Filed under: Arizona State University, ASU, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Events, Seminars, Tempe, Tempe Arizona | Tags: Astronomy, Lectures
Moonwalker to talk about future exploration
TEMPE, Ariz. – Nearly 35 years ago, Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Hagan Schmitt became the 12th and last man to step onto the moon. He was the lunar module pilot for that mission, and carries the distinction of being the only geologist to ever walk on the lunar surface. Photos showing him in a space suit – covered in lunar dust as he collected geological samples – are reappearing these days in magazines and on the Web as NASA prepares to return to the moon.
Schmitt, who chairs the NASA Advisory Council, will be on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University April 10 to present a 7:30 p.m. lecture in Armstrong Hall titled “Lunar Field Exploration: the Post-Shoemaker Era.” The lecture rounds out a day of public events to mark the official launch of ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration.
In addition to the lecture, Schmitt will receive the inaugural Eugene Shoemaker Memorial Award, presented by BEYOND, ASU’s Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science. Shoemaker, who was known for his pioneering research with his wife, Carolyn, in the field of asteroid and comet impacts, hired Schmitt to work at the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1964. It was at the USGS that Shoemaker established the agency’s astrogeology center where astronauts who would later explore the lunar surface were trained. At the time, no one knew that Schmitt would be selected for NASA’s scientist-astronaut program and later become a moonwalker himself.
According to oral history transcripts, Schmitt said of Shoemaker: “He was one of the foremost planetologists who ever lived.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of Shoemaker’s death in a automobile accident in Australia.
Among Shoemaker’s many contributions to astronomy was the co-discovery with his wife, Carolyn, and his friend, David Levy, of a comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994. That comet was named Shoemaker-Levy 9.
The Eugene Shoemaker Memorial Award will be presented each year to a leading scientist in honor of his life and work, says Paul Davies, ASU professor and director of BEYOND. “It’s fitting that Harrison Schmitt be the first recipient,” he says.
As a USGS astrogeologist, Schmitt instructed NASA astronauts. He has a diverse background as a geologist, pilot, astronaut, administrator, businessman and writer. His recent book is Return to the Moon: Exploration, Enterprise, and Energy in the Human Settlement of Space.
Schmitt also served in the U.S. Senate from 1977 through 1982, representing his home state of New Mexico. In addition to serving as chair of the NASA Advisory Council, Schmitt consults, speaks and writes on policy issues of the future, the science of the moon and planets, and the American Southwest. He is the founder and chairman of Interlune-Intermars Initiative Inc., where he works to advance the private sector’s acquisition of lunar resources.
His scientific research concentrates primarily on the synthesis of data related to the origin and evolution of the moon and the terrestrial planets and on the economic geology of the lunar regolith and its resources.
Schmitt received his bachelor’s from California Institute of Technology, studied as a Fulbright Scholar at Oslo and attended graduate school at Harvard. His Ph.D. in geology in 1964 is based on geological field studies in Norway. As a civilian, Schmitt received Air Force jet pilot wings in 1965 and Navy helicopter wings in 1967.
The Shoemaker Memorial Lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Registration and additional information are available at sese.asu.edu or (480) 965-5081.
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, Business, City of Chandler, City of Glendale, City of Mesa, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, City of Scottsdale, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Downtown Phoenix, Economic Development, Maricopa County, Maricopa County News, Mesa, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale, Tempe, Tempe Arizona, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Affordable Housing, Business Owners, Chandler, Chandler Arizona, Construction, Fair Housing, Homeowners, Housing, Low-Income
Greater Phoenix resale numbers tracking near historical norms
MESA, Arizona —February, like January, tends to be a poor indicator of the coming year. In addition, it is a short month, so it is typically a low month for sales activity, frequently being the lowest month of the year. For February, 4,280 homes were recorded sold, in contrast to 4,520 for January, 5,460 for a year ago and 7,935 transactions in 2005. This was the lowest February since 4,090 homes were recorded sold in 2003, which was the lowest month for 2003. So far in 2007 a total of 8,800 homes have been recorded sold in contrast to 10,715 in 2006 and 17,290 in 2005 for the same time period.
While the resale market is tracking near historical norms, the overall health of the market will become more evident in the next few months, which are traditionally the strongest for the resale market, according Jay Q. Butler, director of Realty Studies at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus.
“If 2007 is to show some improvement, listings should be increasing with a corresponding improvement in buyer activity. However, the activity levels should be well below those of the last few years, because the current market lacks the market frenzy to own and/or invest at almost any price and reasoning,” said Butler.
If the international economy and political situation remains stable, the general expectation is that the 2007 resale housing market should be a good year, but no where near the records.
Much like the ever-increasing sales activity of the last few years, the rapid improvement in prices has disappeared. The median home price has been very stable at $260,000, which is the same as January, but down from last year’s $265,000. For February 2007, 16 percent of all recorded sales were for homes priced from $125,000 to $199,999, 43 percent for $200,000 to $299,999 and 39 percent for homes priced more than $300,000. Last year, the distribution was 19 percent of all recorded sales were for homes priced from $125,000 to $199,999, 40 percent for $200,000 to $299,999 and 37 percent for homes priced more than $300,000.
The increase in the higher price levels demonstrates the importance of the move-up market in a slowing market. Since the greater Phoenix area is so large, the median price can range significantly from $687,500 ($665,000 in January) in North Scottsdale to $139,500 ($148,000 in January) in the Sky Harbor area of the city of Phoenix.
Since home prices have declined slightly from a year ago, the monthly payment of $1,300 is down from last year’s $1,320. Even though mortgage interest rates have been declining for the last few months, limited home appreciation and household income continues to raise concern about the ability of some homeowners to maintain their homes. This may be especially evident for those that have used some of the more creative financing instruments, such as option payment plans and initially low-interest-rate adjustable mortgages.
Because townhouse/condominium units are popular with seasonal visitors, it is not unusual to observe an improvement in February. Thus, February had 1,050 sales, in comparison to 850 for January and 1,260 sales for a year ago. The median home price has been very stable at $175,000, which is also the same as a year ago.
The median square footage for a single-family home recorded sold in February 2007 was 1,670 square feet, which is larger than the 1,620 square feet for a year ago. The larger size further demonstrates the role of the move-up sector in the local housing market. In the townhouse/condominium sector, the median square footage was 1,085 square feet, which is smaller than the 1,135 square feet reported a year ago.
- In contrast to February 2006, recorded sales in the city of Phoenix decreased from 1,645 sales to 1,215 sales, while the median sales price increased to $228,470 from $213,750 for a year ago. Since Phoenix is a geographically large city, the median prices can range significantly such as $139,500 in the Sky Harbor area to $305,000 ($353,500 in January) in the Union Hills area. The townhouse/condominium sector decreased from 425 to 355 sales while the median price decreased from $158,500 to $150,000.
- While the Scottsdale resale home market declined from 400 to 355 recorded sales, the median sales price increased from last year’s $575,000 to $600,000. The median resale home price is $687,500 ($665,000 in January) in North Scottsdale and $321,250 ($308,000 in January) in South Scottsdale. The townhouse/condominium sector in Scottsdale also decreased from 235 to 220 sales and the median sales price decreased from $285,000 to $254,950.
- The Mesa resale housing market declined from 655 to 460 sales, while the median price fell from $245,000 to $238,500 ($240,000 in January). The townhouse/condominium sector also fell from 190 to 140 sales, while the median home price increased from $155,000 to $161,400.
- Glendale decreased from 435 to 300 sales and the median sales price decreased from $250,000 to $242,850 ($238,500 in January). The townhouse/condominium sector also slowed from 65 to 50 sales, while the median sales price decreased from $140,000 to $139,000.
· For the city of Peoria, the resale market decreased from 275 sales to 235 sales, with the median price moving from $275,000 to $270,000 ($260,000 in January). The townhouse/condominium sector remained at 25 sales and the median price increased from $169,900 to $184,000.
- In comparison to a year ago, the Sun City resale market remained at 100 sales, while the median sales price decreased to $204,500 from $216,000. As resale activity in Sun City West stayed at 55 sales, the median sales price decreased from $243,500 to $230,000. The townhouse/condominium market in Sun City declined from 60 to 45 recorded sales, while the median home price decreased from $146,450 to $129,000. In Sun City West, activity improved from 15 to 30 sales and the median sales price decreased from $180,000 to $166,000.
- The resale market in Gilbert decreased from 290 to 230 sales, with the median sales price decreasing from $341,000 to $307,500 ($319,000 in January). The townhouse/condominium market fell from 20 to 15 sales as the median sales price decreased from $213,000 to $205,500.
- For the city of Chandler, the resale market fell from 400 to 280 recorded sales, while the median sales price improved from $299,900 to $307,500 ($305,000 in January). The townhouse/condominium market declined from 65 to 50 sales and the median sales price declined from $183,600 to $170,830.
§ The resale market in Tempe increased from 120 to 135 sales, while the median sales price decreased from $300,000 to $280,000 ($282,950 in January). The townhouse/condominium sector slowed from 90 to 50 sales and the median sales price decreased from $185,000 to $182,500.
- The highest median sales price was in Paradise Valley at $1,740,000 with a median square foot house of 3,840 square feet.
· In the West Valley, the following communities represent 9 percent of the resale market.
o Avondale fell from 110 to 70 sales, with the median price moving from $261,000 to $242,080 ($243,950 in January).
o El Mirage decreased from 60 to 45 sales, and the median home price went from $221,000 to $206,000 ($202,000 in January).
o Goodyear declined from 80 to 65 sales, with the median price decreasing from $289,000 to $270,000 ($260,000 in January)
o Surprise increased from 200 to 215 sales, while the median price decreased from $260,750 a year ago to $245,000 ($247,235 in January).
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Realty Studies
Realty Studies is associated with the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus. Realty Studies collects and analyzes data concerning real estate in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. It is a comprehensive and objective source of real estate information for private, public and governmental agencies. Its director, Dr. Jay Q. Butler, may be reached at (480) 727-1300 or e-mail him at Jay.Butler@asu.edu.
ASU’s Polytechnic campus, located in southeast Mesa, offers bachelor and graduate degree programs, unparalleled by other Arizona state universities, through the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness, East College, the College of Science and Technology, and the School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation. Visit us online at http://www.poly.asu.edu.
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, ASU Downtown, Phoenix Arizona, State of Arizona, Tempe Arizona | Tags: Scholarship, Scholarships
ASU/Morrison Institute Scholoarship Program Seeks Applicants
ARIZONA
STATE
UNIVERSITY News ReleaseJanuary 29, 2007 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASU/Morrison Institute for Public Policy Scholarship Program Seeks Applicants
Arizona
State
University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with The Arizona Republic and Tucson Citizen, is pleased to provide a distinctive scholarship program — the Young Steward of Public Policy. This program provides the opportunity for
Arizona high school seniors to earn a scholarship award and be published in both The Arizona Republic and Tucson Citizen newspapers. The first place award recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship to ASU; the second place award recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to ASU.
The sponsors of the Young Steward program are Salt River Project (SRP), General Dynamics C4 Systems, Arizona Public Service (APS), The Arizona Republic and Tucson Citizen.
This prestigious scholarship is designed to encourage Arizona high school seniors to think about public policy issues in Arizona and to promote the concept of “stewardship” — public leadership committed to doing what is best for
Arizona and its residents, regardless of political philosophy or personal gain.
Young Steward of Public Policy awards will be based on an essay about a public issue of critical importance to the state of
Arizona. Essays must analyze a specific public issue affecting the state and its residents and include specific recommendation(s) for
Arizona policy makers on how the issue should be addressed.
For information on how to apply,
Arizona high school seniors should visit http://www.morrisoninstitute.org and click the link entitled “Scholarship Award” or call Morrison Institute at 602-496-0900 and request to be mailed the application for this scholarship program. The application process requires submitting an essay following specific guidelines (two-pages maximum). The application deadline is March 15, 2007.
Award recipients must attend
Arizona
State
University.
This special program was established by Elaine and Richard Morrison of
Gilbert, Arizona to commemorate the impact of Morrison Institute’s now more than 20 years of public service and policy research. Information about prior award recipients can be viewed at http://www.morrisoninstitute.org.
Morrison Institute for Public Policy is an
Arizona
State
University resource for objective public policy research and analysis. A part of the
School of
Public Affairs in the
College of
Public Programs, Morrison Institute brings university scholarship and public policy development together for the benefit of Arizonans. Contact Morrison Institute at 602-496-0900 or http://www.morrisoninstitute.org.
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, Awards | Tags: Award, Football, Hall of Fame, Scholarship, Scholarships
ASU’s Jason Burke To Receive Post-Graduate Scholarship
National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Honors Burke
Jason Burke, a long snapper on the 2006 Arizona State University football team, is the 2007 recipient of a postgraduate scholarship presented annually by the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Chapter Executive Director Dan Manucci announced Friday.
Burke and several local high school football student-athletes will be honored at the Chapter’s annual Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort, 6333 North Scottsdale Road. For more information regarding the banquet contact Dan Manucci at 480-838-2046.
The consummate Sun Devil, Burke played in all 49 games during the 2003-06 seasons, joining kicker Jesse Ainsworth and defensive tackle Jordan Hill as the only Sun Devils on the 2006 roster to do so. Burke was a steady long snapper who made only one bad snap during his four-year career. A highly acclaimed student who earned Pacific-10 Conference All-Academic honors four times during his career, including first-team honors in 2005 and 2006. He was an integral member of ASU’s special teams units that used the services of a total of four punters during the 2003-06 seasons.
In 2006 Burke played in all 13 games as ASU’s long snapper while earning first-team Pac-10 All-Academic honors for the second consecutive season, posting a 3.9 GPA studying finance and marketing, the second-highest grade point average among first-team members. He was the snapper for kicker Jesse Ainsworth, who finished the season successfully converting a Pac-10 record 160 consecutive extra points, which dates back to the 2003 season. He snapped to punter Jonathan Johnson, whose 37.2-yard net punting average was a 6.9-yard increase from ASU’s average in 2005, the greatest improvement in the Pac-10. Burke was recognized as a Hard Hat Player for his work in ASU’s preseason winter strength and conditioning program.
In 2005 Burke served as the team’s long snapper in all 12 games. He participated in every game despite being hampered by nagging injuries and earned first-team Pac-10 All-Academic honors with a 3.9 GPA.
In 2004 he handled ASU’s long snapping duties in all 12 games. He snapped to punter Chris MacDonald who earned Freshman All-America honors after finishing third in the Pac-10 and 15th in the nation at 43.1 yards per punt. He was a second-team Pac-10 All-Academic selection. Burke also earned first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District VIII honors. He shared the team’s Clyde B. Smith Academic Award with Andrew Carnahan. Burke played in all 12 games at long snapper in 2003 and earned second-team Pac-10 All-Academic honors. He snapped to honorable mention All-Pac-10 performer Tim Parker who finished 20th in the nation and third in the Pac-10 at 43.4 yards per punt.
A 2002 graduate of Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale Burke was named first-team all-region at center in 2001. He earned the U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award in 2002 and also earned the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award in 2002. Burke lettered in football one year and was coached by Steve Belles. A finance major, Burkes parents are Paul (independent contractor) and Marie (executive assistant) of Glendale.
ASUs National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes
2007 Jason Burke
2006 Chad Christensen
2005 Grayling Love
2004 Skyler Fulton
2003 Mike Barth
2002 Nick Murphy
2001 Mike Aguirre
1997 Damien Richardson
1996 Kirk Robertson
1995 Justin Dragoo
1993 Toby Mills
1992 Adam Brass
1990 Drew Metcalfe
1989 Mark Tingstad
1978 Chris Mott
1966 Ken Dyer
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona Biotech, Arizona State University, ASU, ASU Downtown, Biotech, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, Community and Economic Development, Downtown Development, Downtown Phoenix, Economic Development, Education, Health, Health Care, Maricopa County, Medical, News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, State of Arizona, University of Arizona, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Back to School, Biomedical, Construction, Phoenix Biomedical Campus
Historic Phoenix Union High School Re-Opens as State-of-the-Art Biomedical Campus
The city of Phoenix in collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Medicine, the state of Arizona and Arizona State University opened the new Phoenix Biomedical Campus.
More here: Phoenix Biomedical Campus
Filed under: Arizona State University, Arts, Arts and Entertainment, ASU, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, US - AZ (Phoenix)
Art Reception and Presentation Focus on World War II Internment Camps
Phoenix artist Mona Higuchi soon will dismantle “Line of Exclusion,” her temporary artwork at Phoenix’s Verde Park that recalls the relocation and internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.
To mark the end of the project, Higuchi will discuss her artwork and the history of the camps during a free presentation and closing reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at the Verde Park recreation building, 916 E. Van Buren St.
Laura Stewart, Arizona State University curator of education, will join Higuchi with a presentation about Japanese American art created at the Poston Internment Camp in Arizona.
During World War II, the U.S. military designated “exclusion zones” in the western United States: individuals of Japanese ancestry were banned from those zones. To commemorate that chapter in history, Higuchi created panels based on archival photographs from the collection of the War Relocation Authority. The artist mounted them on the Verde Park fence that faces Van Buren, near the former zone boundary through Phoenix.
Installed at the park in June, “Line of Exclusion” is the final of six temporary works commissioned this year through the Artists’ Initiative 3, which is part of the Artists’ Initiative Temporary Public Art Program. In addition to Higuchi, participating artists were Aaron Cuthbertson, Holly Carpenter, Ron Floyd, Steve Merka, Donald Fodness, Daniel Hortung, Joseph Lupiani and Elena Lourenco.
Artists’ Initiative 3 projects are funded by city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Percent-for-Art Funds.
For more information about these projects and project locations, visit phoenix.gov/arts or call the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture at 602-262-4637.
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, Arts and Entertainment, ASU, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, City of Scottsdale, City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Community and Economic Development, Economic Development, Entertainment, Events, Maricopa County, Maricopa County News, Museum, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale, State of Arizona, Tempe, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Chase Field, Fiesta Bowl, Football, Fun, Hotels, Insight Bowl, Phoenix Hotels, Sun Devil Stadium
SCOTTSDALE RESORTS WILL CONTINUE HOSTING COLLEGE BOWL TEAMS
A long-term agreement to host college national championship, Fiesta Bowl and Insight Bowl teams at Scottsdale area resorts – and continue drawing their fans to Scottsdale – was approved by the Scottsdale City Council this week.
The agreement also paves the way for a new Fiesta Bowl Museum at the Scottsdale Waterfront, where the Fiesta Bowl will soon open its new headquarters.
The 20-year agreement aims to preserve a long-standing relationship between Scottsdale and the Fiesta Bowl while the organization makes significant changes beginning in 2007. Next year, the Fiesta Bowl moves from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe to the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale. Next year also marks the first time the Fiesta Bowl hosts a new Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, which will be played at the Glendale stadium every four years. Meanwhile, the Insight Bowl will move from Chase Field in Phoenix to Sun Devil Stadium.
Fiesta Bowl teams have stayed in Scottsdale resorts and practiced in the area for more than two decades.
The agreement relies on hotel room tax revenue to fund yearly payments to the Fiesta Bowl. The agreement calls for a one-time payment of $500,000 to the organization in 2007. Annual payments begin at $210,000, and include a second, identical payment when a BCS college championship comes to the Valley.
Altogether, the Fiesta Bowl would receive more than $8.2 million over 20 years.
In return, Scottsdale will continue to receive a substantial portion of the regional economic impact associated with the bowl games. Between 2001 and 2006, the estimated regional impact ranged from $165 million to $228 million annually. The city’s Economic Vitality Department estimates the direct return in taxes to the city over the 20-year period will range from $12 million to $15 million.
For more information on Scottsdale visit:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/news/2006/August/08-28-06.asp
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, ASU Downtown, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, Downtown Development, Downtown Phoenix, Economic Development, Education, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona, Schools, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Government, Public Affairs
New Alliance for Innovation in Local Government will be Headquartered at ASU’s School of Public Affairs at the Downtown Phoenix Campus
Two of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing excellence in local government have chosen Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs in downtown Phoenix as their partner and primary location for a unique consortium on innovation.
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA), based in Washington, D.C., and The Innovation Groups (IG) of Tampa, Fla., have joined with ASU to form an Alliance for Innovation in Local Government. IG will move its headquarters to the university’s downtown Phoenix campus. ASU was invited to compete with more than 200 other universities to be part of the New Alliance for Innovation in Local Government, and was selected from a list of 12 finalists.
ICMA is the preeminent local government professional and educational organization, comprising nearly 6,000 chief appointed managers, administrators and assistants in cities, towns, counties and regional entities throughout the world.
IG assists nearly 400 local governments in building and sustaining innovation by providing face-to-face networking opportunities and technology services in all areas of local government. IG will transition its 10 to 12 employees to downtown Phoenix from Tampa over the next year; the precise location of its new headquarters on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus is yet to be finalized.
