Tempe Moves Residents, Builds Sustainable Transportation Alternatives
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volume 27 ~ Issue 10 www.tempe.gov/newsroom October 2011 Tempe moves residents, builds sustainable transportation alternatives By City Councilmember Shana Ellis Transportation is vital for our continued efforts to make Tempe a sustainable and progressive community. As chair of the City Council Transportation Committee, I monitor and provide guidance for a vast array of transportation-related issues. Together, our community has accomplished many things over the last 15 years and Honoring veterans we have exciting opportunities to come. Several activities will take place next Things really began moving when Tempe voters passed a dedicated, half-cent sales month to honor veterans here in tax in 1996. Since then, the city has enhanced its bus and Dial-a-Ride systems, Tempe and throughout the country: launched Orbit neighborhood circulators, created a free youth transit pass program youth, added bikeways and pedestrian facilities, implemented light rail and •Families and community groups are constructed two green transportation facilities. welcome to attend the annual Veterans Day Parade in Tempe on Friday, Tempe’s transportation system moves more than just cars and buses. We have an Nov. 11, starting at 9 a.m. at ASU extensive bicycle and pedestrian network that is continuously being improved. In Gammage, on Mill Avenue south of 2011, we completed two key projects: improving the Crosscut Canal multi-use path; University Drive. The parade proceeds and revamping the streetscape, bike lanes and sidewalks of a section of College north on Mill, ending with a short Avenue. The Crosscut Canal path is now paved, with landscaping, solar lighting and ceremony in Tempe Beach Park. For public art. It provides a true regional connection by linking downtown Tempe and more information, call 480-968-0634. Scottsdale. The streetscape project has sustainable features like water harvesting •Mark your calendars for Saturday, and desert landscaping, along with reduced asphalt and added trees. It includes Nov. 5, for the Veterans History Project sidewalk improvements, raised medians, median islands, bicycle lanes, raised Open House at the Tempe History intersections and street narrowing. Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave. This “meet and greet” opportunity from Moving from the recent past to the present, Tempe has recently used regional and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is for veterans and federal grant funds to put 17 new hybrid-electric buses into service, replacing older, their families, the public and especially less fuel-efficient models. You can see them on our streets now – they hold more young people. Come talk with veterans passengers, produce fewer emissions and make less noise than conventional buses. of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the We are proud that they are visible signs of Tempe’s desire to innovate, conserve fuel Gulf Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. There and provide excellent customer service. will be refreshments and displays of military memorabilia. For more While the city has completed many great transportation projects and enhanced information, contact the Veterans the way we move people, there is still much work to be done. On the horizon is the History Project at 480-352-1466. establishment of a Tempe Streetcar. Planned to open in 2016, the Tempe Streetcar will run 2.6 miles along Mill Avenue between downtown Tempe and Southern •The original Armistice Day ended Avenue. It is critical to developing a total transit network in this region. The Tempe the hostilities of World War I on the Streetcar will support the existing transit system and community with its ability to 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th attract new riders, increase mobility, strengthen existing neighborhoods and create month of 1918. This year, on Nov. sustainable development. The project will provide one additional way to get around 11, which is 11/11/11, the Tempe History Museum will host the Concert Tempe – and so much more. for Peace. At 7 p.m., the Pangean Orchestra will perform songs of peace For details on Tempe’s transportation system, visit www.tempe.gov/tim. The City from across the world using exotic and Council Transportation Committee’s work plan is available at www.tempe.gov/ classical instruments. The museum is clerk/CouncilCommittees.htm. I also invite you to watch the October edition of located at 809 E. Southern Ave. Community Focus on Tempe 11 at www.tempe.gov/tempe11. Feel free to contact me at 480-350-8813 or via email at [email protected]. Tempe’s 2012 elections The Tempe City Clerk’s Office is gearing up for two elections next year and wants to provide accurate information to residents so they can find out what they need to know to participate. A Primary Election will be held March 13 and a General Election will be held May 15. The city’s Mayoral seat is open, as are three City Council seats. Information is available at www.tempe.gov/clerk includes: • Voter registration The Maricopa County Elections Department registers voters. Unregistered Tempe residents interested in voting in the Primary Election must register by Feb. 13, and by April 16 for the General Election. For more information, call the county at 602-506-3535, TDD 602-506-2348, or visit www.recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx. Residents also can register to vote or update existing voter registration at www.servicearizona.com. Pedestrian Bridge opens The beauty of the Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge is not •Early voting simply its design – glowing, ocean-blue lights and gracefully Voters will be able to cast their ballots for the Tempe bending arches – it’s also in its usefulness. elections prior to the election days. Early voting for the Primary Election starts Feb. 16, and on April 19 for The bridge, which joins the north and south banks of the General Election. Any registered voter may place their Tempe Town Lake at the Tempe Center for the Arts, cools name on a Permanent Early Voting List and an early ballot and shades the rubberized bladder dam system. This will automatically be mailed to the voter approximately will extend the life of the bladders. An advanced sprinkler 26 days prior to the specified election. For more details, system attached to the deck of the bridge comes on only contact Maricopa County using the information above. when needed to cool the bladders and conserve water. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the bridge, making it a • Candidate packets safe crossing for walkers, joggers, parents with strollers and Tempe residents interested in running for Mayor or City bicyclists. Council seats can pick up candidate packets at the City Clerk’s Office, 31 E. Fifth St. The Clerk’s Office is open The bridge was completed at the end of September, with Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each packet residents being able to use it in early October. For more provides all the information necessary to run for elected details, visit www.tempe.gov/lake and look for the link to the office in Tempe. The first day to file completed candidate Pedestrian Bridge update in the blue box. paperwork is Nov. 14 at 8 a.m. The last day to file candidate paperwork is Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. Mayor’s final State of the City Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 480-350-8241. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Tempe, presents Mayor Hugh Hallman’s State of the City Address on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 7-9 a.m. at Hundreds of residents giving the Buttes, 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe. For the final time before stepping down as Tempe’s top elected official, the costly repairs the SLiPP Mayor will be sharing his thoughts on the accomplishments Hundreds of eligible residents have signed up for Tempe’s of the last year and the challenges to come. This annual new Service Line Protection Program (SLiPP) since enrollment event provides a valuable opportunity to enjoy a breakfast began in September. SLiPP helps residents by providing with Valley civic, business and political leaders. Registration timely, reliable assistance when they’re facing repairs of water begins at 7 a.m. and Mayor Hallman will begin his speech or sewer lines. Many homeowners are unaware that they’re and presentation at 7:30 a.m. Advance tickets are required. responsible for the main water line that runs from their home Visit www.tempechamber.org or call 480-967-7891. to the city’s water meter, as well as the main sewer line that runs from their home to the city’s sewer main. If the lines become clogged, collapse or fail to operate, the homeowner Mark your calendars is responsible for any necessary repairs, which can be very • Ironman Arizona comes to Tempe on Sunday, Nov. 20, costly and aren’t covered by most home warranties. Owners of at Tempe Town Lake and other local locations. single-family, owner-occupied homes in Tempe can pay $12 a For more, visit www.ironmanarizona.com month (included in water utility bills) for the peace of mind of • The Fantasy of Lights Parade is Saturday, Nov. 26, knowing that repairs up to $5,000 will be covered. Residents 6p.m. in downtown Tempe. This kickoff event to the who subscribe get service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, holiday season is a wonderland for kids and adults. 365 days a year. Enroll at www.tempe.gov/slipp or by calling For more, visit www.millavenue.com 480-858-7547. Golf Tempe and see what’s new With new partners, a new brand and a new way of operating, we invite you to check out the city’s two municipal golf courses and see why Golf Tempe is an entirely new experience.