…to put in bike lanes: bike lanes that no one will ever use.
It just doesn't make sense. Phoenix is not somewhere temperate where people actually bike to work or downtown. In the summer, afternoon temps flirt with 120F for weeks on end. Even hardcore mountain bikers like my boss, eschew cycling when it gets that hot.
If they wanted to make 3rd and 5th Avenues two way, fine. But don't put in something that is basically useless and adds nothing to the community. Put in a planted median down the center of the street and plant some shade trees. That would've increased the value of downtown much more in my opinion.
Yeah, trees would have been a better choice.