Phoenix mulling downtown pedestrian mall

PHOENIX — A pedestrian mall might be coming to the heart of downtown Phoenix.

The mall would be located in an area that’s become the most heavily traveled pedestrian thoroughfares in the city: The area near the Phoenix Convention Center.

Since the expansion of the convention center and areas around it, foot traffic has exploded.

“What we are looking at is how we can activate the street,” said Eric Johnson, Economic Development Program Manager for the City of Phoenix. “What we need are more retail and commercial and just other activities to try to activate the area.”

Phoenix is currently studying the idea and is asking for input from business owners, organizations and community members. The information will be used to produce a summary which will be reviewed during public meetings coming in the summer.