Title
Martin L. Shultz Way Ceremonial Signage - District 8
Description
Request City Council approval to install ceremonial signage to honor Martin L. Shultz. The ceremonial sign will be installed at the intersection of 4th and McKinley streets (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
Mr. Shultz devoted his life to shaping the future of Phoenix through decades of professional service and personal commitment. In his long career with Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, the parent company of Arizona Public Service (APS), he rose to Vice President of Government Affairs, helped lay the foundation for the success that APS and the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant continue to bring to the utility industry today.
In the 1970s, Mr. Shultz served as Chief of Staff to three consecutive Phoenix Mayors, John Driggs, Tim Barrow, and Margaret T. Hance, becoming a trusted voice and steady guide through pivotal moments in the city’s growth. His influence is still felt today, as he remains a respected presence at the Office of the Mayor and City Council, the Arizona State Legislature, and among Arizona’s elected leaders.
As a founding member of Phoenix Community Alliance and Chair of its Board in 2008, Mr. Shultz helped drive the organization’s earliest efforts to create a vibrant and thriving downtown. The Arizona Center stands as one of his most significant achievements. His leadership was instrumental in securing a long-term lease agreement with APS for the project’s first building-an action that gave the developer the financial strength needed to bring the Arizona Center to life. Nearly 40 years later, the project continues to flourish, a testament to his foresight and tenacity.
Mr. Shultz’s humanitarian contributions have touched countless lives in nearly every corner of Phoenix. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the original Human Services Campus, bringing together more than two dozen partner organizations united by a shared mission to end homelessness. His commitment to collaborative, compassionate solutions continues to shape services for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Throughout his career, he played a leading role in the development of Arizona’s transportation systems from freeways to light rail, helping to create the modern infrastructure that supports the region’s growth.
His service extended deeply into nonprofit and community leadership. As a member of the Legacy Circle, he supported the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center for many years. He also served as a member and later Chairman of the Banner Health Board of Directors, and contributed his leadership to the Arizona State University Board of Trustees, the Visit Phoenix Board of Directors, and numerous other organizations.
In 2009, Mr. Shultz was named Valley Leadership’s Man of the Year. His influence on Valley Leadership itself is profound; he played an instrumental role in establishing a program that has grown into one of Arizona’s most prestigious leadership institutions, shaping generations of public and private sector leaders. His dedication as an educator and his involvement with the Phoenix Suns further demonstrate the breadth of his service.
The ceremonial signs at 4th and McKinley streets, standing in the shadow of the APS tower, are fittingly placed to honor a remarkable individual who championed downtown Phoenix when it mattered most. The ceremonial signs serve as a tribute to a leader whose vision, integrity and unwavering commitment helped shape the Phoenix we know today.
Financial Impact
The fabrication, installation and maintenance cost of the ceremonial sign will be funded by the Mayor's Office.
Location
4th and McKinley streets
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Street Transportation Department.