August 6, 2004 - For Immediate Release                                                                                           

Valley Metro Rail Receives Federal Excellence Award

for Innovative Transportation Planning

Valley Metro Rail has received a prestigious national award from the top federal transportation agencies for its joint effort with the City of Phoenix in encouraging smart land use planning near light rail stations. 

The Transportation Planning Excellence Award is given jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration in coordination with the American Planning Association to organizations nationwide who have demonstrated outstanding initiatives to develop, plan and implement innovative transportation planning practices.  

Valley Metro Rail received the award for its Comprehensive Program on Transit Supportive Land Use, developed with the City of Phoenix to encourage transit-compatible land uses that complement plans for light rail in the area.  Highlights of the program include a transit overlay zone near light rail stations that encourage people-oriented uses, modification of the building code to provide the opportunity for additional accessible housing and a market analysis to understand the development potential at station areas.

The goal of the program is to ensure future development is compatible with light rail, and to make light rail stations and nearby areas people-friendly to encourage use of the system. 

-more-

Add One

Valley Metro Rail Receives ExcellenceAward

“Through this program, Phoenix is helping to ensure the success of its upcoming light rail system,” according to the award selection panel. 

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who chairs the Valley Metro Rail Board, emphasized the City of Phoenix’s efforts to be proactive in encouraging transit-supportive uses around light rail before the METRO system is built.

“Light rail is a valuable investment in the future of the City of Phoenix and our entire region,” said Gordon.  “We are maximizing our investment in light rail by ensuring smart development happens near rail stations.”

“It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts by the federal agencies who oversee our nation’s transportation system,” said Valley Metro Rail CEO Rick Simonetta. “This award is a symbol of our community’s dedication to making METRO light rail the best system possible.”

More than 240 applications were submitted in 10 award categories.  Valley Metro Rail received the award in the category of Transportation and Land Use Integration.  

Valley Metro Rail is a non-profit, public corporation overseeing the design, construction and operation of the light rail system. Major construction will begin this summer. The system is scheduled to open in late 2008. 

For more information about the Valley’s light rail system, visit www.valleymetro.org or call (602) 534-1807.

###