Re: [A_A] Phoenix: Light rail boosts uptown's economic revival

[Richard L. Friedman]

Now maybe Arizona will get behind Sunset Service back to Phoenix, and daily or more frequent intercity service between Tucson and Phoenix. 

It's amazing that even though "no one rides trains anymore" that when you build it they will come.  And if you make the service more convenient even more people will use it.

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From: Nawdry <naw...@gmail.com>
To: Trolleys-Remo...@yahoogroups.com; LightR...@yahoogroups.com; All_A...@yahoogroups.com; lr...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, January 10, 2010 11:02:51 AM
Subject: [A_A] Phoenix: Light rail boosts uptown's economic revival

..


http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_newslog2009q4.htm#PHX_20091122

Light Rail Now! NewsLog
Updated 2009/11/22
22 November 2009

Phoenix: Light rail boosts uptown's economic revival


Phoenix — "Light rail contributes to Phoenix area's revival" is the headline
of a June 8th Arizona Republic article describing what the paper calls a
"renaissance" attributed at least in part to the urban area's new Metro light
rail transit (LRT) line (connecting central-city Phoenix with two major
suburbs, Tempe and Mesa)

As the paper reports,

    >>
    Uptown Phoenix, once home to dilapidated strip malls and run-down
lots, is enjoying a revival of sorts. With light
rail cutting straight through the
central Phoenix district, more than a dozen new businesses have
sprouted in the neighborhood near Camelback Road and Central Avenue
from coffee shops and restaurants to an organic pet store.
    <<

The Republic quotes City Councilman Tom Simplot, speaking during a
recent ceremony celebrating the spate of mom-and-pop businesses that
have recently opened.

"As we hear about all the businesses closing in the malls and other parts
of the city, this is proof we are really sizzling in this part of Phoenix"
Simplot told the audience. "The investment [in light rail] is paying off."

As an example, the article focuses on Hula's Modern Tiki, an "Hawaiian-
inspired eatery" owned by Dana Mule and his two California business
partners. Having taken over a "funky" old building along the Central
Avenue segment of the Metro LRT line, Hula's owners have implemented
what the paper describes as "a massive $1 million remodel, nearly
doubling the size of the building to 2,900 square feet." As a result, "The
expansion and renovation will allow seating for up to 125, including an
indoor bar and outdoor patio area."

"We looked at 50 locations in Phoenix before we found a place we really
loved" Mule toward the Republic reporter. "This has the soul and
character and community-based support that we were looking for."

The future Hula's is located "At the heart of the renaissance" notes the
Republic, described as "the unassuming Xavier Square retail center at
4700 N. Central Ave."

Among a diversity of "trendy" retail establishments blossoming at this
center is an "eco-friendly pet store", relocated to the Central Avenue site
from elsewhere in Phoenix. The owner, Christopher Pulvermacher,
emphasized that, in contrast with his previous location, his new location
on the LRT line is more in synch with his target market.

"People downtown are more savvy about health and about what is
important" he told the Republic reporter. "Most of our customers come
here because of what we carry."

As for Hula's, the Republic article recounts that the restaurant "will join a
small cluster of trendy restaurants along Central."

One of these is Maizie's Cafe and Bistro, whose owner, Joel Miller, told
the reporter that his restaurant was received well by the community it first
opened a year previously. However, noted the article, "since light-rail
trains began rolling in December, there is a new energy in the
neighborhood that has boosted business."

"Uptown was nothing" Miller emphasized. "It was dead. You only went to
uptown if you needed a bicycle fixed or wanted to go to AJ's [Fine Foods].
Now, people are saying, 'Let's go to the north-central area,' and they are
not being disappointed."




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