A letter from Devney Preuss
Dear DTPHX Stakeholders,
Reflecting on our 2020 work plan, we recognized how important it would be in 2021 to continue to define and redefine our efforts in response to the unprecedented growth, development and progress in the Downtown area.
Our priorities were to support, promote, and accelerate the development that is changing our skyline, the evolving street level experience, and the addition of amenities that have led to DTPHX becoming a neighborhood, a connected community.
We were correct about our need to be ready to redefine our efforts, but we could not have predicted the reasons for the upheaval to our priorities and program of work for the year.
During a year that was wholly unpredictable, for reasons we are all too familiar with, Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) harnessed the powers of industrious teamwork, collaboration and an unbreakable spirit to serve the community we love when it needed us most.
At the onset of COVID-19, we pivoted from our business-as-usual marketing, events and business development to business support and promotional efforts that were specific to helping our Downtown businesses and Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) Members withstand the impacts of the pandemic, recover, and in many cases reopen.
This all-hands-on-deck effort was the most cross-department and cross-affiliate work we have ever done under the DPI umbrella, and some of the best and most important work we’ve ever done as an organization.
As we plan for 2021, flexibility and collaboration will continue to be the name of the game. We will continue to respond to COVID-19 impacts as well as the changing needs of our local businesses, and challenges that our community faces. We will continue to work hard every day to maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive Downtown, and ready the street-level experience to welcome back, with open wings, employees, students, visitors and new residents.
When Downtown is able to fully return to the distinctive, dynamic, and in-demand live/work/play/learn neighborhood and destination that it has become — we’ll be ready.
Devney Preuss
President + CEO
Downtown Phoenix Inc.
2020 Annual Report
Membership / Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) – Collaboration + Communication
Sent out the first PCA e-newsletter of the year. In 2020, PCA electronically distributed 33 newsletters to nearly 900 PCA contacts, highlighting key initiatives, relevant Downtown news, committee meetings and…
OPERATIONS – One-On-One Assistance
Connected 78 individuals experiencing homelessness with housing resources and other services through Homeless Outreach — a program administered through the DTPHX Ambassadors.
OPERATIONS – Clean + Safe
Launched an Eyes + Ears program, where Ambassadors help identify suspicious activities.
Membership / Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) – Collaboration + Communication
Relaunched a social media presence, with 135 planned social media posts on Facebook and LinkedIn, highlighting Members, news, events and advocacy initiatives.
OPERATIONS – One-On-One Assistance
DTPHX Ambassadors assisted 35,041 residents, students, employees and visitors by providing maps, directions, safety escorts, car battery jumps and much more. The Ambassadors are on duty 365 days a year.