News | Light Rail Connect

Venture is floated by downtown Phoenix groups

Posted on November 2, 2011 by bryan

Holding company would allow sharing of resources

by Emily Gersema - Oct. 27, 2011
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic

[Editor' Note: Light Rail Advisors supports being efficient and consolidating organizations which have similar purposes. LightRailConnect.com is pro business near light rail]

Two downtown Phoenix business groups with similar missions are considering a new partnership to share resources.

Martin Shultz, chairman of the Phoenix Community Alliance, wants the alliance and the tax-funded Downtown Phoenix Partnership under the umbrella of a holding company. This would enable them to share some functions, such as marketing the downtown area or staff.

Shultz envisions that some city officials and business leaders would sit on the board of the holding company, which he said would be a non-profit group, similar to a holding company he visited in Denver.

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RockBlock Returns to Phoenix Nov. 5 on light rail

Posted on November 2, 2011 by bryan

Oct. 28, 2011
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic

[Editor's Note: Rockblock is one of many Things To Do on Phoenix light rail. LightRailConnect makes it easy to live, work and play near light rail]

Phoenix, Ariz. (Sept. 15, 2011) – BillingTree Rock Block returns to Phoenix Sat., Nov. 5, 6pm, bringing a high energy lineup of REO Speedwagon, Boston’s Fran Cosmo and Rossmore.

Downtown Phoenix’s Cityscape, between Jefferson and Washington Streets from 1st Avenue, east to 1st Street, takes over as the new venue for this annual charity rock festival, presented by Phoenix-based BillingTree. Plus, fans will get satisfaction knowing that 100% of ALL ticket monies (i.e., the entire $20 and $100 ticket amounts) goes directly to Season For Sharing, with BillingTree RockBlock serving as the kick-off event for this annual fund raising program.

“This is the third BillingTree RockBlock and our first time as the kick-off event for Arizona Republic and 12 News annual holiday fundraising drive Season For Sharing, and at the fantastic new Cityscape venue,” said Dan Willis of Phoenix-based BillingTree’s Board of Directors. “The concert and festival atmosphere has grown each year and we couldn’t be happier to have legendary acts whose music resonates across generations. BillingTree is Phoenix based and we are fortunate we can offer an enjoyable evening and, at the same time, donate all ticket monies to create a windfall for Season For Sharing charities”.
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Upcoming Events on the Light Rail Calendar

Posted on October 31, 2011 by bryan

[Editor's Note: LightRailConnect has compiled a calendar of things to do as well as events to attend that are on or near light rail in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa]

Bet you are thinking there is not much exciting to see or say about Events near light rail. Knowing that a treasure trove of venues sit in the light rail corridor, we have compiled a robust calendar for everyone. Not only for snowbird looking for things to do, this calendar is for everyone.

Here are just a few of the upcoming events over the next few months:

Blue Man Group
The Ironman Race
The Nutcracker, Ballet Arizona
Handel’s Messiah, Phoenix Symphony
A Christmas Carol, the musical
Sting, back to bass
Annual Temple Christmas lights
Insight Bowl, Fiesta Bowl
And many more…

You will discover hundreds of events either on or near light rail in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. There are enough different styles to satisfy everyone’s tastes and interests.

Please check regularly at http://lightrailconnect.com/calendar for new and updated events worth attending.

We will see you there!

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Light Rail Calendar of Events in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa

Posted on October 30, 2011 by bryan

Light Rail Calendar of Events now updated for November and December!

[Editor's Note: LightRailConnect.com has updated their robust Calendar of Events on or near light rail in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. We make it easy to live, work and play near the light rail]

We are now moving into the festive time of year with great speed. What are the major events at major venues available near the tracks? Well, this is the place to find them!

We have worked hard to compile an active list that everyone can enjoy. Please browse and pass the link along to your best friends, and bookmark the link.

LightRailConnect makes it easy to live, work and play near the light rail.

Posted in Calendar, Entertainment, Event Calendar, News & Information | Leave a comment

Who Am I? Will You Meet Me on Mill Ave (Tempe) on Halloween?

Posted on October 28, 2011 by bryan

So, who do you think this person is?

Any guesses? She may show up on Mill Ave near the light rail tracks in Tempe in a couple of days for the Halloween festivities…

Trivia items you will never know:

makeup takes 2 1/2 hours to apply
makeup takes 2 hours to remove
I am not related to Clark Kent
my mask cannot be peeled off

Mill Avenue is located near the light rail tracks in Tempe, AZ. You will discover fine dining, shops, and new friends on Mill Ave especially on the weekends. LightRailConnect.com makes it easy to live, work and play near the tracks.

