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South Central TOD Community Plan: Implementation Efforts

South Central Community Engagement Photo

In 2022, the Phoenix City Council adopted the South Central Transit Oriented Development Community Plan, which was created with the community and guides future development surrounding the light rail corridor. Following adoption of the plan, several key tasks identified by the community as priorities are being evaluated for implementation.

These efforts will work toward achieving the established South Central TOD Community Plan’s shared vision for environmentally equitable, compact, and connected communities that: are sustainable and resilient; show incremental change and growth; and make a world-class regional destination that supports local small businesses, shares cultures, and improves health for existing and future residents.

The South Central Corridor is generally bound between the 7’s (7th Street and 7th Avenue), the Union Pacific Railroad on the north, and South Mountain Avenue on the south. The Community Plan identifies four distinct areas, each uniquely focused on the people’s history, character, uses, and aspirations to blend community identified investments and enhancements in an equitable way. The four areas are: North of the Interstate 17 Freeway (I-17), at the Rio Salado, South of the Rio Salado and most adjacent to South Mountain.

In 2016 the City of Phoenix was awarded a federal grant to engage the community and support local businesses along the South Central Avenue light rail extension. This project resulted in the South Central Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Community Plan, which was adopted by Phoenix City Council in March 2022. The City of Phoenix received a second federal grant to implement a series of government-led actions  from the Community Plan. The City hired a consultant team to facilitate the implementation of these actions in coordination with several community-based organizations. Working together with public and private partnerships will help ensure consistency with the community-based vision and  maximize implementation outcomes toward holistic results in alignment with the community vision.  The community vision as articualted in the plan is as follows: 

The South Central Corridor rejects displacement of our existing residents and businesses and celebrates our diverse cultural heritage. We support equitable transit-oriented development, designed as a sustainable future that improves the quality of life for all existing and future families and residents of this corridor.

 

South Central TOD Community Plan (City Council Adopted​)​​​

Other Projects and Resources:

    Key Implementation Tasks

    The implementation phase is organized into four primary tasks.

    The project team is currently looking at existing zoning, development, design, and streetscape standards. This will help the team identify opportunities for character area recommendations that align with the unique conditions of the corridor and the community-based vision. 

    For this task, the team will evaluate and record current and projected infrastructure needs that align with the community-based vision for the future, particularly in anticipation of a revitalized walkable design.  A key part of this task will include the evaluation of the pedestrian network to find any gaps connecting to and from new light rail station areas, and then recommending opportunities for sidewalks, curbs, street lighting, trees, shade, art, and other infrastructure elements. 

    This is a task will look for opportunities to preserve existing and create new affordable housing in the South Central Corridor. It will also look at gaps and opportunities for public and private partners to work together to maintain a healthy balance as the corridor grows.

    This task focuses on supporting community-scale economic growth and prosperity from within to allow residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share in the growth and prosperity as the area grows. The project team will recommend community-based solutions to realize the goals and objectives in the Community Plan, including proposing new programs aimed at community wealth building.

    Project Timeline

    The project will span from August 2024 through December 2026. It will include several opportunities for community input at key milestones.

    Coming soon!

    Contact Information

    E-mail us @ pdd.longrange@phoenix.gov​

    Or call us @ 602-534-3753