Members of the public crowded into the Phoenix City Council chambers on Tuesday afternoon.
The meeting drew wide public attention as the council would be making a final decision to adopt the Capitol light rail extension, or to abandon plans to focus efforts on alternative routes into west Phoenix.
The council voted 7-2 in favor of shifting efforts to bring light rail to West Phoenix down Indian School road.
Mounting pressure from Republicans in the Arizona Legislature gave city leadership concerns the Capitol Mall extension would face intense scrutiny and litigation.
More than 100 members of the public spoke during the meeting, sharing passionate and emotional testimonies on their preferred route. Public comment lasted for more than four hours.
The meeting, which began at 2:30 p.m., adjourned just after midnight.
Ed Hermes, who sits on the Osborn School District Governing Board, was among those who gave public comment at the meeting.
“People see this backing away from Capitol extension as a blow to that positive movement that we've seen since 2000 really, since the initiation of the light rail,” Hermes said.
Business owners along Indian School Road shared concerns that the light rail will force their businesses to close. They cited small businesses that were forced to close due to light rail construction along south Central Avenue.
Simon Isaac owns One Stop Drive Thru Liquor on 67th avenue and Indian School.
“If we allow you guys to do it at option two, you guys are going to destroy our business, and you're going to destroy livelihood, something that we built for the last 20 years,” Isaac said.