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ASU homecoming events will cause traffic headaches

Posted on October 28, 2011 by bryan

by Dianna M. Náñez - Oct. 28, 2011
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic

[Editor's Note: Go ASU! Games and Events like this keep the light rail corridor in Tempe strong and vibrant. LightRailConnect.com pushes live, work and play near the tracks]

Arizona State University’s homecoming festivities are a hoot for thousands of Sun Devil fans.

But Saturday’s parade at 11:30 a.m. and football game at 3:30 will cause traffic headaches for residents who want to drive to Mill Avenue for dinner or shopping.

Fans will crowd parking lots and streets near the stadium and downtown Tempe. The city shuts down University Drive for the homecoming parade. To make matters worse, football fans are sharing the streets today with thousands of participants in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, a fundraiser that starts at 7 a.m. just north of downtown and ASU at Tempe Beach Park.

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Posted in ASU, light rail corridor, Sports | Leave a comment

Tom’s Tavern in (downtown) Phoenix back in business

Posted on October 28, 2011 by bryan

by Emily Gersema - Oct. 28, 2011 03:25 PM
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic

[Editor's Note: Thanks to the Bidwell family for keeping a tradition going. Light Rail Advisors developed LightRailConnect.com and the LightRailConnect Magazine to also support fine dining and entertainment in the Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa light rail corridor]

After a few months of renovations, Tom’s Tavern is back in business.

Tom’s Tavern & 1929 Grill in downtown Phoenix reopened this month, unveiling a new look and a new menu under its new ownership — the Bidwill family, which also owns the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bidwills bought the restaurant at Central Avenue and Washington Street this year from the Ratner family. The tavern has been around in various incarnations for more than 80 years and became a landmark restaurant for Phoenix politicos and regulars.

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Posted in Light Rail Business, News & Information, Restaurant | Leave a comment

NBA dispute raises economic worries in downtown Phoenix

Posted on October 28, 2011 by bryan

by Emily Gersema - Oct. 28, 2011
Courtesy of The Arizona Republic

[Editor's Note: Downtown Phoenix is a crucial piece of the health of Phoenix and the light rail corridor. Light Rail Advisors supports business development along the tracks in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.]

The cancellation of the Phoenix Suns’ games for the October preseason and two weeks in November has diverted some basketball fans from hanging out in downtown Phoenix and left businesses wondering whether more canceled games could hurt their bottom line.

After 15 hours of talks on Wednesday, the NBA players union and team owners said they are hopeful a deal could be reached within days, which would allay fears of economic fallout.

A lot of money is tied to the games, in addition to ticket, food and beverage sales. The Suns are in the 19th year of a multimillion-dollar, 30-year lease with Phoenix to operate and play in US Airways Center.

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Posted in Entertainment, Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, News & Information | Leave a comment

UnitedHealthcare boosts CityScape

Posted on October 26, 2011 by bryan

October 26, 2011
Opinions

[Editor's Note: Cityscape is a significant development in downtown Phoenix and to the growth of business success in the light rail corridor. Light Rail Advisors founded LightRailConnect.com and LightRailConnect Magazine to complement this goal]

Exciting developments are happening in Phoenix. Not only is Phoenix one of the most desirable places in America to live, it is becoming one of the most ideal places to work.

Phoenix is receiving another boost in the coming months with UnitedHealthcare’s move to the CityScape building in downtown.

As one of the state’s largest health and well-being companies, serving more than 1.2 million Arizonans, UnitedHealthcare employs a broad workforce in Phoenix, including information-technology specialists, claims processors, clinical teams and health-plan leadership.

This relocation further reinforces the company’s commitment to Phoenix as both an employer and community partner.

We have been working with business leaders for months to bolster the economic engine that is downtown; and with UnitedHealthcare transferring such a large workforce there, nearby businesses should also benefit from increased foot traffic and economic activity.

UnitedHealthcare’s move to CityScape represents yet another positive step in further establishing Phoenix as a world-class city.

We are excited about building upon this recent success and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Phoenix and our residents. - Phil Gordon, Phoenix- Jeri Jones, Phoenix

Gordon is mayor of Phoenix. Jones is CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of Arizona.

Posted in Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, News & Information | Leave a comment

Opinion: Mesa on its way toward light-rail planning redemption

Posted on October 26, 2011 by bryan

by Southeast Valley editorial board - Oct. 26, 2011
Our View
Courtesy of the Arizona Republic

[Editor's Note: Light Rail Advisors fully supports the 3.1 mile light rail extension into downtown and to Mesa Drive. The company started LightRailConnect.com and the LightRainConnect Magazine to support business and economic growth in the light rail corridor]

Mesa has a rare light-rail mulligan. And, thankfully, it knows it.

The city dithered on advance planning for its initial, half-mile leg. It didn’t do enough to encourage and integrate development at its initial station. By the time it finally offered some much-needed direction for the area, the economy was in freefall.

Not surprisingly, where Phoenix and Tempe have reaped billions of dollars in investment along light rail, Mesa has yet to see any appreciable economic benefit.

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