Metro Light Rail

The Phoenix Light Rail may seem new, but its really a rebirth of a mode of transportation which used to exist in Phoenix. Central Phoenix used to have an extensive trolley system which was removed with the advent of the automobile. It's too bad that that happened, but at lease some people had the foresight and fortitude to preserve what was left. This was done by The Phoenix Trolley project.

Searching for homes in Phoenix can be difficult because many of the areas don't have defined names by which to search and subdivisions are often quirky in name which does not come up in searches. This is especially true for places where the common name is different from the actual subdivision names. 

The 'location search' on the Phoenix homes listings search page allows you to put in the name of a community or subdivision, zip code or city an mls number and get matching results, but if you put in a name that is shared by other communities then…

The light rail stations, one on 12th Street and Jerrerson heading east and the other at 12th Street and Washington heading west are full of colorful mosaics, tapestries of tile and photos of people, homes and surrounding neighborhoods.

The area and station are nicer than I expected, in fact its got something attractive and enticing to it. Along the main streets there are lots of low profile business buildings and I'm sure many make the trip via the light rail to get to work here. Eastlake Park is the main residential neighborhoods with quirky small and older bungalow and ranch homes.

There is a townhome complex, Renaisance Park, within walking distance. I think with some effort this could be a really cool area. It's certaily worth a visit. Make sure…

Because of the increasing use of public transportation this website has made a few additions to the Phoenix homes search ability.

Users are now able to view and search homes near the light rails stations or bus stop. These options are under the 'Community Features' section in the homes search along with other options.

We do have an extensive page detailing each of the Valley Metro Light Rail stations and the homes around there, but this addition allows home searches more control over the search especially since this selection can be combined with any of the other criteria to hone in on the specific types of homes being searched for.

There is also the ability to search for properties near a bus stop.

A caveat.  This data is dependent on how…

The Phoenix Metro Light Rail has created an opportunity for many to commute to work without a car.  The line runs some 21 miles with 28 light rail stops.

We've been getting a lot of requests for properties along the light rail, anything from condos to lofts, to homes and there are many choices indeed.

The route is well chosen and runs through residential and commercial communities, business and educational districts.

Residential neighborhoods include many Phoenix historic districts, high rises like Lexington One, Artisan Lofts, Chateau on Central and other properties.  These come in all prices and sizes.

Also there are many rental choices from small fourplexes to large apartment communities.

Because of this demand we created several ways…

The light rail station at Indian School and Central Avenue is one where you can easily miss the next trail. It is filled with photographs of the areas history with photos from the early to mid century, often with a history from businesses and people who make this area what it is.  

It is a stop next to the Indian School Park on the East side and on the West an empty lot which only a year ago or so had a strip mall on it.  Now it's another vacant eye sore like so many that litter the area along the light rail: a lot awaiting better economic times.  Which means don't hold your breath.  

In fact, some of the art is very symbolic.  A mosaic in the sidewalk has been so worn one can barely discern it from the rest of the path and the light rail has…

The light rail station on 19th Avenue and Montebello is an end station.  You can't go any further North, at least not for a few more years.  Extensions are in the works, but it's will take some time.  This station ends at a mall and a busy intersection.  It's amazing how open the space around it is.  It an area ready to be built up, awaiting another boom or a deluge of people to Central Phoenix. 

It's not easy to find the public art here.  You'll need to look up and the description below the photo from the Metro Art Book, describes it well.

(Photos: Artur Ciesielski)

Light Rail Public Art From The 'Metro Art Book'

A terminus station on the METRO light rail starter line, the 19th Avenue and Montebello station is one of the tallest.…

This is an attractive station located on Apache Boulevard in Tempe.  Apache is a wide road and the surrounding architecture is mostly single story so the area feels very open and spacious.  The station itself is filled with colorful public are: it's dotted with sculptures, tile sculptures, inlaid tile, metal coins with messages. 

One could spend an hour or two just reading and enjoying the bursts of colors. The art here is a collaboration of four different artists.  The most imposing element are the hands reaching into the sky, but don't skip the details, like the pavers in the middle which relate stories and anecdotes collected from the Apache neighborhood.

photos: Artur Ciesielski ©

Metro Public Art

"Artwork at the four stations…

The 7th Ave. & Camelback area is somewhat a victim or a slowing economy and low quality of housing toward the West and somewhat a lack of caring or funds from the owners. 

The area is dirty, run down and simply puts Phoenix in a bad light. The store fronts are empty, trash is all over. 

It need not be like this, especially on such a busy street.

"The profile of the light rail stations, progresses from the very tall 19th/Montebello station to a very low lying 7th/Camelback station. The artist, Phoenix resident, Nubia Owens, was tasked with creating artwork that fit this more neighborly scale. Owens responded by creating a carpet of over 200 terrazzo pavers that curve and wind around the platform in
a bizarre and continuously unfolding…

This station is called Park Central due to the location next to Park Central, an old mall transformed into offices with a few restaurants.  Park Central Mall was finished in 1957 which was on the outskirts of town.  It replaced an old dairy farm.  Over time the mall died out as people headed to newer enclosed malls. 

Today Park Central has some bad opinions and it could be used better, but Phoenix has space and there is no need to increase density to this area while so many other lots remain empty.  Some of the current occupants include The Good Egg, one of the busiest Starbucks in the city, a wonderful delicious Thai Basil plus locations for Banner Health Systems and St. Joseph's Hospital.

photos: Artur Ciesielski

The neighborhood is…