Tagged : light rail stations

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…

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…

The McDowell and Central platform is just south of McDowell: it's is the one you take for places like the Phoenix Public Library, Phoenix Art Museum and then the southern end of Willo Historic District, Upper end of Roosevelt or the highly regarded Artisan Lofts on Central.  That's why it's called the Cultural District. 

Photos: Artur Ciesielski

The Art

"Flanked by the Burton Barr Public Library and Phoenix Art Museum, the McDowell station was a perfect match for local artist Michael Maglich. A generous man, brimming with curiosity and wit, Michael envisioned A Thousand Points of Reference as a celebration of the diverse possibilities available to the institutes’ patrons as well as the nearby neighborhoods.

Bronze books are scattered…

The Van Buren light rail station and platforms sit on both Central Ave. and 1st Ave. and straddle the Central Phoenix Transit Station.  The station also includes several historic city buses and is surrounded by a park and high-rises both old and new

This is a major platform always full of people.  The density of buildings is much greater here then a many of the other station and includes the recently adds Arizona State University downtown campus which continues to grow and bring lots of life to the downtown Phoenix area.  This is where the high-rises surround the station, with thousands of people busy at work and study.

The Platform Art

"...the environment is one of movement and change. Washington State artist Ries Niemi choseto focus his…