04-25-06 TODAY'S NEWS!

The first article, Interest in Arizona commuter rail grows, from the Arizona Republic, reports that state and regional transportation agencies are launching new studies this months to see if commuter rail can work in Arizona, and a statewide transit conference this week in Tempe aims to rekindle interest in heavy passenger rail, which is nothing like light rail. Locals envision service linking Phoenix with Tucson and fast growing suburbs in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.The concept is to use existing railroad tracks to set up a commuter rail system. Union Pacific and Burlington Northern control the tracks around the metro Phoenix and Pinal County areas, and the state and county agencies would need to negotiate with them for track usage and expansion. The article cites several Western states success with commuter rail.

Interest in Arizona commuter rail grows
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/print.php?referer=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0425commuterrail.html



The second article, Retail development on way to booming Pinal County, from the Arizona Republic, reports that with Pinal County's booming population growth expected in the coming years, retail development is in the works to serve this growing area. The Ak-Chin tribe south of Maricopa just announced a 260-acre retail development that will contain big-box stores, restaurants and offices on land around the Ak-Chin casino south of the city of Maricopa. Pederson Group and WDP Partners have a 1 million-square-foot retail center near Casa Grande at Interstate 10 and Florence Blvd. expected to open in late 2007. Coolidge has a future Westcor mall site that will start once Coolidge's population hits 200,000. Queen Creek, another high growth area at the Maricopa and Pinal county border, is moving forward on a 1 million square-foot retail center at Ellsworth and Ocotillo roads.

Retail development on way to booming Pinal County
http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/print.php?referer=http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0425biz-cr-AkChin0425.html