Way to Go, Mr. Mayor: Great Show for Valley Metro Light Rail Transit

Here's the MUST-SEE REVEAL promised in the Press Release from Valley Metro for the 5th Milestone Celebration of the Central Mesa Extension Project that took place in front of City Hall Plaza at 9:00 this morning.

With a great deal of hoopla and fanfare, John Giles summoned four members of the City Council  to appear with him and shout out "Move That Train!

John Giles, Downtown Cheerleader

Members of the Mayor's Youth Corps had been stationed on the platform hidden between an eastbound light rail car and one headed west. When the City Council and mayor gave the shout, sure enough the eastbound train moved out of the station to reveal "the secret announcement" to the roar and pleasure of the crowd at City Hall Plaza.

John Giles is gaining points in showmanship and getting media savvy for being such a mild-mannered and calm guy. He rises to the public celebration fulfilling the promise of light rail transit made under his predecessor Scott Smith with his tactic of "Under-Promise & Over-Deliver" . . . The contractor for Valley Metro's CME received a significant incentive bonus for getting the job done way ahead of schedule.  Who knows? The New Urban Downtown Mesa might become the Arts & Entertainment District that so many stakeholders, both public and private, have invested in already. Light rail is one part of the infrastructure as a people-mover for visitors [who arrive and leave] to attend events. The big institutions can do visitor counts in the millions to attractions downtown, but admittedly increasing a higher-density, low-impact regeneration of downtown Mesa's resident population of about 3,000 deserves some attention with everything else.

Rob Antoniak

Events are not just what people you see in the spotlight or you see in the news. There are a lot of people "behind-the-scenes" to make sure these celebrations go smoothly.

Here's Valley Metro's Community Outreach Director for the Central Mesa Extension Project, checking up on a small detail for the sound system at today's celebration.

Davis Entertainment, a business at 37 W Main Street, set up the sound systems starting at 7:00 a.m.

Link > Davis Entertainment

Downtown Rendezvous, located in the lobby and back terrace of City Hall Plaza, provided catering and refreshments.