PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Time is running out for residents to weigh in on the future of the light rail expansion into the Capitol district and west Phoenix.
In less than two weeks, the Phoenix City Council will vote on whether or not to move forward with the Capitol Extension (CAPEX) plan.
The deadline to submit feedback via a survey on Valley Metro’s website is Jan. 16.
The proposal would send the light rail around the Capitol and connect it to Phoenix’s west side via Interstate 10.
Larry Handy, who lives in Salt Lake City and has been visiting family in the Valley for 30 years, said other major cities nationwide are expanding light rail, but he believes Phoenix is behind.
“It affects the economy. It affects how people can seek employment in various parts of the Valley. It affects tourism, like people like me,” he said.
The Valley Metro survey asks whether the city of Phoenix should expand light rail through the Capitol area using one of three proposed routes, or re-evaluate other options to reach the west side.
Will Greene with the nonprofit Urban Phoenix Project said the light rail around the Capitol could transform this part of downtown.
“We’re really excited about the future potential of our governmental mall area,” Greene said. “It holds a ton of potential for housing, retail, and making our city more walkable.”
Last month, the majority of the city’s transportation subcommittee voted to recommend “re-evaluating options” to the full council. However, doing so would mean losing out on federal grant money.
Some subcommittee members cited a main concern: opposition from the Senate President and Speaker of the House at the Arizona Legislature. The legislators said they do not support tracks being built within the Capitol Mall area.
According to state law, lawmakers have oversight only over the location of light rail stations, not the actual tracks.
“I think they need to realize that they have this choice in front of them, and they shouldn’t kill a project out of fear that somebody else is going to kill it,” Greene said.
The last public meeting on Jan. 15 is where residents can learn more about the plan and what it means if it passes or fails when the city council votes on Jan. 27. That meeting will be at 6 p.m. at Neighborhood Ministries. If you cannot be there in person, you can also attend virtually.
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