Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is known for its lively atmosphere, drawing both tourists and locals to the city’s galleries. This year, however, it’s witnessing a transformation spearheaded by an individual with a vision for a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Amid the hustle and bustle of last month’s ArtWalk, a figure known locally as Dapper Dre stood out, leaning casually on his bicycle in the heart of Aspen Street. Instead of the usual scene of cars vying for parking spots, people were enjoying the open space, socializing freely in the street.
Dre is funding the periodic closure of this block throughout the summer, aiming to highlight the benefits of prioritizing pedestrians over vehicles.
“The perspective shift is just so wonderful. It’s seeing your friends in a space that is open and inviting, but we always just leave it to the expectation that a car is going to go by or need to park,” Dre explains.
Through this initiative, Dre hopes to demonstrate to city officials the potential benefits of investing in pedestrian and bike infrastructure. He believes such investments can enhance safety, boost the economy, and elevate the quality of life.
He also envisions the installation of removable bollards to facilitate the regular closure of downtown streets for events. Dre’s plan includes closing the block each first Friday until October.
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