Transit construction presents challenges, new opportunities

Editorial

The Business Journal

May 2, 2005

Businesses and residents along the proposed light rail route through the central part of the Valley are in for more than a few challenges.

Construction of the light rail link between northwest Phoenix and downtown Mesa is on the verge of getting started in earnest, and those along the route are about to learn what their counterparts in other cities have gone through.

Transit construction is a lot like making sausage. It's not a pleasant process for those up front and center. It is a long, arduous and messy proposition and businesses along such routes often are hammered by traffic disruptions, delays and overall hassles.

Valley Metro Rail and local governments have pledged to help those businesses impacted by rail construction to weather any storms and delays.

That includes a discount shopping program to help lure customers to shops and operations despite torn up streets and other construction barriers.

We think that is a good start, but more will have to be done to help small businesses, in particular, stay afloat during the construction project, which will take a number of years from start to finish.

Small businesses, industrial companies and retailers along the light rail route will need additional support. We think a region that readily hands out tax subsidies and other incentive packages to shopping mall developers, national retail chains, biotech labs and big state universities also can help out the mom and pop shops that are about to see their main streets torn up.

We're not calling for a handout, but there are things that can be done. We are calling for assistance when it comes to giving these shops the exposure needed to help their clients navigate the challenges that come with construction. We also think it will be critical for the city to maintain solid and open communication with all business owners as the timeline progresses.

Most importantly, the city should listen and be responsive to the concerns raised now and in the future.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and other top rail backers from the business and political realms talk about an "opportunity corridor" between Arizona State University's main campus in Tempe and the state Capitol.

That corridor just happens to be an important portion of light rail, which will run through downtown Phoenix, just north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and across ASU Tempe.

Transit construction will create plenty of challenges for businesses along the route, but it's also an opportunity to help to impacted small businesses stay afloat and encourage economic development.