PHOENIX—** In a landmark decision, Mayor Kate Gallego and the Phoenix City Council have voted to name the upcoming downtown transit hub in honor of former Mayor and current U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04).
Stanton, who championed the Transportation 2050 plan during his mayoral tenure, was instrumental in the 2015 initiative that funded critical street and transit improvements, including tripling the light rail system, expanding late-night bus and Dial-a-Ride services citywide, and adding bike lanes. The Phoenix Heritage Commission endorsed the City Council’s recommendation earlier this month.
“I’m delighted that the new Central Station Transit Hub will bear the name of one of Phoenix’s strongest advocates for accessible public transportation,” Mayor Gallego stated. “Greg Stanton’s leadership was crucial in transforming our transit infrastructure, and this honor reflects the profound impact of his efforts on the city’s mobility and connectivity.”
Stanton expressed his gratitude, saying, “Witnessing my father’s daily bus rides underscored for me the importance of public transit for working-class families. My entire career has been dedicated to expanding reliable and affordable transit options, and this recognition is a true honor. I appreciate Mayor Gallego and the City Council for their continued commitment to enhancing Phoenix’s transit system.”
The Greg Stanton Central Station will be located on Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix. The 1-million-square-foot mixed-use development, situated near Civic Space Park and Arizona State University’s Downtown Campus, is set to become operational next year. It will support over 400 bus trips and nearly 200 rail trips daily, featuring numerous local bus routes, the DASH circulator, Dial-a-Ride paratransit service, RAPID and Express bus routes, and the ASU intercampus shuttle. The station will also offer light rail service extending to Northwest Phoenix and the East Valley, with further expansion planned through the South-Central light rail extension.
