PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Business owners in the Roosevelt Row Arts District in downtown Phoenix are raising concerns about violence happening around the area’s monthly First Friday event.
Last Friday, there was a shooting after the event that injured two people and left a suspect at large where shots were fired across the street from ATL Wings, located at the corner of 5th and Roosevelt streets.
ATL Wings’ co-owner Curtlin Johnson said First Friday is a major driver of business for the district.
“First Friday is an element all by itself. And we as business owners, we live for First Fridays. It’s a great day for revenue,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the shooting was not an isolated incident and expressed concern that recurring violence could damage the event’s reputation.
“It’s not what I thought would be a common theme for such an amazing event,” he said.
The owner of Greenwood Brewing said she has hosted a meeting to raise safety concerns, with a goal of working alongside Phoenix police, who have been present at every First Friday, as well as the city and event organizers.
Arizona’s Family talked with a spokesperson for Downtown Phoenix Inc., an organizer of First Friday.
The organization said it has been working with the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation to develop a plan to address crime and will share details later this week.
“I do wish that the problem that we’re experiencing would not exist,” said Johnson.
Johnson said the business community is tight-knit and will be meeting again this Friday.
“We don’t want to see First Fridays leave,” he said. “It will be very challenging for many of the businesses.”
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