I did some digging in the Arizona Republic database and found a few quotes.
From 2000:
Phoenix City Councilman Cody Williams and area merchants are pushing to put the rail along East Van Buren Street, from Central Avenue to the Tempe border. Light rail could give the depressed area an economic boost. Plus, he notes, most of the area population lives north of Van Buren Street, so a more southerly rail location puts transit farther from people. Transit planners have long favored a Washington or Jefferson route; the train would run next to major sports destinations at Bank One Ballpark and America West Arena. But they say they are listening to community concerns.
Also from 2000:
Phoenix's planned light-rail train will run near the city's major downtown sports venues, courts, office buildings and Sky Harbor International Airport, if city planners have their way. Transit planners are suggesting the trains follow all one-way streets in downtown and east Phoenix: heading south on First Avenue from Roosevelt Street, east on Jefferson Street to Tempe, west on Washington Street, and north on Central Avenue to Roosevelt. Planners will urge a City Council subcommittee to adopt those routes today, saying they would attract more commuters than others studied. But their proposal irritates those who want the trains to run along East Van Buren Street, a move they say would revive one of the city's oldest business corridors. "We're very unhappy," said Philip A. Blair, vice president of the East Van Buren Civic Association.The city is merely looking for a way to boost the downtown athletic facilities by putting light-rail doors in front of sports enthusiasts, Blair contends.
That's one reason, said Neal Manske, Phoenix Transit director. But after exhaustive public discussions, he said, there are other considerations:
* There are nearly 50 percent more workers within a three-block downtown area than the entire Van Buren alignment.
* At least 25,000 workers at Sky Harbor International Airport could easily catch the train.
* The 7.95-mile stretch from downtown to Tempe would cost $69.2 million less along Jefferson and Washington, than building the tracks along Van Buren. The estimated costs of design, construction and right-of-way is $240.5 million along Jefferson and Washington, compared with $309.7 million along Van Buren.
"This route makes good transportation sense," Manske said. "Overall, it's going to change the face of the city." Putting the train close to Sky Harbor is important because airport officials are planning their own train connection, a "people mover," that will run a 3.7-mile circuit, partially underground, throughout the airport, Manske said.
From 2001:
As expected, the Phoenix City Council approved Tuesday a light-rail route that will run next to major downtown sports attractions and office buildings. The route will be mainly on Jefferson Street east to Tempe and on Washington Street west from Tempe to Phoenix. Only Councilman Cody Williams dissented, saying he preferred a Van Buren alignment because it would improve the deteriorating corridor. Although agreeing that light rail could have boosted Van Buren's economic development, Mayor Skip Rimsza reiterated that the transit tax hike wasn't for that purpose. "These are tough decisions," the mayor said. "This is a very important step."
Last edited by exit2lef; Jun 6, 2024 at 7:38 PM.
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