22 August 2015

NOW IN SERVICE: Valley Metro Light Rail Central Mesa Extension > Open Today 22 August 2015


Image courtesy from Valley Metro Public Information & Communications Office
OPENING WITH A RARE SITING OF GLITTER IN THE NEW URBAN DOWNTOWN MESA

This extracted from NextCity: Mesa Mayor John Giles, addressing the crowd gathered in front of the Mesa Community Arts Center for the formal ribbon-cutting, called the opening “one of the biggest and best days in the history of Mesa” and predicted that the LRT line would transform the city center into a “great living room”  ? that would draw visitors from all over metro Phoenix.
Your MesaZona blogger doesn't get the reference to Disneyland in some reportings, but here we go again: The opening had more than a touch of Disney about it: Giles and other Mesa officials formally opened the ceremonial train by pressing a large “magic” button that opened the train doors while showering the crowd with glittering confetti, and the news story described “lines that rivaled Disneyland attractions” forming at each of the new extension’s three stations.
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/mesa-light-rail-london-victoria-upgrade

Yes it was hot at 8 o'clock in the morning . . . here's a change-up for visuals on the make-over On/Off Main Street

Pictures in a mosaic with the sites on Main Street in and around the opening ceremony.
PLEASE NOTE: image in top left center: green bikes for rent on Main Street?


Opening Ceremonies: too many speeches for this blogger even in the cool zone mist.
[altho the early morning "fog" was a very welcome comfort]







Panoramic view of the turnout for opening with "The Cone" at center middle ground.










No doubt a sight you won't see in mainstream media, but readers of this blog might recognize residents of Mesa Royale who kept the focus on the human cost of redevelopment.






After Six: 
MAIN STREET
Night Market

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