The battle for Patriots Square has reached a milestone.
Supporters of the $900 million mixed-use retail project to be built in downtown Phoenix rejoiced Thursday night when the Phoenix Parks Board approved the design, 5 to 2. The opposition was not pleased, but did not feel defeated.
"After the decision I want to ask, how conceptual is the conceptual plan that was approved by the board tonight?" asked Chris Ibarra, co-organizer of the savepatriotspark.org group. "The plan definitely needs reworking, as some members of the board pointed out, and we are all going to hold them to that."
Hundreds showed up for the meeting, which lasted four hours, filling the chamber seats and forcing overflow into the basement, where the proceedings were televised. More than 60 individuals lined up to speak for or against the plan.
Supporters of the plan wore green buttons reading "YES" in bold white lettering. Several opponents displayed "Save Our Square" signs and dressed in devil costumes ridiculing RED Development, the company overseeing the project.
The plan, known as CityScape, essentially takes Patriots Square and stretches it over three city blocks. The outcome is a 5-acre strip that would house restaurants, a grocery store, offices, condominiums and an outdoor-event space.
Many in opposition were upset because they feel the plan doesn't contain a real park.
"Aren't squares for hearing and seeing other people?" Dr. Ruth Ann Marston asked.
"We thought it would be a new city around the park," said Alex Votichenko. "It has become a public-space issue and this plan uses the park for privatization, which is not right."
Former Councilman Calvin Goode spoke in support of the plan, reminding the public that there will be room for further changes - that the plan isn't final.
