With child-like excitement, Urban Realty & Development watched this week as the Metro Light Rail slid open it’s car doors to the public for the very first time.  It was truly a momentous occasion for Arizona, but especially for Mesa, Downtown Phoenix, and Downtown Tempe.  After all of the train dust settles, the rail fees take effect, and the grand opening events are over, we will see what the lasting effects of the light rail will have on our downtown.  In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of our initial observations from the Downtown Tempe perspective.

The first item of significance was the general uptick in the pedestrian traffic on Mill Avenue.  The “main street” in downtown Tempe was truly transformed over the last week.  Of course, there were the ubiquitous young professionals and urban hipsters, but there were also the usually unseen groups of people like happy parents chasing their small children, groups of teenagers meandering about, and empty nesters and grandparents strolling the Avenue.  We saw lines formed outside a number of the local shops and we were told by some of the restauranteurs that business had definitely increased.  This remained true even on Friday, after the “free ride” days had come to an end.

Now, we are well aware that this next observation may be biased, so we will go ahead and concede that point right from the start.  However, after riding the majority of the 20 mile light rail route, we’ve come to the opinion that Downtown Tempe has the most exciting part of the light rail track-- by a mile!  Consider these features of the downtown Tempe section of the light rail route: the modern architectural detailing of the new Tempe Transit Center, the section of track that provides landscaped views of Tempe Butte (aka “A” Mountain), the immediate access to all that Mill Avenue has to offer from the Mill Avenue/3rd Street station, and finally, cruising over Tempe Town Lake on the multi-colored light bridge.  From our perspective, it is easy to see why Downtown Tempe’s section boasts the best part of the rail.  (Honorable mentions must be given to Phoenix for the 44th Street/Washington station that provides quick access to Sky Harbor airport as well as the 3rd Street and Washington/Jefferson stations that drop passengers off directly next to the professional sports stadiums in downtown Phoenix.  With the addition of the light rail running through the center of downtown Phoenix, it is now much easier to see Phoenix developing into a truly revitalized downtown environment that any urbanite would enjoy.  Without the rail, it was much more difficult to see that evolution!)

Another observation was the amount of phone calls we’ve received from potential clients immediately following the light rail grand opening.  Their common request: “We want to live within walking distance of the light rail!”  Of course, as an urban real estate company we have always predicted this.  We just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly!  This is a fantastic indication of what the long term effects might be for both businesses and the loft condominium developments near the light rail stations.  Not only in downtown Tempe, but all along the light rail’s path.

Now that the tracks are hot, it is easy to see how the Metro light rail will become a major draw for urban living enthusiasts in Arizona.

Contact Tom Tokoph | 602.549.9000 for more

Or click here for information on living near a light rail station in Downtown Tempe.