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        <title>The Latest Issue In Phoenix</title>
        <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/tags/light-rail/</link>
        <description>The Latest Issue is not only a blog focusing on Central Phoenix, but also an exploration of the science of real estate, living and eating in urban Central Phoenix.</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-trolley.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-trolley.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>The Phoenix Trolley Museum</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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.


The Phoenix Trolley project was started in 1975 by a group of individuals who purchased one of the last remaining bodies of an original Phoenix Streetcar. The project became a Museum and was established as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation in 1978. Since that time, a Car Barn has been constructed, and Streetcar #116 has been partially restored and made operational. One additional car has been obtained by the Museum and we now have two Streetcars in various stages of restoration: our Flagship #116, and its sister car #504 (#108).  

- Phoenix Trolley Museum




It's well worth a visit not only to learn some history, but also to view how beautiful these machines were.


Where: 25 W. Culver St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004 The Phoenix Trolley Museum
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            <pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:38:24 -0700</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-light-rail-stations-at-12th-st-washington-and-12th-st-jefferson.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-light-rail-stations-at-12th-st-washington-and-12th-st-jefferson.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>Phoenix Light Rail Stations at 12th St / Washington And 12th St  / Jefferson</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 to look at the photos and the narrative at the station as it will enrich your knowlage of this area. See what's for sale around this station.





[ Eastlake Park Light Rail Station | Photos: Artur Ciesielski ]


Light Rail Public Art



"Victor Mario Zaballa, a San Francisco artist, collected stories and photographs from the nearby neighborhoods to create a series of quilt-patterned walls of hand- painted tiles. On the traffic side of the station platform, the patterned tiles reflect the art deco details on the surrounding historic buildings. 


On the commuter side of the platform, the colorfully painted tiles showcase area landmarks and honor dynamic neighborhood residents, evoking the history of the community through its celebrations and community events. The quilt patterns recall the universal role of quilts common through all the cultures of the world.


This theme is continued in rustic terrazzo pavers set throughout the walkways and brightly painted steel railings; the railings have the look of Mexican paper cuts, which are spaced between the tiled walls to complete the station." (Metro Light Rail Book)
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:08:20 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-homes-search-near-bus-stop-or-light-rail-station.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/phoenix-homes-search-near-bus-stop-or-light-rail-station.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>Phoenix Homes Search Near Bus Stop Or Light Rail Station</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 listing brokers input the information into the MLS. On occasions I have seen homes listed as being 'near light rail stop' that were a mile or more away. Clearly few will venture to walk a mile to get to a station. Some don't know you can select this and the properties may not show up.


That's where the light rail section comes in to help. Those specially pre-made searches are map based so all properties within walking distance - up to 1,500 feet from a station - will be included irregardless of what the listing broker put into the MLS.


We're ever expanding the website and its abilities to suite our users needs. If there is something you ever need adjusted or added please let us know.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 14:48:54 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/view-and-search-properties-lofts-homes-and-condos-along-the-phoenix-metro-light-rail.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/view-and-search-properties-lofts-homes-and-condos-along-the-phoenix-metro-light-rail.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>View And Search Properties, Lofts, Homes And Condos Along The Phoenix Metro Light Rail</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 to search for homes and explore the light rail stations and what's around them.


We have one major search which includes search-able properties all along the corridor within 3 blocks on each side.


One can also view and refine homes by specific light rail station.  An example is on the photo to the right which is a pre-made radius search around the Central and Camelback Light Rail Station which includes neighborhoods such as Windsor Square, Medlock Place, St. Francis and Pierson Place.


You can also view, for instance, all home or all condos along the light rail.


Lastly we profile each of the station and the, often, spectacular public art at many of the 28 station.  There is a link to download the rarely seen Metro Light Rail book and additional resources.


This is a growing section so more will come and we welcome contribution and suggestions.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 02 May 2011 20:15:35 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/the-light-rail-station-at-indian-school-central-avenue.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/the-light-rail-station-at-indian-school-central-avenue.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>The Light Rail Station At Indian School &amp; Central Avenue</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 been around for only 2 years.  So the are as the dream of a vibrant midtown Phoenix are a bit tarnished, though only for a while.





Urban Public Art


The Indian School station is adjacent to the former Phoenix Indian School, which has been converted to Indian Steele Park. Tucson artist Mary Lucking observed first hand the changes that transformed this neighborhood. Respectful of the history of the area, Mary focused on the people and institutions that existed before the station.


There are three major elements on the station: glass panels along the entry walkway, terrazzo carpets at the entrance to the stations, and photo tiles on the columns.


Each aspect reflects history. Glowing red glass panels are composed of historic photographs of buildings and streets, aerial photographs of the neighborhood, maps, and text. Terrazzos provide a unique view, facing north and south, of how Central Avenue appeared before the station was built. 


Tiles mounted to the station columns provide snapshots of the lives of nearby residents including children who attended the Indian school in the 1940’s, ‘50s and ‘60s. Landmarks such as the Carnation Dairy and the first McDonald’s restaurant are enshrined here.


Mary worked closely with residents and with Native American communities linked to this location to capture and explore their stories. (from Metro Art Book)
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            <pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:07:00 -0700</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/an-end-light-rail-station-19th-avenue-and-montebello.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/an-end-light-rail-station-19th-avenue-and-montebello.html</link>
            <author>joanna@inphoenix.com (Joanna Zajusz)</author>
            <title>An End Light Rail Station, 19th Avenue And Montebello</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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. Its high profile was designed to provide shade during the sometimes blistering morning and late afternoon hours. The artwork, 76 dichromatic panels hung across the top of the station columns, compliments this silhouette.


