Tomorrow, METRO will break ground on the Mesa light rail extension. This is another historic day for METRO and is a big step forward for Mesa, as well.
The Mesa light rail extension will be the first expansion of the current 20 mile light rail line that travels in Phoenix, Tempe and in Mesa. Currently, Mesa has a small part of the light rail line stretching from the Tempe boarder to just East of Dobson Road, ending at the Sycamore station. With the addition of another 3.1 miles of track, Mesa is looking to see new interest in its downtown area.
The significance of this first extension should not be overlooked. Already, we are seeing new and heightened interest in a downtown area that will be easily accessed by people traveling from Tempe and Phoenix. News has been coming from Mesa for months with talks of what is coming to town. Three new colleges have committed to the area, new restaurants are opening and Mesa’s first brewery has been announced. Yes, these places will be opening prior to 2015 when we are told trains will be traveling down Main Street, but one has to think that a lot of the interest in the area has to do with the upcoming economic shot in the arm that is sure to be coming via light rail trains. Heck, there have been talks and plans to revitalize this area for dozens of years. This time, the light at the end of the tunnel really is a train, and it will be bringing something that all of the prior attempts at revitalization could not bring. People and their money.
Be Part of History:
As construction begins, more excitement is sure to build. Of course there will be challenges for some business owners during construction, but METRO appears to have learned a lot from past experiences in dealing with business owners, and they have put plans in place to help where they can.
Wednesday morning May 30th from 8am-9:30am METRO invites the public to join them along with Mesa Mayor Scott Smith at a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the next step to the opening of the light rail extension in Mesa.
WHAT: Party time! ( food & coffee will be served )
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30th from 8am – 9:30am
WHERE: Robson (East of Country Club Dr.) between Main and Pepper.
WHY: Be part of history, snag some free stuff
To learn more about future light rail extensions, visit METRO light rail.
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