Close a short section of street somewhere to create a roadless gathering area for pedestrians. This will interrupt the relentless the grid that caters to the automobile. This will need to have access to light rail and parking nearby. Most great cities have this. This could be downtown, near the market, near Burton Barr Library, or near Roosevelt. In this area should be large trees, or artificial shade.
Have you seen the Taylor Street paseo? The part that's developed right now is east of Central Avenue just north of the Van Buren rail station, through the ASU Downtown Campus. Check it out when you get a chance.
