By Alexa Avila and SuElen Rivera
PHOENIX – The light rail extension plan will continue moving forward as is after the Phoenix City Council voted Wednesday, despite having received fierce opposition by some residents and local businesses.
Before Wednesday’s council vote, dozens of South Phoenix residents, community activists and business owners had the opportunity to express their position on the issue.
Michael Kelly has lived in South Phoenix his whole life and said he is certain the city council is doing the right thing by continuing with the project.
“The city council will support the will of the people and will vote for the expansion of the light rail system,” Kelly said.
Another Phoenix resident, Johnny Hernandez, said the change will revitalize the South Central Phoenix area, attracting more business for local companies.
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However, south Phoenix business owners Larry Cohen and George Vasquez fear the decrease of lanes from four to two on Central Avenue and the four year construction plan will only have negative effects on local businesses.
Cohen, who owns a jewelry store in the area, does not support the project.
“The light rail is bad for local business and will only bring more crime to our area,” Cohen said.
Vasquez, owner of a Poncho’s Mexican Food and Cantina, added he is disappointed by the decision and said his business will never be the same again.
The subject of the light rail has recently become more contentious, as citizen groups have unveiled respective campaigns aimed at highlighting their reasons for supporting it or not.
For some members serving on the city council, the light rail extension is a good way of adding another transportation resource to that specific area.
“South Phoenix deserves light rail, and it deserves a good plan,” said Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams. “Light rail spurs economic activity and connects residents to more work and education opportunities. I hope the council reaffirms its commitment to south Phoenix.”
In 2015, Arizona residents voted for Prop 104, an act which included funding for transit throughout the valley. That included the extension of the light rail into the southside of Phoenix.
Hours before the vote, Sam Stone, Chief of Staff for Councilman Sal DiCiccio said they didn’t expect to see any major changes happening at Wednesday’s council meeting. DiCiccio has been a staunch opponent of the plan.
“Absolutely nothing. This is a dog and pony show. City council was very clear right from the start they were going with the two lane configuration,” Stone said.
The 5.5 mile light rail extension would assist 28 percent of people living and working in the south Phoenix area that depend on public transportation. Valley Metro plans to begin construction in 2019 and end in 2023.