Phoenix-based artist Bob Adams served as the design team artist for this first section of the light rail project. Teamed with architects who shared his sleek, modernist aesthetic he worked to create a clean but dynamic design for this changing neighborhood.


Extending the entire length of the station, the panels are perforated in various sizes and placed directly across from each other to create a moiré effect. This, combined with the metallic purple/green dichromatic paint creates a constantly shifting pattern that is set into motion by the movement of both train and traffic. The art acts as a shifting reflectionof the passage of time and motion, a visual refraction of the light and activity around it.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:08:33 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/dorsey-ln-apache-blvd-light-rail-station-in-tempe.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/dorsey-ln-apache-blvd-light-rail-station-in-tempe.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>Dorsey Ln &amp; Apache Blvd Light Rail Station in Tempe</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  

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 along Apache Boulevard followed a slightly different model from the rest. Rather than selecting one artist per station, four were chosen to work together, each in a separate specialty. Portland artist Christine Bourdette, to create artwork in the green screen; Seattle artist Dan Corson as a lighting artist; Seattle artist Benson Shaw selected to create artwork in the paving; and New York artist Suikang Zhao for sculptural pieces.


The four collaborated on a theme that loosely tied their works together and then set about making dynamic pieces that interweave and catch the viewer’s eye at every level.


The Space Between is the collective title for the Dorsey station artworks. Echoing this theme, Zhao’s cast bronze Hands stand 21-feet high, towering over the


entryway. The lacy interwoven surface suggests conversations in different languages.


Corson’s chrome skeletal remains of a Saguaro is hollow inside with dramatic lighting that focuses attention on both interior and exterior surfaces.


Shaw’s Energize pavers radiate out from the center of the platform relating stories and anecdotes collected from the Apache neighborhood.


Finally, Bourdette’s richly colored mosaic boxes, Points of View, present both human and animal figures, on each side of the green screen separate yet engaged and seemingly in dialogue." (Metro Art Book)
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:57:05 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/7th-avenue-and-camelback-light-rail-station.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/7th-avenue-and-camelback-light-rail-station.html</link>
            <author>artur@inphoenix.com (Artur Ciesielski)</author>
            <title>7th Avenue And Camelback Light Rail Station</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The 7th Ave. &amp; 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 ina bizarre and continuously unfolding narrative.


Owens focused on creating an experience for riders who might walk this path of changing color and form as part of a daily commute. The imagery ranges from the straightforward to the metaphorical, obvious to abstract. Within the cartoons, mazes, and word-puzzles, there are observations about natural process and phenomenon, and references to local characteristics.The underlying social statement is that of the journey being more than the destination." (Metro Light Rail Book)
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:24:05 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/park-central-phoenix-light-rail-station.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/park-central-phoenix-light-rail-station.html</link>
            <author>joanna@inphoenix.com (Joanna Zajusz)</author>
            <title>Park Central Phoenix Light Rail Station</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
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 mostly composed of office buildings surrounded by a mix of condo complexes and single family home neighborhoods.  One Lexington is here.  That's the beautiful building on the top right photo.  It's a high-rise of condo lofts with high quality finishes and amazing views including of the Phoenix Mountains to the north or the Midtown/Downtown area to the south.


The Station's Public Art


"This station is across from what once was historic Park Central Mall. The area has grown and changed over the years and is emerging now as a truly urban mixed use space with offices, shops and residential units.North Carolina Artist Thomas Sayre was originally steered toward creating a large artwork in the entranceway but, given the space constraints, decided to engage the rider along the entire station platform.


Conceptually, the artwork emphasizes that the audience and the subject for the project are the riders themselves. The theme is waiting and what people do while waiting for the next train. Tapping Time depicts, via cast bronze shoe prints, the activities of approximately 100 people for five seconds after a southbound train has stopped on the west side of the platform. 


Half of the people at the station are positioned to board the southbound train while the rest wait the northbound train. A range of people are depicted with business shoes, cowboy boots, moccasins, sandals, military boots, construction boots, flip flops, and children’s shoes. 


Other markings indicate wheelchairs, cane-assisted walking, a stroller and street musicians. " (Metro Art Book)
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            <pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:22:10 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/campbell-central-metro-light-rail-station.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.inphoenix.com/blog/campbell-central-metro-light-rail-station.html</link>
            <author>joanna@inphoenix.com (Joanna Zajusz)</author>
            <title>Campbell &amp; Central Metro Light Rail Station</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Do you want some of the better coffee in town and some decadent traditional, sometimes with a twist, pastries or just to hang out surrounded by an energy resonation inside and out? Then this would be your stop at Lux Coffee. 


But, besides the coffee this stop is the main on off point for Central High, several historic neighborhoods and some businesses like the Slippery Pig Bike Shop.  A few large lots await the next building boom.





Photos: Artur Ciesielski


The Art At The Station


"For Al Price, a local artist and former teacher, the goal of the artwork at the Campbell station was to provide a dynamic and engaging experience for students attending nearby high schools and to create a feeling of elegance timelessness for the neighborhood.


A hyperbolic parabola, derived from the shade canopy, is the starting point for a three-dimensional grid that undulates and flows, creating both heightened spatial depth and water-like motion.


The entry way sculpture takes advantage of the changing perspective of a viewer who is in motion: from below, the simple geometric shapes overleap and slide past each other resulting in a dynamic optimal effect. 


The artwork also casts amazing shadow patterns on the different surfaces below, which change depending on the position of the sun." (Metro Art Book)
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            <pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:33:30 -0700</pubDate>
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