ASU students complete I‑40 connector study after 1,200‑response public survey; commission to review recommendations

City staff told the commission that Arizona State University master students completed a study of the I‑40 connector corridor. The project involved six ASU students who researched existing conditions, land use, multimodal access, trailheads, historic resources and gateway opportunities; staff assisted with data collection and community outreach.

According to staff, the project's public engagement included a presence at a downtown Comic Con and the student survey collected about 1,200 responses. The students presented a draft report to the city and a final deliverable to their ASU class on May 6; the city presentation to the council occurred on June 2. Staff said an executive summary and a recommendation table—organized into implementation phases over the next five to seven years—are available, and that some "low-hanging fruit" recommendations could be pursued quickly.

Commission discussion acknowledged the report's thoroughness and noted the corridor is already included in the city’s recently approved infill incentive program, a recommendation the students flagged. Commissioners asked for the report to be shared for review and for the study to be placed on a future meeting agenda so the commission can evaluate staff resource needs, costs and potential implementation sequencing.

Staff recommended the commission review the report, and a subsequent meeting could include more detailed cost and staffing estimates tied to the implementation phases.