From LA to LAX, Seamlessly

A Transit Hub with Artistic Soul

What This Means for LA Communities

Getting There: Your Connection Options

• C Line (Green Line)
• K Line (Crenshaw/LAX Line)

What Travelers Can Expect

• Security cameras and enhanced lighting for safety
• Real-time train arrival information
• Clean, comfortable restrooms
• A bike hub for cyclists
• Climate-controlled waiting areas

A Celebration Worth Noting

Looking Forward

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Support Veterans

(Family Features) For those who have served in the U.S. armed forces, transitioning back to civilian life can be a challenge. However, community support can help make the transition easier for many veterans and provide those who offer that support – particularly young people – with rewarding opportunities and insight. Take, for example, Daniel Finney, who started volunteering at a local Department of Veterans Affairs hospital where his mother worked when he was 13 years old. At first, his mother simply wanted him to learn from the veterans and their experiences, but volunteering changed the trajectory of Finney’s life. He volunteered almost daily for the next 10 years, even inviting his friends to join him at the hospital. From that experience, Finney built valuable skills and chose to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant. “I chose to volunteer at the hospital not only because it was a great opportunity, but because I wanted to give back to our nation’s heroes who I felt were too often overlooked,” Finney said. “In addition, volunteering with dedicated health care professionals allowed me to discover the actual purpose for my current career path.” Not only did Finney reap personal rewards from volunteering and make a real difference in the lives of veterans, he also received tens of thousands of dollars in college scholarship money from DAV (Disabled American Veterans). The organization annually offers $110,000 in scholarships to student volunteers to be used toward accredited higher learning, including universities, colleges, community colleges and vocational schools. “I look at this scholarship as another door opening up,” Finney said. “This has allowed me to do so many things. One of them is to pay for college. I want to continue to be a civil servant wherever I go. I want to continue to help veterans, whether that’s a part of my job or whether I’m still volunteering. It can be working at a hospital or helping with a food drive for the homeless veteran community. It can be anything. I now have that desire ingrained in me to continue to serve our veterans.” These scholarships are open to students age 21 or younger who have contributed a minimum of 100 cumulative volunteer hours credited through DAV or DAV Auxiliary. Students can be nominated or may apply with the inclusion of an essay on what volunteering for veterans means to them. Learn more at DAVScholarships.org. For students, or anyone interested in giving back, consider a few other ideas for supporting the nation’s veterans. Express Your Gratitude Simply saying “thank you” can go a long way in expressing gratitude to veterans. Whether it’s through a handwritten note, a heartfelt conversation or a public acknowledgment at a community event, showing appreciation can help veterans feel valued and recognized for their service. Raise Awareness for Veterans’ Needs Learning about the challenges veterans face, such as service-related health issues, homelessness and underemployment, then advocating for supportive legislation and programming can go a long way toward improving their situations. For example, Amelia Marcum, another DAV scholarship recipient, developed a Native American veterans resource guide designed to provide veterans with key information about federal, state, community and tribal-based programs. She worked closely with Vietnam veteran and North Dakota state Sen. Richard Marcellais to bring the guide, which is now used by five tribal veterans resource service centers, to fruition. “Volunteering to serve the veteran community has been immensely transformative for me,” said Marcum, a direct descendent of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. “I discovered a profound sense of purpose in elevating support systems for Native veterans, a community that serves at the highest rates among ethnic groups yet often faces significant challenges in accessing the benefits they rightfully deserve.” Support Veteran-Owned Businesses Many veterans transition into entrepreneurship after their military careers, and your patronage not only helps their businesses thrive, but also puts money back into the local community. Look for veteran-owned businesses or use online directories to find veteran entrepreneurs when searching for specific goods and services.   SOURCE: DAV

Standing at the Central and Baseline terminus on Saturday, June 7, 2025, I witnessed more than just a ribbon cutting ceremony – I watched a community celebrate the end of decades of waiting and the beginning of a new era of connectivity. More than 5,000 community members, federal, state, and local officials gathered at this southern terminus to mark the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub, transforming Valley Metro into Phoenix’s first-ever two-line rail system.

A Moment Decades in the Making

The energy at Central and Baseline was electric as speakers took the stage to commemorate this $1.34 billion achievement. What struck me most was how each speaker emphasized not just the infrastructure, but the human impact of finally connecting South Phoenix to the broader Valley.

Mayor Kate Gallego captured the significance perfectly: “The completion of this project marks an important new connection for residents and moves us closer to our goals as a sustainable and accessible city. This historic extension introduces the region’s first two-line rail system, creates safer streets and new bike lanes, and adds shade and public art– all while connecting more residents to jobs, education, entertainment and other amenities across the Valley.”

Her words resonated with the crowd because they spoke to something deeper than transportation – they spoke to equity, opportunity, and community empowerment.

Federal Partnership, Local Impact

U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton’s remarks highlighted the crucial federal-local partnership that made this project possible, with federal grants providing more than half of the $1.34 billion funding alongside Phoenix Transportation 2050 and regional Proposition 400 investments.

“Arizonans understand that these infrastructure investments make us more connected and more prosperous,” Stanton told the gathered crowd. “As we now look westward for future light rail expansion and anticipate the extensions of the streetcar line in the East Valley, we’re in a magical moment in Phoenix’s history, and we can only keep up this momentum if we keep investing in ourselves.”

His vision of continued expansion gave the celebration a forward-looking energy – this wasn’t just an ending, but a beginning.

@stmblog

South Phoenix celebrates new light rail connection, marking a historic milestone in equity, transit, and community investment. SouthPhoenix, LightRail, TransitEquity, ValleyMetro, CommunityConnection www.stmdailynews.com ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews

Community Voices Finally Heard

The most powerful moments came when local council members spoke about what this extension means to their constituents. Phoenix District 7 Councilwoman Anna Hernandez’s excitement was palpable as she addressed the crowd:

“I am excited for the opening of the South Central Extension! The residents of South Phoenix and District 7 have waited a long time for light rail and I am excited for how this new extension will connect South Phoenix with the rest of the city. A robust public transportation and light rail are the future for our city and I am excited for how South Phoenix residents will benefit.”

Phoenix District 8 Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington delivered perhaps the most emotionally resonant speech of the day, speaking directly to the historical significance of this moment:

“This grand opening marks a transformative moment for South Phoenix. The South Central Extension represents direct access to local businesses and a community that has historically been disconnected and overlooked. South Phoenix deserves investment, inclusion and infrastructure that lifts everyone around it, and that is the vision of the light rail extension.”

Her words captured what many in the crowd were feeling – this wasn’t just about trains, it was about recognition, respect, and long-overdue investment in their community.

Valley Metro’s Vision Realized

Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller’s remarks tied together the technical achievement with the community impact:

“Today we are celebrating 5.5 new rail miles and the transformation of Valley Metro Rail into a multi-line operation, creating an important new connection to South Phoenix. We built this project with the community to achieve their vision, and we will continue to advance the community’s vision to connect to the West and East Valleys, and bring greater mobility and economic opportunity to more of metro Phoenix.”

Her emphasis on building “with the community” was evident throughout the project, from the 18 public art installations created predominantly by local artists to the Small Business Financial Assistance Program that awarded over 270 grants totaling more than $1.6 million to corridor businesses.

Beyond the Speeches: Community Celebration

While the speeches provided the official framework for understanding this achievement, the real story was in the community celebration surrounding them. The “Cruisin’ Central” procession brought over 250 community participants together, while the lowrider and classic car show, local entertainers, and more than 60 local business pop-ups created a festival atmosphere that truly reflected South Phoenix’s character.

Standing at that terminus, watching families explore the new station, seeing local business owners setting up their booths, and witnessing the pride on faces throughout the crowd, it was clear this project succeeded in its most important goal – bringing a community together and giving them a reason to celebrate.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The extension will add more than 8,000 daily riders to Valley Metro’s system, which currently serves 32,000 boardings per day. But beyond ridership, the project created over 5,000 local jobs, with more than 600 workers hired directly from South Phoenix communities. Eight new stations, enhanced bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, over 550 new trees, and comprehensive utility upgrades that replaced more than 30 miles of underground infrastructure represent a complete community transformation.

A Foundation for the Future

As the ribbon cutting ceremony concluded and the first official rides began, it was clear that Saturday’s celebration at Central and Baseline represented more than just project completion. With the A line now running east/west and the B line traveling north/south, creating a true network with 12-minute weekday service before 7 p.m., Phoenix has built the foundation for continued expansion and economic growth.

The speeches from our elected officials weren’t just ceremonial – they were promises. Promises that South Phoenix would no longer be overlooked, that investment would continue, and that this extension would be the first of many connections that bind our community together.

Standing at that terminus, surrounded by thousands of neighbors celebrating this long-awaited achievement, I couldn’t help but think about all the daily journeys that will begin and end at this very spot. Every commute to work, every trip to school, every visit to family – they all represent the fulfillment of a community’s dreams and the power of persistent advocacy.

The rails are laid, the stations are open, and South Phoenix is finally connected.—

Source: Valley Metro

Related Link:

https://www.valleymetro.org/news/2025/06/opening-of-south-central-extension-downtown-hub-celebrated-by-thousands

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge