Focus Group Meeting‏

I am a member of an architecture design and community think tank studio, Studio 1to1.

We are currently working with the ASU Stardust Center in a study of the effect of high capacity transit on urban and community life in the City of Phoenix, Arizona.

The goal is of the project is to develop a stakeholder engagement process the allows for the many perspective to be integrated to a successful and sustainable solution the meets the need and wants of current and future Phoenix residents living in a dynamic urban environment

The final deliverables for this project will include examples of urban design development sceneries, policy recommendations, sustainability guidelines, finance mechanisms needed for success, mixed and affordable housing strategies, and the development of public and private stakeholder engagement processes that is necessary for success.

The project calls for a documentary video, presentation and community engagement process designed to inform audiences on the issues, opportunities and potential transformational effects of recent federal policies and new directions in transit oriented development.

The documentary video in addition to a presentation will be used to obtain 50 million in funding in the form of public and private grants and investments that will make actionable improvements to the urban environment of downtown Phoenix possible.

We would like to hold a small focus group with you and other residents to better understand your unique perspective and include them into the presentation.

Please feel free to call me anytime as I am sure you have many questions.

480-510-2733

Thank you,

Matt Krise

Source: Studio 1To1

Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association will provide details from Studio 1To1 upon receipt.

METRO to support July 4 celebrations‏

What

METRO to support July 4 celebrations

METRO light rail will increase service on Sunday, July 4, to support patrons of the Phoenix and Tempe holiday celebrations.

METRO will ramp up from regular Sunday service during the late afternoon to be at near 10-minute frequencies for patrons’ ingress to the events. METRO will also be prepared with a similar service level for when the events end.

Service will be extended that evening to the last full trips occurring at midnight, rather than 11 p.m.

The system will be busy on this holiday. Passengers are advised to expect crowds on board, at park-and-rides and possible delays. Please be patient and plan ahead. Post-event, look for the proper queue line to get you on board a train headed in your return direction.

Notes

Buy your transit pass in advance

Passengers are highly encouraged to purchase an all-day pass in advance for their round trip service on bus and/or light rail. Buying in advance minimizes your time at the fare vending machines altogether on the day-of. Buy your pass today from a transit center, retail outlet or station fare vending machine and simply activate it on July 4.

Overflow parking

METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. If any of the lots become full, we encourage you to try the next closest lot.

Overflow parking opportunities for July 4 only have been identified along the line:

* Park Central Mall – designated “retail only parking” spaces at Earl Drive, west of Central Avenue

Monday, July 5 service

July 5 is transit holiday whereby light rail and bus will run on a Sunday schedule. Trains run every 20 minutes on Sundays/holidays.

More Information

Visit METRO’s Facebook page for additional event details and helpful hints or call Customer Service at 602-253-5000.

Bus service will be detoured around the Phoenix event and is free in Tempe. Visit www.valleymetro.org or call Customer Service for more information.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO light rail wants to connect its riders with the amazing array of businesses along the 20-mile line. Get to know these businesses and their special discounts for transit users through the METRO Max Rewards program.

Every Wednesday beginning tomorrow, June 2, METRO Max Rewards will share with email subscribers, Facebook fans and Twitter followers exclusive money-saving discounts, fun contests and giveaways and special event previews from businesses within a half-mile of the line. The discounts are redeemable using a valid transit pass.

Signing up for METRO Max Rewards is free and easy: 1) become an email subscriber; 2) like us on Facebook; or 3) follow us on Twitter. Direct links and the email sign-up form are available from http://www.metrolightrail.org/.

Businesses along the line continue to be welcomed into the program. It is free to join; simply visit www.metrolightrail.org/metromax to download the Partner Participation Packet.

Free coffee for a year

In celebration of the METRO Max Rewards launch, Dutch Bros. Coffee has generously offered to give one rider a year’s worth of free coffee! To enter, sign up to receive METRO Max Rewards and send a photo of you in front of your favorite Dutch Bros. location. There are six locations Valleywide; two of which are next to light rail stations at Central/Camelback and University/Rural.

The contest will begin today through Tuesday, June 15. Email photos to max@metrolightrail.org. More contest details can be found at www.metrolightrail.org/metromax.

About METRO

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

About Dutch Bros. Coffee

Dutch Bros. is committed to serving customers with a consistent quality product in a timely manner with a smile. Baristas are trained to build coffees as fast as possible without sacrificing quality and continuing to maintain solid communication with the customer. Dutch Bros. also roasts all of its own coffee ensuring freshness from the farmer to the cup and mixing in its own special blend of Dutch Chocolate milk and Kick Me Mix. Coffee franchise locations are locally owned and operated and every retail outlet gives back to their community with one percent of gross sales, which comes to about $750,000 annually. http://www.dutchbros.com/

Source: Metro Rail

National Day of Action March in Central Phoenix

There will be temporary road closures on Saturday, May 29 due to a march to the State Capitol. The closures will begin at Third Street and Indian School Road at approximately 10 a.m. The roads will be closed ahead of the marchers and each road will be opened as soon as marchers are safely beyond the intersection. The marchers are expected to arrive at the State Capitol by 2 p.m.

This is not a City sponsored event. To contact the organizers, visit www.puenteaz.org or call 602-314-5870.

Streets within our boundaries to be closed are:

3rd Street - Indian School Road to Virginia Avenue

Light Rail will be stopped temporarily as needed for marchers to cross major streets.

Source: Councilman Tom Simplot e-News

May 29 bus detours announced

The Phoenix Public Transit Department will have several bus routes on detour starting at 10 a.m., May 29, 2010, in response to a march to the state capitol. Buses affected are Route 0, Route 1, Route 3, Route 7, Route 8, Route 10, Route 12, Route 15, Route 17, Route 19 and Route 29, and possibly Route 41. Some bus stop locations around Central Station will be moved during the event; and service may be delayed until the march concludes. Details regarding detours of each route are below. Light rail may experience delays as a result of the large crowd, but will remain in service while safety permits. Please plan your trip considering these potential delays and detours.

To limit delays in travel, passengers are being asked to purchase bus and light rail passes in advance at transit centers or light rail kiosks. Passengers needing assistance should contact Valley Metro Customer Service at 602-253-5000, or visit www.valleymetro.org for help in finding fare media outlets or scheduling trips.

Source: Valley Metro Phoenix

METRO, US Airways Center, Phoenix Suns renew ticket partnership‏

METRO, US Airways Center, Phoenix Suns renew ticket partnership
In celebration, scavenger hunt and prize to take place over the weekend

PHOENIX — METRO light rail, US Airways Center and the Phoenix Suns announced today the renewal of the “Rail Ride Event” program. The program, originally launched in October 2009, allows consumers who purchase a ticket to any event at US Airways Center to ride METRO light rail at no additional cost, on the day of the event.

Through Rail Ride, METRO recognizes US Airways Center event tickets as valid light rail fare on the day of the event for four hours prior to the start of the event, through the end of the transit day. This innovative ticket partnership between METRO and US Airways Center has been renewed for an additional five years with action taken by the METRO Board of Directors yesterday (Wednesday, May 19).

“This program is a slam dunk! It’s an easy way for event-goers to enhance their downtown experience by using light rail,” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot. “We’re thrilled and proud to have such great partners as the US Airways Center and Phoenix Suns.”

In September 2009, the METRO Board approved a one-year program with US Airways Center to combine event and light rail ticketing. The agreement was established to cover the 2009-2010 Phoenix Suns and Mercury seasons as well as all other ticketed events at US Airways Center, including the many concerts and family shows. The program has proven effective in recovering necessary fare revenue and providing customers with an additional amenity. The program’s renewal will be effective through June 2015.

“US Airways Center and the Phoenix Suns are extremely pleased with our one-year pilot Rail Ride Event program,” said Rick Welts, President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns. “The feedback we have received from our season ticket holders and guest has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to extending our relationship.”

Scavenger hunt and prize

To celebrate, METRO and US Airways Center invite fans and riders alike to take part in a scavenger hunt to have a chance to win US Airways Center event tickets. Taking place Friday, May 21 – Sunday, May 23, the scavenger hunt along the METRO system will task participants with finding letters, that when unscrambled, reveal a secret word. Submit the correct word by Monday, May 24 at noon to be put in the running for the grand prize. The grand prize includes all of the following:

· Four (4) lower level tickets to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (June 23-27, 2010)

· Two (2) suite tickets to Lady Gaga (July 31, 2010)

· Two (2) suite tickets to Christina Aguilera (August 14, 2010)

· Four (4) lower level tickets to a 2010 Phoenix Mercury home game (game based on availability)

· Four (4) lower level tickets to a 2010-2011 Phoenix Suns home game (game based on availability)

For more information on how to participate in the Rail Ride scavenger hunt, including station clues, visit METRO’s Facebook page (keyword: metro light rail).

For more information on the Rail Ride Event program, see attached fact sheet or visit http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/how_to_ride/rail_ride_events/.

About METRO

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

About US Airways Center

US Airways Center is owned by the city of Phoenix and managed by a subsidiary of Suns Legacy Partners, owners of the Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA). The 19,000-seat, award-winning venue hosts nearly 200 events a year including concerts, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice shows, other family shows, sporting events, and conventions. More than two million guests attend events at the Center annually.

www.usairwayscenter.com

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO ridership reaches its high in April‏

METRO light rail has achieved record ridership in April with the most riders in one month, in one day and the highest average weekday ridership since the system’s opening in December 2008.

METRO served 1,208,924 total riders in April 2010, resulting in an average weekday ridership of 44,932, average Saturday ridership of 34,533 and average Sunday and holiday ridership of 20,573. These numbers break the previous record set in March 2010 that saw ridership of 1.16 million and an average weekday of 41,413. 2010 ridership is accelerating past totals achieved in 2009.

METRO also received its highest ridership day on record with 55,679 riders on Monday, April 5, 2010, the date of the Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 season home opener.

Complete ridership information, including a comparison of 2009 vs. 2010 ridership, is available online at http://www.metrolightrail.org/, click on “Newsroom.”

About METRO

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail