Phoenix is named All-America City; bio & education key

June 19, 2009

By hammersmith

Phoenix is Named All-America City

It’s official:  Phoenix is an All-America City – for the fifth time.  National Civic League judges today chose the city as one of 10 winners of the prestigious, nationwide competition.  Phoenix was one of 29 finalists presenting at the 2009 All-America City Awards in Tampa Bay this week.  Phoenix is the only Arizona winner or finalist for the 60th annual awards.

A committee of approximately 60 people worked collaboratively on the presentation and award application, including 40 community members and 20 city employees.  Phoenix highlighted newly developed urban education campuses (ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus and Phoenix Biomedical Campus) providing an economic boost, parks and land preservation strategies and the city’s innovative library teen spaces.  The awards called for innovative, recent projects that meet major challenges and include the community in the process.  Participants were barred from using video, PowerPoint and visuals other than simple poster boards during their oral presentations.

“We are honored and proud for America’s fifth-largest city to be named an All-America City for the fifth time,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.  “Our collaborative, progressive projects have improved education and the economy downtown, saved thousands of acres of open space, renovated and built neighborhood parks and provided unique spaces just for teens at all of our libraries.  Working with the community means that everyone in Phoenix has a chance to help shape the future of our All-America City.”

The Phoenix delegation included Mayor Gordon, Councilmembers Michael Johnson and Michael Nowakowski, City Manager Frank Fairbanks and Deputy City Manager Rick Naimark, along with community members representing the highlighted projects.  Others presenting: a student from ASU’s Cronkite School and a medical student from the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix in Partnership with ASU; two teen Phoenix Public Library volunteers; business representatives from Latino Vibe radio, which supports library teen reading programs, and the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation; a Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board member; a young adult who has worked and volunteered for Phoenix Parks and Recreation; and a senior who is a founding member of the Sunnyslope Village Alliance.  

No tax dollars were used for any expenses.  US Airways, FedEx Express, SuperShuttle, the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership all donated to the effort.  The Phoenix Parks and Conservation Foundation and Friends of the Phoenix Public Library also supported the delegation.

Phoenix previously won the All-America City Award in 1950, 1958, 1980 and 1989.  It is the country’s most prestigious community recognition award, honoring communities of all sizes for collaborative projects addressing critical issues.

For more information, visit ncl.org.