All Aboard...Light Rail

Arizona PIRG, a group that advocates for the public interest, released a report this week titled The Business of Light Rail. According to the AZ PIRG website, the report provides an on-the-ground perspective of how light rail helps small business owners in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Many of the businesses mentioned were negatively impacted by the light rail during several months of construction. Now that the system is up and running, the business owners are seeing the benefits of having light rail roll along the streets of Phoenix. What exactly does the report accomplish?

However, as of yet, there has been no document which compiles anecdotes of how the light rail has benefited the local economy. This report provides real-life examples of businesses that have thrived by having light rail access near their establishments, documenting perspectives from local business owners in their own words that statistics simply cannot provide.

Arizona PRIG

There report mentions six common themes and perspectives amongst the 14 businesses profiled in the document.

¨ increased foot traffic due to light rail

¨ businesses shaping their location decisions in anticipation of light rail, thereby potentially decreasing urban sprawl

¨ light rail’s value as a transportation alternative for special events like community festivals

¨ increased visibility for the businesses near the light rail

¨ light rail’s role in community development

¨ light rail’s role as a mobility option for people who cannot drive.

Here is the link to the report

http://www.arizonapirg.org/home/reports/report-archives/smart-transportation/smart-transportation/the-businesses-of-light-rail-a-compilation-of-local-business-interviews.

Another announcement about Mesa's extension of light rail....

Mesa to unveil light rail extension details. Metro will give the public its first full look at how the light rail system will look in downtown Mesa when the planned 3-mile extension is to be completed in 2016.

The April 24 presentation will unveil the latest plans for where stations will be positioned, how they will be designed and how they will integrate with the city’s plans to redevelop downtown. After taking public comment, Metro will proceed with engineering the four-station extension. This open house will be held in conjunction with other downtown Mesa events including the MacDonald Street Farmers’ Market and MACFest. It will take place at:

Saturday, April 24, 2010
9 a.m. – noon
18 W. Main St., Mesa (between de la Cruz Bistro and Milano’s Music)

For additional information on this meeting or project, please contact Carla Kahn at (602) 744-5552 orckahn@metrolightrail.org. Light rail extension information is also available online.