Business owners and residents in South Phoenix are vowing to hold city leaders accountable over the light rail’s impact on their community. The city council approved a plan this week to help businesses in the path of the five-mile extension along Central Avenue.
Perry Elam runs a small business incubator in South Phoenix. Historically, he says, the city has ignored businesses in his neighborhood.
“They asked me to come here today to represent their voice, their concerns, that any project that comes into South Phoenix be inclusive and not exclusive,” he said.”
Resident Luke Black said, “The city’s reputation honestly is on the line. It’s an area of the city that needs that development but the city needs to do it in a way that engages residents.”
While light rail expansion creates opportunities for some businesses, it creates hardships for others. Some restaurants and retail shops have been unable to survive construction blocking access and driving customers away. As part of the request for proposals (RFP) for design, the council included a requirement that a comprehensive traffic analysis be done as early as possible to assess potential impacts to businesses.
“There are groups in South Phoenix that do intend to hold this council’s feet to the fire in being accountable to the language they have written into the RFP,” said Black.
Vice Mayor Laura Pastor asked how much money was spent to help businesses along other rail sections. City staff said the first 13-mile stretch received $2 million dollars. The 3-mile extension along 19th Avenue got $600,000 and the 5-mile extension south of downtown is expected to see at least $1.2 million. Thanks to a federal grant, staff told council they’re able to start working with businesses sooner in South Phoenix than anywhere else.
“Is change going to happen? Yes,” Pastor said. “But we are going to do our darndest and I’m hoping my council colleagues make sure that we do our best to preserve what we have and what we can have in the future.”
The design phase for the South Central extension is expected to take two years. The total cost for the project is estimated at $704 million, which includes federal, regional and local funding.
