Keep Phoenix Beautiful has moved its PHX Renews project to a new home at 18th Avenue and Pearson Street, which will take the place of its original site on Indian School Road and Central Avenue. The nonprofit organization was notified earlier this year that it had to vacate the land due to ownership transitions to the U.S. Department of Interior.

The PHX Renews site was always designed for a temporary vacant lot activation, but hopes remained until recently that Interior would allow the gardens to stay.

“We had an amazing run at this site during the past six years,” says Tom Waldeck, president and CEO of Keep Phoenix Beautiful. “In a short amount of time, this vacant space has transformed into an oasis of activity to bring sustainable solutions to our Phoenix community. We’re excited about what the new site has to offer. I couldn’t be more proud of all who have been involved and we look forward to continuing these efforts at our new site.”

PHX Renews began as a temporary solution championed by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton in 2012 to reduce the number of empty lots throughout the city by using them as community and educational spaces. Since then, PHX Renews has become a mainstay in Phoenix.

PHX renews has evolved into a nationally recognized location, where the negative impact of a vacant space became a positive active community filled with over 100 local gardeners, 11 corporate sponsors, a pet exercise area, a solar demonstration home, artist activities, and community partners, who have invested over 5,000 volunteer hours to make the site come to life.

In addition to personal community gardens, PHX Renews has been home to partner organizations like International Rescue Committee, Native Health, one•n•ten, PetSmart, Arizona State University, Arizona Science Center, and many others.

The city of Phoenix provided a flatbed trailer and forklift to help transport water tanks, picnic tables, shade structures and benches, as well as roll-off boxes to collect soil to take to the new garden.

Those interested in supporting PHX Renews may contact their staff at info@keepphxbeautiful.org to volunteer.

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