Coalition Calls Out City of Phoenix and Valley Metro for Ignoring the Devastation of South Phoenix Business Owners

Overnight, the grassroots coalition Stand Up for South Phoenix erected a roadside memorial to honor the countless small businesses that have shut down due to prolonged light rail construction.

The roadside memorial also includes 50 white crosses, each 4 feet tall, representing small businesses lost due to the South-Central Extension light rail project. It is located at 4846 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, between Broadway and Roeser Rd., in front of La Gran Bota, a longtime local store closing its doors after 16 years. The memorial’s backdrop includes the store’s “Closing Sale” signs, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing economic devastation in South Phoenix.

A Community Left in Ruins While Valley Metro Celebrates

This powerful display comes on the heels of Valley Metro’s March 8 celebration commemorating the first train reaching the end-of-line at Baseline Road. While City of Phoenix and Valley Metro engage in festivities, small businesses in South Phoenix continue to struggle or shut their doors entirely.

“What is there to celebrate?” asked Andrew Richwine, Vice Chair of the Valley Metro Construction Advisory Board (CAB) South and member of Stand Up for South Phoenix. “Many small businesses are gone, business owners are financially ruined, and we still have no real plan to restore what was lost. The City of Phoenix and Valley Metro want to pat themselves on the back and call it a success, while ignoring the devastation left behind.”

The South-Central Extension light rail project began in 2019 and was originally set to be completed in 2023. However, repeated delays pushed the completion to 2025, leaving South Phoenix in a state of economic disaster. Many businesses along South Central Avenue have seen revenue losses of up to 90%, while others have closed permanently.

“This roadside memorial is a reminder of the lives impacted by this project,” Richwine added. “Valley Metro and the City of Phoenix cannot erase our struggles with parties and photo ops. We will not allow them to rewrite the narrative.”

Justice for South Phoenix: Title VI Civil Rights Violations & Systemic Neglect

Adding to the controversy, Blanca Abarca, a Valley Metro CAB South member and the only Spanish speaker on the CAB, has repeatedly raised concerns over Valley Metro’s failure to provide adequate language access for Spanish-speaking business owners and residents. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, which includes ensuring meaningful access to federally funded programs for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals.

South Phoenix is a majority Hispanic and Latino community, with 50-65% of residents speaking Spanish. Yet, Valley Metro has failed to provide critical project updates and assistance in Spanish, leaving many business owners unaware of the Small Business Assistance Program meant to help them. This failure, Abarca says, has contributed to the mass closures of small businesses in South Phoenix.

“Spanish-speaking business owners tell me all the time they don’t know what’s going on, they don’t have updates, and they don’t know how to get help,” Abarca said. “This is unacceptable. Valley Metro’s lack of proper community outreach has left many in the dark while their businesses were crushed.”

Additional community complaints include:

·      Dismissive or inappropriate treatment from Valley Metro representatives.

·      Refusal to provide business assistance based on the type of business.

·      Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns, violating Title VI protections against intimidation.

Stand Up for South Phoenix Calls for Immediate Action

On January 29, 2025, Stand Up for South Phoenix formally requested that Mayor Kate Gallego launch an independent investigation into Valley Metro’s handling of the light rail project and its business assistance programs. The coalition demands:

·      Public hearings to address the full extent of business closures and economic harm.

·      Post-construction financial relief for business owners impacted by ongoing construction delays.

·      Stronger protections for Spanish-speaking residents and business owners under Title VI compliance laws.

“South Phoenix is not disposable,” said Abarca. “We demand justice for the businesses lost, the families impacted, and the community that Valley Metro has ignored.”

Community Support Needed

Stand Up for South Phoenix invites community members to visit the memorial, pay their respects, and share photos on social media using #StandUpForSouthPhoenix to to push City of Phoenix and Valley Metro for real accountability.