Light Rail - Light Rail Blogger - Phoenix » Downtown

A Car-Lite Lifestyle in Downtown Phoenix

Si Robins — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:01:52 +0000

Si Robins is one of several guests bloggers this week on LRB. Si is the editor and a writer for Downtown Phoenix Journal, a website which covers issues and events in our urban core. Si, a downtown resident, prefers to rely on his bike to get around the city.

Since I moved to downtown Phoenix I have relied on my car less and less, and I can’t say I miss the countless hours a week I used to spend sitting in traffic on Valley freeways. When I lived and worked in the East Valley, my car was seemingly as essential as a roof over my head. Traveling to and from my former job in north Scottsdale was a daily exercise in patience and planning — at certain points of the day the 101 literally resembles a parking lot — and I lost a lot of valuable time stopping and going.

When I began working from home last year, it was a welcomed change. I saved gas money, saved time, lessened Valley smog and kept my blood pressure at a minimum. I invested in a bike and took to exploring my neighborhood WiFi hot spots. Working from home can drive even the biggest homebody crazy, so I often travel to coffeehouses, office spaces and other free Internet spots in my ‘hood to keep my sanity.

As I began a freelance-like life (though not a freelancer myself), I was living in the Roosevelt Historic District near Local Breeze and Cibo. Bike culture in this neighborhood is growing — Local Breeze gives a 10% discount to bike riders, and the massive Roosevelt Square apartment complex is home to hundreds of bikers. Roosevelt is home to bike lanes on 3rd and 5th avenues, and they take you to the city core to the south or all the way up to Midtown Phoenix to the north. These bike lanes became my new best friend.

It was not uncommon to see my Roosevelt neighbors pedaling through Hance Park or using the 3rd Avenue bike lane to head to the Willo neighborhood for a leisurely ride. I regularly enjoyed rides through Willo (although the lanes throughout this neighborhood are butt-busting and well worn) over to Encanto Park for picnics or recreation. I soon realized that using a combination of bike riding and light rail, I could get to nearly everywhere I go on a regular basis without ever starting up my car — what a revelation!

I’ve since moved a few blocks east to the Evans Churchill neighborhood, home of Roosevelt Row. This area is teeming with bike culture, as it is home to many urban commuters and bike-friendly spots. Most of my neighbors own bikes, and I am finding more bike-minded residents and visitors every day. The Roosevelt light rail station is only a few blocks away, and many that live in these parts have forgone the car altogether. Hoodride has been a gathering spot for über-bikers for years. Conspire‘s bike racks are always occupied. The Lost Leaf encourages patrons to bike instead of drive and stay for an extra beer. Bikes chained to parking meters are a regular site in front of Carly’s. And newly opened Giant Coffee, with limited parking availability, tells its clientele to take the rail, walk or bike when possible.

While I’m not quite ready to ditch the car (cross-Valley drives and roadtrips are tough on the bike), I’m pleased to say there is little reason to get into the car in a very auto-minded city like Phoenix. In the future, I hope to see downtown Phoenix embrace biking even further, especially with the growth of Arizona State’s downtown campus and developments like CityScape on the horizon.

Si Robins and "Stuart" can be seen riding the streets of Phoenix.

Weekend Fun

Tony Arranaga — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:52:42 +0000

A Critical Mass, a party fit for a queen, and a cool art exhibit at a Phoenix hot spot. These are just some of the events on my radar for this weekly edition of Weekend Fun along the light rail.

Friday, July 30

A Critical Mass of bikes will take to the streets of Phoenix once again! The nationwide monthly event aims to raise bike awareness on city streets. The group will ride for several miles so it’s a good idea to come prepared with some cold water and proper safety gear. The event starts at the 3rd Street entrance to Steele Indian School Park (Indian School Station). Riders should be in place and ready to leave with the group by 7 p.m. According to the Facebook event page, the group plans on heading to the Clarendon Hotel pool after the ride to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Saturday, July 31st

Lady Gaga is sure to dazzle the sold out crowd of adoring lil’ monsters when the unofficial Queen of Pop performs at the USAirways Center in downtown Phoenix. After the concert, you might want to head to the Lady G After Party located at the Madison Event Center (411 W Madison). The venue is located near the Central and Washington Station (WB trains) or the 1st Avenue and Jefferson Station (EB trains). Tickets to the event are $25 at the door or can be purchased online here. Doors open at 9 p.m. Don’t forget, concert ticket holders can ride the train for free on this night! Just use your ticket stub as proof of fare. If you’re coming to downtown from the outlying areas, try using one of the FREE Park and Ride lots and cut your drive time. Information the lots can be found on my blog here. If you don’t feel like walking around downtown once you’re here, try using one of the pedicab services.

Sunday, August 1st

Retro Hi Fi at SideBar. My favorite place in Phoenix.

UPDATE 1

An photo exhibit called This City is Cool featuring 160 Hipstamatic iPhone pics taken by Jason Hill (Sunday 8/1).

What do you have planned this weekend in Phoenix? Let me know by posting a comment below.

My Phoenix photocommute

Tony Arranaga — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:25:11 +0000

My friend and fellow blogger Nathan recently posted his photocommute in Phoenix. In his post, Nathan suggests the reader take 10 pictures of the things and places you see during your commute. Here is Nathan in his own words:

Sometimes we get complacent in our routine and forget about all the interesting things in our day to day. I challenge you to find 10 things in your commute that you find interesting. When you are looking you may be surprised to find that it is hard to narrow it to 10.

In honor of National Start! Walking Day, I left my bike at home and decided to hoof it over to Royal Coffee Bar – the place I call my satellite office on most mornings. Nathan asked us to take 10 pictures, however I messed up and took the same shot twice. Here are a few, the rest can be found on the Light Rail Blogger Facebook fan page.

The Nursing College at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus

A tree-lined sidewalk on my commute to work

My favorite plant in the sonoran desert

What does your photocommute look like?

Urban spaces along METRO light rail

Tony Arranaga — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:29:28 +0000

This is a continuing series on urban spaces along the METRO light-rail in Phoenix. Friend and guest blogger Jim suggested I document all of the major empty buildings/storefronts along the light rail as possible sites for new urban spaces (post). The building below is one of my favorite in all of downtown Phoenix. The 1930′s-era structure was once featured in movies and recent plans had crews ready to turn the place into a 150 room boutique hotel just steps from the light rail station at Central and Van Buren. Alas, the real estate bubble burst and now the foreclosed property is heading to auction in April. Hopefully the new owners will keep moving forward with the hotel plans. What would you like to see here?

This post is part of a 30 day blogging challenge (#30daybc) with friends Irene, Seth and Ryan. Please take a second and check out their blogs as well. Thanks!

Devoured at the Phoenix Art Museum

Tony Arranaga — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:15:49 +0000

The Phoenix Art Museum in Downtown Phoenix (McDowell station) is hosting the premiere culinary event in the heart of the Valley. Devoured takes place this weekend at the same great location but under a new name. In case you’re not familiar with Devoured, it’s an event to promote producers and purveyors of fine food in the heart of the Valley and to further Phoenix as an international dining destination. Read more on the event website here. The event runs from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Click on the link above for more information and click here for information on how to ride the METRO light-rail.