Downtown Voices Coalition Bids Farewell to Tireless Urban Advocate Tim Eigo, Welcomes New Chair

Downtown Voices Coalition Chair Tim Eigo (center) and Vice Chair Steve Dreiseszun (right) stepped down from their roles at the end of June, with Jeff Sherman (left) and Andie Abkarian (center) filling the respective positions. (Photo: Lauren Potter)

From ensuring transparency and thoughtfulness in downtown development projects, to passionately supporting the arts and small businesses – the Downtown Voices Coalition (DVC) has shaped the urban core in innumerable ways.

Developed in 2004, the community-based organization works to engage the community in bringing quality revitalization and economic development to Downtown Phoenix.

Meeting second Saturdays at the Roosevelt Commons Clubhouse — DVC meetings are a place where big ideas are discussed and ordinary people work collaboratively to ensure the community always comes first.

Tim Eigo is a longtime downtown resident, editor of Arizona Attorney Magazine, and led the DVC during a period of immense change in the urban core. During his six years as chair, the organization helped support multiple adaptive reuse projects, saved historic gems from demolition, and opposed zoning changes and tax incentives for some developments. While Eigo was at the helm, DVC was instrumental in supporting major projects like Valley Metro light rail as well as Civic Space Park.

From city officials to university students, Eigo welcomed everyone to the table with an amazing sense of humor, and always made space for each person’s unique perspective. Among his many roles within the community, Eigo also served on the Downtown Phoenix Inc. board of directors from 2013-2018.

Through all the changes in Downtown Phoenix since 2004, one thing has remained: the community-focused vision of the Downtown Voices Coalition. At that first meeting of the minds 14 years ago, a group of 90 residents, entrepreneurs, property owners and urban advocates met to discuss downtown’s future. That debate resulted in a comprehensive list of priorities — which still guides the group today.

New Steering Committee Chair and Phoenix native, Jeff Sherman, officially stepped into his role this month. Vice Chair Steve Dreiseszun (F.Q. Story neighborhood) also stepped down, with Andie Abkarian, a downtowner for the past 20 years, taking his place.

The next DVC meeting is Saturday, August 11 at 9:30 a.m. (there’s no public meeting in July), and as always, the community is welcome to attend, listen and make their voices heard.