Stacy and Witbeck chosen as CMAR for new Phoenix station

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor

The Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors has announced Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., as the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) for Arizona’s new 50th Street light-rail station.

The project is supported by Transportation 2050, a voter-approved 35-year plan to expand Phoenix’s transportation services. Building the 50th Street station will be the first capital element of the initiative to be completed.

Construction of the new $23 million station is meant to provide access to other future transit developments planned in the community. Workers are expected to break ground at the site of the new station in early 2017, and the stop is scheduled to open in 2019.

Stacy and Witbeck constructed 10 of the original 20 miles of light rail that opened in 2008 and the 3.1-mile Northwest Phoenix Extension that opened in early 2016 with project partner and full-service general contractor Sundt Construction.

Gannett Fleming, Inc. is developing the station’s design concepts alongside Dig Studio, a landscape architecture and urban design firm. Dig Studio won top honors at Mayor Stanton’s 2015 PHX Innovation Games series. Barbara Grygutis, known for transforming pedestrian and transportation environments, has been chosen as the station’s artist.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton emphasized the importance of the planned developments to area residents who will benefit from improved access to the local Ability 260 facility, which offers programs to help people with disabilities. Mayor Stanton also stressed that the new station will be designed to improve transportation accessibility for residents who use wheelchairs, canes and other assistance devices.

“Without the support of Phoenix voters passing Phoenix Transportation 2050, we would not have been able to move forward with the design and construction of this very much needed station at 50th Street,” Mayor Stanton said.

Phil Pangrazio, president and CEO of Ability360, said the community is “extremely excited” about the new light rail stop.

“The thousands of people with disabilities that come to the center each year will soon have convenient and easy access via the light rail system. We are thrilled about the positive impact this is going to make,” Pangrazio said.

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