“This is an early and important dividend on our investment in the new ASU Downtown Phoenix campus,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “By attracting this Alliance, the city and county enhance our shared reputation for excellence in local government and gain an important partner in constantly improving our services.”
“This new partnership is a marvelous opportunity for us to play an even more significant role in urban management education, in research on the process of innovation, and in executive education,” said Robert Denhardt, director of the ASU School of Public Affairs. He described the top priorities of the Alliance as identifying major trends in local government and leading practices that can help local governments address major issues, providing effective research, and creating a repository of information on innovative practices and the process of innovation. Janet and Robert Denhardt, who have conducted innovation research in the city of Phoenix and Maricopa County, are among the faculty who will be conducting research for the Alliance.
Because of their similar focuses, both ICMA and IG recognized the need for university collaboration in research and technical assistance, and ASU’s School of Public Affairs was the perfect partner because of its national and international reputation in the field of urban management. ASU’s Marvin Andrews Graduate Program in Urban Management is considered one of the leading programs in urban management innovation.
The reputations of both the city of Phoenix and Maricopa County as well-run local governments, the involvement of former city and county leaders as faculty associates in the school, and the strength of interdisciplinary partners from across the university, such as The Decision Theatre, the Global Institute of Sustainability and the College of Design, all helped to bring the Alliance to ASU and Phoenix.
“We are excited to partner with ASU, and particularly the extraordinary faculty of the School of Public Affairs,” said ICMA Executive Director Robert O’Neill Jr., “as we help shape strategies for countless local governments and regions around the world to improve the effectiveness of critical public services and the quality of life in their communities.”
IG President Bob Hart noted, “Our organization’s historical strength has been member networks that identify and share emerging technology and management practices. This Alliance will not only greatly enhance this process but adds leading applied research and analysis about local governments from some of the top academicians in our field.”
Phoenix City Manager Frank Fairbanks is a long-time member of the ICMA and recipient of its Award for Excellence, the organization’s highest honor, in 2001. “As ICMA is approached by communities throughout the world for examples of best practices in a variety of areas of local government, invariably we send people to Phoenix and to Frank Fairbanks,” said an ICMA statement when announcing the award.
Fairbanks worked closely with Mayor Gordon to promote ASU’s School of Public Affairs as a partner in the new alliance and downtown Phoenix as the ideal location for IG’s new headquarters. “Having the Alliance for Innovation in Local Government come to Phoenix is a real badge of honor in the city management profession,” said Fairbanks, “and it confirms our mayor’s and City Council’s focus on high quality, innovative services for the community.”
The School of Public Affairs also has named James H. Svara director of its Center for Urban Innovation, which will interact closely with the Alliance. Svara is a leading scholar on process, structure and governance in local government. “The strength of the Alliance partnership comes from blending the perspectives of scholars and educators with those of practitioners in public management and public policy,” said Svara. “Our special contribution will be research. Our faculty along with some of the brightest minds in our region and around the world will research the trends, issues and conditions that drive innovation.”
Dean Debra Friedman, of the ASU College of Public Programs, a critical ally of the project, suggests, “The Alliance for Innovation’s choice of ASU as their university partner signals the powerhouse of new ideas and strategies that we can expect in the future. ASU and the Alliance, together with their public sector partners, will serve as a global magnet for those who share common interests in urban management.”
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, ASU Downtown, City of Phoenix, City of Phoenix News, Community and Economic Development, Downtown Development, Downtown Phoenix, Economic Development, Education, Events, Phoenix, Schools, State of Arizona | Tags: Back to School, Construction
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State University, ASU, ASU Downtown, City of Phoenix News, Downtown Development, Downtown Phoenix, Economic Development, Phoenix, State of Arizona | Tags: City Hall
Phoenix Seeks Qualifications for Neighborhood and University Relationships Study
The city of Phoenix has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a consultant to conduct a Neighborhood and University Relationships Study for the area surrounding the Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus.
RFQ packets are now available and may be downloaded at phoenix.gov/rfq or picked up at Phoenix City Hall, Downtown Development Office, 200 W. Washington St., 20th floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003-1611.
The deadline to submit qualification statements is noon Friday, Aug. 18, postmarks will not be accepted. For additional information, contact Diane Nakagawa, project manager, at 602-495-5304/voice or 602-534-5500/TTY Relay.
Phoenix Arizona 