by bryan | Jul 24, 2011 | light rail expansion
by Sadie Jo Smokey – Jul. 18, 2011 Arizona Republic Phoenix is amending the city’s general plan for land-use planning near light-rail stations and is asking residents for input. A public meeting to discuss the station at Central Avenue and Camelback Road is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Days Inn, 502 W. Camelback Road. The general plan is a blueprint that outlines land-use and policy guidelines on how the city should grow and redevelop for decades into the future. State law requires cities, towns and counties to update the plan every 10 years. But legislation the state passed last year extended the deadline to 2015 to give budget-constricted local governments short on planning staff more time to update their general plans. Because light rail did not exist during the creation of the existing general plan, Phoenix staff is hosting station-specific meetings to get an idea of what residents, business owners and others envision. Attendees will discuss a general range of appropriate building heights for future real-estate redevelopment. By having stakeholders identify what they want to preserve, promote and will accept in advance, the general plan can better guide future real-estate development. The meetings are not about property ownership, existing zoning or uses, city officials have said. Properties along the light-rail route are in a transit-overlay district, which means less space is dedicated for parking due to the proximity to the train. The Alhambra Village Planning Committee has discussed possible recommendations for how its light-rail-station areas should look and feel. The committee is slated to make a recommendation at its monthly meeting, 6 p.m. July 26 at the Washington Adult Center, 2240 W. Citrus...
by bryan | Jun 16, 2011 | light rail corridor, Valley Metro
courtesy of Phoenix Business Journal – by Adam Kress Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011 As 100-plus-degree temperatures set in, a solar-powered cooling system is coming to a busy Metro light rail stop in downtown Phoenix. NRG Thermal LLC, a subsidiary of Phoenix-based NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE:NRG), will build a system allowing travelers to push a button at the 3rd Street/Washington light rail stop for a hit of cool air. It comes from NRG’s downtown district cooling system, which uses chilled water underground to help cool buildings. Fans at the light rail stop will use solar power to blow the cold air onto riders. The system is scheduled to launch by July 5, before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game events begin. The game is set for July 12, but nearly a week of events leading up to it will bring thousands of tourists to downtown Phoenix. “I was able to experience a similar system during a business trip to Dubai and brought the idea back to Phoenix,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “NRG took the ball and ran with it, investing its money and expertise to make this happen. This solar-powered system will make riding the light rail in Phoenix even cooler.” The system will operate from May through September each year. NRG is covering all costs of the project and maintenance. Access to light rail service and station amenities, including fare vending machines, will not be affected by the construction. The project also will include an educational exhibit showcasing the technology and how it works. NRG owns and operates NRG Energy Center Phoenix, which provides cooling for 34...
by bryan | Jun 8, 2011 | light rail corridor, News & Information, Real Estate Development
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 courtesy of the East Valley Tribune HUD awarded Mesa money to also buy homes in the new Mesa light rail extension corridor. $4 million worth. Mesa has been awarded $4 million to continue its program of buying foreclosed or abandoned homes so they can be renovated and resold to stem declining property values. The funds from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used largely within a half-mile of the planned Metro light-rail extension, from Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road and from University Drive to Broadway Road. Mesa has already received more than $9.6 million from HUD that it has used to buy and refurbish about 40 homes in the 85204 ZIP code. The city offers homes in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to buyers with limited incomes who must make part of a down payment, secure a 30-year, fixed-rate loan, complete home buying counseling and live in the home at least 15 years. Those who qualify will receive assistance with the down payment and closing costs. For more information about the program, call (480)...
by bryan | Jun 5, 2011 | Jobs, light rail corridor, News & Information, Uncategorized
Where, oh where are the jobs, today? Looking for a good job? Want to have an easy way to get to work, avoiding the hassles of traffic and parking? Today you have well over 200 choices! Jobs along light rail are available right now, today. Browse the list of opportunities on the growing list of careers. So, maybe it is not exactly what you have working at for the last decade. But now the economy is changing, and although it may be a little scary, it also can be exciting and challenging to walk into a solid, stable position. Jobs along light rail We have set up a unique search tool for you to locate job, keep an eye on a particular geographic area, or follow an industry. So what are you waiting for! Contact us to voice your opinion. We are here to provide opportunities to work. ...
by bryan | Jun 4, 2011 | Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, light rail expansion, News & Information
by Jim Walsh – Jun. 3, 2011 The Arizona Republic A new $20 million investment fund to jump-start transit-oriented development along the Metro light-rail line couldn’t come at a better time for Mesa as it prepares for an extension to Mesa Drive. Although the new Sustainable Communities Development Fund probably won’t be tapped until sometime this fall, four developers already have approached the Local Initiatives Support Corp. with potential projects, said Teresa Brice, executive director of LISC’s Phoenix office. “The timing is perfect for us,” Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said about the fund. “It’s what I call a statement investment. When they invest, others will follow.” Smith also said the city is completing the Central Main Street Plan, which will chart redevelopment along the light-rail extension scheduled to open in 2016. The plan calls for higher-density development to capitalize on light rail. Mike James, Mesa’s transit services director, said the fund could be used to help build affordable housing along the First Avenue corridor near downtown Mesa, or to replace trailer parks in poor condition along Main Street with better housing. “It provides opportunities for a whole range of people to live and work with transportation,” he said. “They don’t need to have a car.” Although light rail has generated plenty of ridership in Mesa, the economic impact has been muted. The line opened during the recession and extends only about a mile into the city. In contrast, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said the light-rail line has lured $2.5 billion in investment and helped the city redevelop Apache Boulevard, a longtime trouble spot. LISC and the Raza Development Fund, with...
