have the opportunity to have it expand and go through the rebirth.”
