Light rail extension bad for business in downtown Mesa
Michael Rudd
Chaos will beset downtown Mesa, again.
The historic downtown area is going through yet another renovation, prepping to begin more extensive construction on the extension of the Valley Metro Light Rail.
The light rail currently travels from 19th Avenue and Montebello in Phoenix to Dobson Road and Sycamore Drive in Mesa.
Wayne Pomeroy, a relative of one of the founding families of Mesa, said, “Throughout my time in the downtown area I have seen it go through many renovations.” Pomeroy is the original and current owner of Pomeroy’s Men’s Store which was established in 1951.
The downtown Mesa area is full of small businesses that rely on foot traffic down Main Street. These small businesses are already struggling with business and with the light rail due to come to town many of the owners are nervous about the possible effects. Jeff Gunnell, owner of Gunnell’s Jewelry said, “The light rail construction will draw people away from the downtown area and force me to close my business.”
The Mesa Drive Light Rail extension is set to be a 3.1 mile extension from Dobson Road and Main Street to Mesa Drive and Main Street.
The light rail extension has been in the design phase since the fall of 2010. The construction began in October 2012, preparing the roads for the construction of the light rail.
The Downtown Mesa Association is the governing body that helps the business and tourism in downtown Mesa grow.
Downtown Mesa Association Executive Director David Short said, “Our businesses are very apprehensive about this construction and the short term effects it will have on their businesses. They know in the long run this will be beneficial to their business but the short term effect may be devastating.”
Many historic businesses currently make home in downtown Mesa.
Linton-Milano’s Music Center, which is Arizona’s largest music store and has been around since 1946, has showed its apprehension of this project as well.
John Linton, owner of Linton-Milano Music Center, said, “Our customers are drawn to the store from the front of our building, we do have parking in the back of our building but it is going to be difficult to keep customers coming when the front of our store is going to be blocked by the construction that will be coming from the light rail.”
The Downtown Mesa Association has been working with Valley Metro to ensure what is done is best for the historic downtown area.
In a recent press release from Valley Metro it states, “The construction of the Central Mesa Extension will generate more than 700 local jobs at the peak of construction in 2013 and 2014.”
Pomeroy said in response to the job creation, “While the construction may create jobs for construction workers it may make us shut our doors.
“When the construction is through, there may be nothing left in downtown Mesa for these riders to see.”
The construction on the project is set to extend to further parts of the Valley as well.
The construction of the Mesa extension is set to conclude in 2016.
