Mayor Gallego, Phoenix City Council, Dignitaries Celebrate New ‘Greg Stanton Central Station’

PHOENIX—Today, Mayor Kate Gallego and the City Council, alongside Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), House Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), local mayors, and other dignitaries officially named the new downtown major transit hub the “Greg Stanton Central Station." 

In June, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the naming of the downtown Central Station transit center at Central Avenue and Van Buren Street in recognition of Stanton's years of public service and support of the improvement of public transportation in Phoenix. Stanton was elected Phoenix mayor in 2011 and served through May 2018. 

“In just a few months, Stanton Station will be the buzzing hub of the Valley's regional transit system—and it will bear the name of one the great transportation leaders in Arizona history.  Great mayors are willing to do the hard things: pushing forward even when there is risk, and confident in their ability to reach the right result and shape the future," Mayor Gallego said in her remarks. “Congressman Stanton was and still is that kind of leader—one who changes the community for the better and improves the lives of the people he serves. May this station that bears his name be a continuous reminder of his service to our City and the courage he showed to take our transit system to new heights."  

"Public transit, at its core, is really about people. It connects people of all walks of life. It's the great social equalizer—with good transit, everyone can take advantage of the limitless opportunities here in Arizona," Congressman Stanton said at the event. “I want to thank Mayor Gallego and the City Council for this tremendous honor—it means a great deal to my family and me."   

In 2015, while campaigning for a second term as mayor, Stanton also asked voters to increase and extend the dedicated funding source for the 35-year transportation package that funds street and transit improvements, triples the light rail system, expands late-night bus and Dial-a-Ride service citywide, adds bike lanes, repairs roadways, and more.  

Since being approved by city voters, the Transportation 2050 Plan has been instrumental in the growth of Phoenix's transit system, including improved bus and Dial-a-Ride service, the expansion of the City's light rail network to Metrocenter which opened in early 2024, and the upcoming extension to South Phoenix anticipated to open in 2025. 

Watch the full naming ceremony HERE .  ​