ARIZONA NEWS

Communities near Phoenix Sky Harbor to get makeover with Cultural Corridor project

Jun 25, 2023, 2:00 PM | Updated: 3:28 pm

Stock photo of airplanes lining up at Sky Harbor Airport as travelers prepare for Memorial Day comm...

(Sky Harbor International Airport Photo)

(Sky Harbor International Airport Photo)

PHOENIX — The City of Phoenix Aviation Department received a $10 million grant from the federal government to create a “Cultural Corridor.”

The funding is from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant which will reconnect disadvantaged and underserved communities adjacent to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with downtown Phoenix, the city said in a press release.

RAISE grants are a discretionary grant program that funds surface transportation and infrastructure projects like the PHX Cultural Corridor.

The Cultural Corridor is bounded by 7th Street on the west, 16th Street and Sky Harbor Circle on the east, Union Pacific Railroad north, and I-17 south. It will include the historic Central City South/Nuestro Barrio neighborhoods of El Campito, Cuatro Milpas, Ann Ott, Green Valley and San Juan Batista.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said it is exciting for the neighborhoods to receive this kind of recognition.

“This grant will enable us to honor the legacies, histories and identities of existing communities while also improving safety and mobility in the region. I represented this district for many years as a councilwoman and know firsthand that this project will have an immediate, positive impact once complete,” Gallego said in the press release.

The main goals of the Cultural Corridor project are stabilizing and strengthening neighborhoods, creating a sense of identity and changing perceptions and expanding economic opportunity, the release said.

The corridor will add ADA-compliant sidewalks, streetlights and protected bike lanes. Also, wayfinding elements and historic building and site markers will be deployed along with the construction of bus shelters, re-establishing utility connections and installation of public art, according to the city.

“Sky Harbor’s success should be a point of pride for all Phoenicians — but for many in the surrounding area, the airport’s growth has separated them from their neighbors and from economic opportunity,” Rep. Greg Stanton said. “We’re putting Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to work to reconnect and revitalize these communities, while honoring their history.”

District 8 Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington said the grant provides an opportunity to make significant improvements in the area.

“Our residents were clear that they wanted to return vacant lots to productive use so that we can create a vibrant live-work environment and they wanted to celebrate the rich history of our community; this grant will allow us to respond to those requests,” she said.

“I also want to thank Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Congressman Greg Stanton, Congressman Ruben Gallego and Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema for their work on behalf of my constituents.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Edmund Davis...

Danny Shapiro

Man connected to Alicia Navarro case gets 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children

A Montana man who admitted he was the boyfriend of Alicia Navarro, the Glendale girl who went missing for four years, received a 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children, authorities announced Tuesday.

12 minutes ago

$50K winning Powerball ticket sold in Scottsdale Safeway...

Serena O'Sullivan

Powerball ticket worth $50K sold in Scottsdale grocery store

A winning Powerball ticket worth $50,000 was recently sold in a Safeway in Scottsdale, according to a Tuesday Arizona Lottery news release.

1 hour ago

Brady Fire...

Danny Shapiro

Brady Fire forces evacuations for residents south of Prescott

The Brady Fire that sparked Monday afternoon forced evacuations for some residents south of Prescott, authorities said.

3 hours ago

Avondale man killed by Florida police after killing 2...

Serena O'Sullivan

Avondale man shot by Florida deputies after killing 2 in armed gas station robbery

Avondale man Dominic Caroway was killed in Florida after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a manhunt following a fatal armed robbery.

4 hours ago

Arizona gas prices have risen by 28 cents per gallon in the last month....

Kevin Stone

Here’s why Arizonans are feeling more pain at pump than most of nation

Arizona gas prices have been rising at a significantly faster pace than the rest of the nation over the last month, and the worst is yet to come.

5 hours ago

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has downsized his external communications staff from seven to ...

Associated Press

New Maricopa County recorder signals shift away from combating disinformation

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is moving away from the office's previous efforts to combat misinformation.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

Communities near Phoenix Sky Harbor to get makeover with Cultural Corridor project