Arizona Attorney - September 2017

FROM THE EDITOR
A Publication of the State Bar of Arizona

Editor

TIM EIGO
Tim.Eigo@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7310

Art Director

KAREN HOLUB
Karen.Holub@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7303

Production Manager

MICHAEL PEEL
Michael.Peel@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7311

Advertising Manager
LISA BORMASTER FON TES
Lisa.Bormaster@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7230

Advertising Coordinator

MIK YEILA CORDERO
Mikyeila.Cordero@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7306

Communications Assistant

JILLIAN KINSALA
Jillian.Kinsala@staff.azbar.org
602-340-7257

Editorial Board

DAVID H. BEN TON, CHAIR

Addresses

www.azbar.org/AZAttorney
YUSRA B. BOKHARI
HON. THEODORE CAMPAGNOLO
PAUL F. DOWDELL
GREGOR Y GAU TAM
ANN HOBART
HON. RANDALL M. HOWE
COLLEEN M. JOHNSON
KARA L. KLIMA
MAY LU
JOSE V. LUJAN
POURIA PAKNEJAD
TERRIE S. RENDLER
K YLE SHELTON
MICHAEL F. VALENZUELA

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VOLUME 54, NO. 1

What makes a place a place worth remembering? What transforms brick and mortar into communities and neighborhoods?

If you’re active in your community, you probably find yourself considering those issues often. That’s because an accumulation of raw materials may yield vibrancy in one place and despondency in another. What’s the difference? What is the special sauce?

Back in June, those questions were raised during the screening of a compelling documentary about modern urban spaces. In a lot of ways, the film showed that communities may thrive or die in the legal issues and conclusions that underlie the ground we walk on.

Jane Jacobs was a remarkable advo-
cate for living, sustainable and diverse spaces. The film that represents
her battles with the City of New York—a film I recommend—is titled
Citizen Jane: Battle for the City. Directed by Matt Tyrnauer, the docu-
mentary was screened by Steve Weiss and his own remarkable company
called No Festival Required. What attracted them to Jane may attract
you, as well. (Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwf5h3MIdRs)
Jacobs lived happily for many years in New York’s Greenwich Village.
But she resided there during the ascendancy of city planner Robert
Moses—whose vision focused mightily on the power of the automobile
to be the centerpiece of every community’s space. Those who saw things
differently—especially residents—were viewed by Moses as inconsequen-
tial impediments to progress. His blueprints were routinely followed by
massive demolition of homes and
creation of freeways. He was used
to getting his way—to winning.
Until he came up against Jacobs
and her fellow advocates.

The film explores the clash of worldviews—monolithic and efficient vs. diverse and surprising. In every city around the world, the clash continues. But when most of us consider our favorite places to visit, I suspect we mainly come down on one side rather than the other.

Among the film’s many revelations was this: Jacobs and the effective activists she worked with had a deep and detailed understanding that law—code, regulations and more—was at the bottom of every solution—and every problem. The person who seeks to advance a position without that understanding is unlikely to be successful.

In one of her biggest battles, Jacobs was successful. The Lower Manhattan Expressway—a 10-lane superhighway connecting Long Island to New Jersey—was never built. And so as you pleasantly stroll through the Village—and Little Italy and Chinatown and Washington Square—thank a preservationist who knew the law and how to use it.

At the event, I had the pleasure to moderate a panel discussion of very smart folks. Thanks to Phoenix Councilwoman Kate Gallego and architects Christina Noble and Will Bruder, for their dialogue and their hard work building a city.