by Patrick B4 This is not a very big leap. It just requires that we find some way to promote enthusiasm around areas that naturally pop up as popular gathering spots. My only concern is as Bob D3 illustrates about neighborhoods attracting vehicular traffic from elsewhere -- this has also been an issue in Arcadia and elsewhere. Perhaps if we had many loci of activity, the parking problem would lessen.

by Jim M18 To learn more about "third places," a phrase coined by author Ray Oldenburg in his boot "The Great Good Place," visit this webpage that showcases the talks of four Arizonans involved in the design and promotion of such local gathering spots:

http://tedxscottsdale.com/urban-placemaking-design-of-third-places/753/

by Tyler A Totally agree! Focus on smaller, unique places around the city. Turn them into great destinations.

by Bob D3 Um, er, the 7th Ave / McDowell intersection has become something of a nightmare for surrounding residents - it's populated almost exclusively with restaurant-like businesses that need a continuous feed of patrons - vastly more than the walkable/bikeable distance neighborhood can provide - and was allowed to reach that critical mass with no provision for how the necessary patron-count would get and stay there - blessedly, there's no significant take-out. HAWK-ing the intersection might provide a trickle of pedestrian relief, but the parking situation really is untenable - and this intersection is only about 75% rented out, One solution that's been built - a 2 block long surface parking lot on the northeastern stretch of McDowell Rd - is a rather hideous suburban retrofit.
So be careful how you envision your neighborhood enhancement.

by Will Novak All for this, but lets be sure to refer to the area around 7th St/Thunderbird by its proper neighborhood name, Moon Valley not the more ambiguous "North Phoenix"