Posts Tagged ‘Will Novak’

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: Men’s 10 Meter Air Rifle, Women’s Table Tennis, Race Walking; yes its safe to say I’ve got Olympic fever.  Thinking about this year’s Summer Games in London got me to thinking, why not Phoenix? At first blush, the idea of bringing the Summer Games to a blazing desert inferno that’s not a world class City seems crazy. Though upon further examination, I believe Phoenix would actually be an excellent host for the Olympics and/or the Pan American Games. Games in the U.S. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be in Rio de…

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May 28, 2012

The Good and Bad of 7th Avenue and McDowell

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: As a new resident of the Willo neighborhood I’ve been closely following the new developments on the corner of 7th Avenue and McDowell Rd.  A few years back the corner was mostly dead with the only sign of life being My Florist Café and a few other shops barely hanging on. Today, the corner is being revitalized but not without much outcry from certain sections of the community. So lets look at what is good and bad about the corner. The Good The corner is undoubtedly more alive than it’s been…

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Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: I recently had the pleasure of driving across a large section of our country as I moved back home to Phoenix from Boston. Driving across the country in Spring was great and as a sports fan I had baseball on the mind. Along the way I was able to check out some stadiums as well as the urban neighborhoods around them. With at least 81 home games a year, baseball is an ideal sport to be played in a dense, active area. Unlike football, baseball is played frequently, causing a constant…

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January 30, 2012

Revitalizing America’s Worst Urban Park

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: Since I’m stuck in Boston until the end of February I’ve been unable to participate in the current visioning processes for Hance Park. From what I’ve seen, the process is moving along rather rapidly, but so far I’ve yet to see a plan that fulfills the parks amazing potential. Below is a slide show I’ve created outlining what I think it will take to make Hance Park one of America’s great urban parks. It’s a big vision; it will take time and lots of money, but its better to dream big…

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October 31, 2011

Bring Back the Ho

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: There have been recent rumblings on Facebook that Ben Bethel, the man behind Midtown’s Clarendon Hotel, may be acquiring the old Valley National Bank building and finishing its conversion to the Hotel Monroe.  That would undoubtedly be great news for Downtown, as a hip boutique hotel would be a welcome addition to Downtowns amenity portfolio.  The last few years have seen a fair amount of activity in the Downtown hotel market; new hotels like the Sheraton and Westin have been built, others like the Wyndham and Lexington are set to rebrand,…

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October 05, 2011

Landmark Shmandmark

by: Taz Loomans

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Ryan Glass: In August I wrote about “what is Phoenix’s landmark building”, and my questioning what it was that people would think of a snapshot-worthy sites in our fair city. The response that you guys gave was fantastic and particularly thoughtful. From agreeing about the Security Building to lauding the Luhr’s tower and even trying to buy my friendship by complimenting my favorite topic, Metro Lightrail, I enjoyed reading all your comments so much, that I actually decided to do something about it. Before I get there, though, do me a favor.  Go…

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October 04, 2011

Let’s Bring the Paris-Plage to Phoenix

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak: Fred Kent, President of the Project for Public Spaces, has said that in his opinion the best public space in the world is an annual month long summer program along the Seine in Paris, the Paris-Plage (Paris Beach). For one month each summer the roadways near the Seine are closed down, covered in sand and turned into man made beaches full of programs, events and games.  Every year millions of Parisians who are unable to leave the City for the summer enjoy the man made Riviera on the Seine. Paris’ Plage…

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August 15, 2011

Phoenix: America’s Desert Metropolis

by: Will Novak

Tweet Today’s post is by contributing writer Will Novak. One of the most exciting things about being a Phoenician is being from a place that looks unlike any other major City in the United States. Very few large American cities are in deserts and only two, Phoenix and Tucson, reside in the world’s most beautiful desert, the Sonoran. Phoenix needs to do a better job embracing the desert and leveraging our unique climate to become America’s and the World’s foremost desert metropolis. Embracing Xeriscaping In Phoenix’s early days its Anglo residents were strangely embarrassed by the Desert and the Arizona…

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Tweet Today’s post is by Blooming Rock contributing writer Will Novak: With the Phoenix Mayoral elections coming up in the fall and debates happening around town between the candidates, one begins to ponder about Phoenix City Government. The vast majority of Phoenicians don’t bother to vote for Mayor, perhaps in part due to the fact that currently the Mayor of Phoenix is little more than a glorified Council Member. Now is the time to consider switching our City Government to a system that will allow for a bold Mayor with great vision to lead Phoenix. Phoenix’s current system of City…

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