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Extreme Heat Warning

City of Phoenix official website

Sidewalk Shade Project

This project showcases how art and built shade come together to provide beauty and shade throughout Phoenix. Nineteen colorful shade structures designed in collaboration with local artists were installed at major intersections and crosswalks. These locations were selected to provide shade through an artistic lens for walking pedestrians who are forced to wait for traffic signal changes. The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation worked with the Streets Transportation Department and Department of Arts and Culture to complete this project.

Project Status

Installation of the structures was completed in April 2026.

Project Features - Sonoran Desert Inspiration

Three different shade structure designs were used. Each structure design was inspired by our desert environment, including variations on saguaro blossoms and butterflies.

Three local artists collaborated with the design team to contribute artwork that reflects the culture and heritage of our City. The artist designs are reflected in the cut-outs on the roof panels that are attached to the structures and in the choice of colors for the structures.

Concept #1 – Saguaro Blossom Single Panel, With and Without Concrete Foundation

person standing under shade structure with concrete base Saguaro Blossom single panel without concrete foundation | Artist: Isaac Caruso
Saguaro Blossom single panel with concrete foundation | Artist: Isaac Caruso

Concept #2 - Saguaro Blossoms Multi-Panel

graphic of person standing under shade structure Saguaro Blossoms Multi-Panel from below | Artist: Heidi Dauphin with Studio Curiosity, LLC
Saguaro Blossoms Multi-Panel from above | Artist: Heidi Dauphin with Studio Curiosity, LLC

Concept #3 – Butterfly With Concrete Foundation

graphic of person standing under potted shade structure Butterfly with concrete foundation | Artist: Sara Altieri with Green Heart Creative Services

Public Meeting – August 15, 2024

The City of Phoenix held a public meeting on August 15, 2024, to share the plans for this project and hear community feedback. A recording of the public meeting can be viewed here.

List of Structure Locations

  • NE corner, Indian School Rd. and Central Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SW corner Indian School Rd. and Central Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SW corner Van Buren St. and 28th St. (Concept #2)
  • South side of Van Buren St., west of 35th St. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • North side of Van Buren St. and 36th St. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • West side of 16th St., north of McDowell Rd. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • North side Thomas Rd., west of 43rd Ave. (Concept #3 with concrete base)
  • North side McDowell Rd., west of 67th Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • South side McDowell Rd., west of 67th Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SE Corner of 23rd Ave. and Camelback Rd. (Concept #3 with concrete base)
  • NW corner Indian School Rd. and 59th Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SW corner Indian School Rd. and 59th Ave. (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SE corner, Roosevelt St. and 16th St. (Concept #1 without base)
  • SW corner Roosevelt St. and 16th St. (Concept #1 without base)
  • NE corner Roosevelt St. and 16th St. (Concept #2)
  • SW corner Southern Ave. and 19th Ave. (Concept #2)
  • NE corner Southern Ave. and 19th Ave. (Concept #3 with concrete base)
  • SE corner Southern Ave. and 24th St (Concept #1 with concrete base)
  • SW corner Southern Ave. and 24th St ​​(Concept #1 with concrete base)

Project Contacts

For project inquiries, please email us at heatreadyphx@phoenix.gov and for media inquiries contact Keyera Williams at keyera.williams@phoenix.gov.