PHOENIX (Arizona Republic) December 10, 2004 - As a document on paper, as a plan, the strategy for Phoenix's downtown is coming together purposefully. And it's a vision worth pursuing, an effort fitting for the nation's fifth-largest city with ambitions to be as interesting as it is populous.

The plan - and the process that forged it - is much more inclusive, varied and comprehensive than could have been imagined even a year ago.

It is not merely a strategy to land high-end commercial retail into the city's core.

It is not just a wish to attract more jobs and residential development to the downtown.

It is not simply a spending spree to help Phoenix's goal of convention business - or to compete with the Scottsdale resorts for hotel rooms.

It offers ideas to make Phoenix comfortable, more fun and more livable for Arizonans.

It's a strategy that advances Arizona's goal to expand its position in the knowledge economy, especially in the medical and bioresearch fields.

The plan reaches out a helping hand to Arizona State University and says: Come, join us. We want you, your energy, your passion, your knowledge, your future, to be a major part of our tomorrow.

It's a strategy that does not turn its back on the businesses, structures and people already there.

It affirms the importance of historic properties, including the warehouse district. It calls for links between new businesses and the local artists who already have played such a major part in the downtown renaissance.

It values shade, miniparks, gathering places, housing and multiple-use structures for retail, office and residential.

What's more, the plan envisions a place for everyone, not just the affluent in pricey lofts, not just students in dormitories, but those Arizona families of varied means who prefer the convenience, diversity and excitement of urban living. There are many who would - if Phoenix could make it easy and affordable for them to do so.

Think back to early this year, to the very first town hall on the downtown future, the one held at Phoenix Prep in the Garfield neighborhood east of downtown.

Tension was high. The mood was angry. Residents worried that city officials were about to embark on a typical rigid, top-down, developer-driven, publicly funded commercial renovation project.

They wanted to protest. They wanted to be heard. By the looks of the "Draft Downtown Strategic Plan" circulating now, city officials have listened.

In our view, this is a far, far better proposal.

Except for one item. It gives short shrift, at least at this stage, to the Hispanic culture and the ethnic diversity that are now a critical element of today's Phoenix.

If 40 years ago you could make a fair and reasoned argument that Hispanic culture was not a major element in the growth and dynamic of Phoenix proper, you certainly can't make that same argument today.

Look around. Mexican-Americans and immigrants are making inroads and contributions at every level of the local economy and culture.

Among the neighborhoods likely to be most affected - for good or ill - from the next 10 years of downtown development are largely Hispanic neighborhoods, Garfield, Capitol, Central South and Grant Park. Also nearby are small but significant African-American areas, Eastlake Park and Booker T. Washington.

Those, too, ought to be recognized in the downtown mix. Indeed, these concerns over ethnicity were raised numerous times in public comments after the Sept. 23 town hall, but largely unaddressed in the strategic plan revisions released late last month.

The downtown remake will not be accomplished in a single year. Realistically, we're talking a decade or more for some of these dreams to be realized. There's time to tinker. There's years of effort and expense ahead of us.

So let's not leave anybody out.