Community organizer announces Phoenix City Council run

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(The Center Square) - A community organizer with a business background has decided to run for Phoenix City Council.

Robb Olivieri announced Wednesday he's running for the city’s District 4 seat in 2026.

If he is elected to the city council, Oliveri told The Center Square that he wants to modernize how Phoenix operates.

Phoenix can leverage technology to provide better services, he noted. The city council candidate added he would streamline its communication to city residents.

Phoenix can be “more reactive and proactive” regarding its communications, Oliveri said.

The city council candidate is active in Phoenix, serving as the director of the Melrose Community Alliance.

The alliance, which is located in the city's Melrose District, works with surrounding neighborhoods, residents and small businesses, Oliveri said.

He added he has worked with Phoenix residents and business owners daily over the past five years.

In this role, Oliveri said he has heard from people about the issues they would like solved and the desires they have for their local communities.

Oliveri said he would rely on this experience if elected to the city council. He said he would focus on making sure businesses invest locally in their communities.

During the day, Oliveri serves as the director of research and development at Arizona State University Luminosity Lab, a student-led research lab focused on solving real-world problems. He told The Center Square the job requires him to identify “novel solutions to complex problems.”

Oliveri said his work has “always been about building relationships and partnerships” to bring “people together for a common goal and vision.”

Through his work at the Luminosity Lab, Oliveri has helped create companies and jobs that support local neighborhoods.

If elected to the city council, Oliveri said he would make it easier for people to start businesses. “Whether that's a donut shop or a Big Tech company, we should want folks to be able to live their dream, whatever that is, and give them the opportunity to succeed or fail.

It’s important to create a connection in Phoenix between local universities and talented entrepreneurs so they can start and keep their businesses in the area, he said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of living in Phoenix has gone up. Between 2020 and 2024, the city’s housing costs increased by 37%, according to Upgraded Points.

Oliveri suggested Phoenix could streamline some of its zoning and development rules to address the issue.

The city needs to add more housing options, such as condos, townhomes, duplexes and apartments, he said.

Oliveri also said he thought the city could build more densely.

Through his work at ASU, Oliveri noted he works with many students who think buying a home is “insurmountable.”

Phoenix does not want to lose these students because colleges in the area have invested significant time in developing their talents.

“We wanna make sure there are opportunities for [students] to stay here,” he said.

Another issue facing Phoenix is its homelessness. According to the Maricopa County Association of Governments, nearly 10,000 people experienced homelessness this year, which is up from 47% since 2019.

Oliveri said it is important to ensure city services are provided to homeless people, but he also recognized the need to prevent encampments from surrounding businesses and parks.

The election for Phoenix City Council’s District 4 will occur on Nov. 3, 2026. Also on the ballot are the races for districts 2, 4 and 8. There is no primary race for city council seats, which are nonpartisan.