Hosting a party with one million people on the guest list is no big deal for Downtown Phoenix. In fact, this is what we do well, according to Terry Madeksza, vice president of Downtown Phoenix Inc.
“We’re opening doors now,” Madeksza said. “We have a downtown that can deliver.”
When Valley residents and visitors arrive at Super Bowl Central in Downtown Phoenix – complete with a 12-block pedestrian zone, free concerts, fireworks and even a rock climbing wall – most will never know the people or planning behind this monumental event.
From authoring a parking and transportation plan to helping with music programming, concessions and even obtaining the special event liquor license, Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) worked closely with the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and City of Phoenix officials to make it all happen.

Instead of functioning as three separate entities, members of each agency came together as a team, according to Paul Blue, deputy city manager for the City of Phoenix. This allowed an unprecedented level of collaboration.
“The alignment of our goals is so tightly woven together, we’re simply divvying up the work to achieve the best possible outcome,” Blue said.
That common goal is providing an awesome Super Bowl Central experience and positive lasting impression of downtown, not just for visitors, but the region as a whole.
During the planning process Madeksza spent countless hours advocating on behalf of businesses and residents, managing parking lot inventories, deploying Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors, generating site maps and “all the other things nobody else thinks of.”
“It’s personal and professional for me,” Madeksza said. “I have so much passion for this.”
Now that all the pieces are in place, Downtown Phoenix is ready and local residents, city officials and business leaders couldn’t be more proud.