by bryan | Oct 28, 2011 | ASU, light rail corridor, Sports
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. Sue Taaffe, a Tempe transportation spokeswoman, said the city posts traffic notices on its transit website to notify drivers and people who use public transportation of street closures and restrictions and bus detours. A quick review of the site makes it easier to navigate Tempe on days when major festivals, marathons or celebrations are scheduled. Because many major events are scheduled at Town Lake, which is near Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue, two major Tempe arteries, the restrictions usually hit downtown Tempe the hardest. But there are ways to ease traffic woes, Taaffe said. “We don’t want people to think downtown is closed. It’s more challenging to get downtown, but it’s not impossible,” she said. Many downtown Tempe businesses lament that the traffic restrictions...
by bryan | Oct 28, 2011 | Light Rail Business, News & Information, Restaurant
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. “The expectation was that regulars who had been loyal to Tom’s for years would be back after the renovations and that we’d also pick up quite a few new customers,” said Michael Bidwill. “Since reopening a couple weeks ago, that has certainly proven to be the case.” The Bidwills’ remodel has upgraded Tom’s Tavern decor from diner to chic. The checkerboard floor is gone, replaced by a more elegantly bordered European tile with beige, red and dark-green details. The walls are painted in hues of beige or brown, and they’re covered with black and white photos of politicos, the bar’s former owners, photos of the tavern’s earliest years in the late 1920s, and pictures of some of Phoenix’s historic heavy hitters from now and years ago. Aged wood and leather booths border the eatery. Leather...
by bryan | Oct 28, 2011 | Entertainment, Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, News & Information
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. Outside of the arena, downtown businesses benefit from fans’ attendance of the 41 home games in the NBA season. Fans splurge on drinks and food before and after the games. Many drive and pay for parking. Yet, assigning a dollar amount to the Phoenix Suns’ value for the local economy is difficult; no major Valley business group has ever studied the issue. Martin Shultz, chairman of the non-profit Phoenix Community Alliance, said businesses are hurt by game cancellations. “It is a setback,” said Shultz, a season ticketholder. “It’s not going to break us. On the other hand, it’s really disappointing. I hope it resolves itself quickly.” Some economists and business managers believe the financial toll of the NBA labor...
by bryan | Oct 26, 2011 | Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, News & Information
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. ...
by bryan | Oct 26, 2011 | Entertainment, Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, light rail expansion, Mesa City
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. But that’s not likely to be the case this time, now that the city is preparing for its next 3 miles of track. Mesa began studying options for redevelopment as soon as it approved the route through downtown to Mesa Drive and, eventually, Gilbert Road. Two years later, the city has created its Central Main Street Plan, a detailed yet flexible set of guidelines to help manage the change it knows is coming. Mesa also is nearly finished with a form-based zoning code for the area, which would focus less on segregating uses and more on ensuring buildings are well-designed. Those documents should be in place long before light rail opens in 2016, offering the clarity and predictability investors need to make serious infill and redevelopment proposals. And that’s important, even if the market for condominiums and high-rise buildings remains weak, because...
by bryan | Oct 26, 2011 | Entertainment, Event Calendar, Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, LightRailConnect.com Magazine, News & Information
Halloween on Mill Avenue Mill Avenue District Mill Avenue and University DriveTempe, AZ, 85281 PHONE: 480-921-2300 October 28, 2011 – October 31, 2011 Monday, Friday, Saturday [Editors Note: Light Rail Advisors supports nightlife and events in the light rail corridor. We have developed LightRailConnect.com and the LightRailConnect Magazine to push Live, Work, Play near the tracks.] Mill Avenue plays host to an unintentional costume parade each Halloween. Early in the day, families march their adorable ghosts and goblins up and down Mill. When the sun sets, young adults bounce from bar to bar in their showiest outfits. There will be plenty of life, or the undead, roaming throughout the weekend, so be sure to get there early to get into the bar of your choice. Pop into Canteen Modern Tequila for a great dance floor and tasty cocktails, Mill Cue Club to mingle with Arizona State University students, or Rula Bula for a more eclectic and laidback vibe....
by bryan | Oct 26, 2011 | Entertainment, Light Rail Business, light rail corridor, News & Information
by Megan Finnerty and Kellie Hwang – Oct. 19, 2011 Courtesy of The Arizona Republic [Editors Note: Light Rail Advisors developed LightRailConnect.com and the LightRailConnect Magazine that make it easy to Live, Work, and Play near the light rail tracks.] Although downtown Phoenix’s dining and drinking destinations are on the rise, quality late-night options can seem limited. Here’s a sampling of five of the best. Hanny’s This stylish lunch, dinner and late-night restaurant is known for super-thin-crust pizzas and idiosyncratic offerings, including Pork Milanese, a prosciutto and hearts of palm sandwich and an arugula salad. Crowds come for the cocktails and to see and be seen. Details: 40 N. First St., Phoenix. 602-252-2285, hannys.net. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar The bar and restaurant at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix is a comfortable and unexpectedly trendy place to grab happy hour with the post-work crowd, to see live DJs on weekends or to slip in for a late drink after a show at the Herberger Theater Center. Details: 320 N. Third St., Phoenix. 602-817-5400, districtrestaurant.com. Copper Blues At CityScape, this bar and lounge serves the Stand Up Live comedy club with a classed-up comfort food menu designed by notable Valley chef Aaron May. The second-story patio offers stunning views of downtown. Details: 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 480-719-5005, copperblueslive.com. Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery This rowdy chain restaurant and bar is known for skimpy-kilt-wearing servers and hearty portions of Shepherd’s Pie, potato skins and Gaelic chicken. That said, it’s mostly about the sexy servers. Details: 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-293-3888, tiltedkilt.com. Coach & Willie’s This upscale sports bar and restaurant has an inviting patio and an interior filled with cushy seating, almost-countless televisions and several...
by bryan | Oct 26, 2011 | Entertainment, Light Rail Business, News & Information
by Kellie Hwang – Oct. 20, 2011 courtesy of The Arizona Republic [Editor’s note: Light Rail Advisors agrees that downtown Phoenix needs assistance to grow and thrive. Those are some of the reasons for creation and development of LightRailConnect.com and the LightRailConnect Magazine.] Although about 6 million people come to downtown Phoenix each year to watch sporting events, concerts and theater productions, the streets usually feel empty after 9 p.m. For years, the masses have not been sticking around after the buzzer sounds, the encore ends or the curtain falls. Out-of-towners are often asking Kathy Cline, co-owner of Steve’s Greenhouse Grill, if “this” is downtown Phoenix, she said. “People go to events, buy their food and drinks there, then get in the car and go home. There’s just not that downtown vibe yet.” But with the recent efforts of downtown business owners, entrepreneurs and developers, that is slowly changing. Through better promotion of late-night venues and a new smartphone application that tells users what’s open and what’s hip, downtown leaders are encouraging visitors to linger longer. “Five years ago . . . I would literally watch the wave of people leaving the ballpark, head straight to the parking garages, get into their cars and leave,” said Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Diamondbacks. “Now, the walking patterns are changing. People are going to Stand Up Live or bowling after, and that’s the way downtown should be.” Within a comfortable walking distance of downtown’s biggest venues, about 15 late-night restaurants and bars cater to postevent crowds, staying open past 10, according to the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. The change has come in increments. Some...
by bryan | Oct 24, 2011 | light rail expansion, Mesa City, News & Information
by Gary Nelson – Oct. 22, 2011 Courtesy of The Arizona Republic [Editor’s Note: Light Rail Advisors, the owner of the popular LightRailConnect.com website, endorses smart use of city land and building resources for the development of the Downtown Mesa area] Two decades ago it was the retail centerpiece of a development that was going to transform downtown Mesa. Now, however, it has become such an albatross that some on the City Council think bulldozers might be the only option. The funky building at 51-55 E. Main St. was part of the “Park Place” project in the late 1980s that also included the adjacent midrise office tower and a movie theater. Mesa bought the theater and the 51-55 building as it assembled land for the Mesa Arts Center. The theater was leveled, but Mesa kept 51-55 in hopes it could become a restaurant or some other complement to the arts center. No such luck. Over the past five years, Mesa has had at least three offers to buy and develop the building as a restaurant, but all the deals died. Bill Jabjiniak, Mesa’s economic development director, said interest remains high. Over the past year, 10 interested parties have inspected the building. Five were considering restaurant uses, and the others were looking at retail or arts-related businesses. There also have been numerous phone calls about the property, Jabjiniak said. But the only tenant at present is the Southwest Shakespeare Company, which uses part of the building for rehearsals. Most potential buyers shy away because of parking issues, the cost of redoing the building and uncertainties over light-rail construction, Jabjiniak said. The building’s future is on...
by bryan | Oct 24, 2011 | light rail corridor, light rail expansion
by Gary Nelson – Oct. 21, 2011 01:50 AM Courtesy of the Arizona Republic [Editor’s Note: Light Rail Advisors, owners of LightRailConnect.com, supports the continued development of light rail further east to Gilbert Drive in Mesa] Downtown Mesa is going to change. Always has, always will. The question, city planner Jeff McVay told the City Council on Thursday, is whether those coming changes will create a viable, livable city center or something less attractive. That’s why he has overseen a citizens committee developing a comprehensive plan for the light-rail corridor from Country Club Drive to Gilbert Road After 21 meetings over the past two years, that committee’s work is done and the plan is now headed toward council approval, probably early this coming winter. As if to dispel any nostalgia for the downtown of old, McVay showed the council several pictures showing that there have been several such downtowns – the horse-and-buggy downtown, the downtown that existed when Main Street was actually U.S. 60, and the eclectic downtown of today. The next one will be the downtown of light rail, possibly evolving into a dense urban core of mid-rise buildings with a variety of business and residential uses. The most intense uses are expected to be in the square-mile downtown area and next to future light-rail stops where Main Street intersects with Stapley Drive and Gilbert Road. It’s not just light rail that will transform the area, McVay said. Baby Boomers are showing an increased proclivity for living in transit-rich urban areas with numerous amenities, so downtowns are likely to draw new residents in coming decades. The plan outlines five basic...
