Building a more connected and resilient Tempe

Abobe Stock

Tell Us What You Think

What are your thoughts on Tempe Proposition 424, a half-cent sales-tax increase that goes to voters Nov. 3? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Opinion

Tempe hasn’t earned public’s trust for Prop. 424

Government

Tempe proposes property tax increase

City Council

Tempe council votes to continue tax discussion, adds proposal to expand preschool

Opinion

Enough is enough: Vote no on Tempe Prop. 424

Opinion

Prop. 424 critical to Tempe transportation infrastructure

Opinion

Reader wants more information on Tempe tax plan

OPINION — The decisions we make today shape the way Tempe grows tomorrow. Good stewardship means making thoughtful choices about how we use our resources to strengthen our community today while preparing it for the challenges ahead. Proposition 424 is an opportunity to put that principle into practice.

A resilient city begins with infrastructure that supports both quality of life and economic vitality. Few public investments produce greater returns than transit. A 2026 study commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association found that every $1 spent on public transportation generates $5 in long-term economic value. Prop. 424 would reinforce Tempe’s transportation network through resources for transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including multi-use pathways and streetcar expansion.

Transit is more than a way to move people from one place to another. It is a building block of sustainable development. Reliable alternatives to driving connect residents to jobs, education, childcare and other daily needs while supporting development patterns that make a city more efficient and accessible.

In Tempe, transportation improvements can also advance climate resilience. Expanded shade can make walking and waiting for transit more comfortable while reducing exposure to extreme heat. Green stormwater infrastructure can improve our streets and public spaces while making neighborhoods cooler. Together, these strategies create a more connected and resilient Tempe.

A sustainable community must also create opportunities for its people. Prop. 424 would support early childhood education while preserving the safe, welcoming neighborhoods, parks and public spaces that define Tempe.

Good stewardship is not simply about meeting today’s needs. It is about creating conditions for our community to prosper for generations to come. Prop. 424 gives Tempe the opportunity to strengthen the infrastructure and services that will help us do that.

I encourage Tempe voters to vote yes on Proposition 424.

Shawn Swisher, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is an architect and chair of Tempe’s Sustainability & Resilience Commission. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.