This week, Phoenix Community Alliance (PCA) members gathered for the Quarterly Member Meeting and Downtown Development Tour, hosted at 850 Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC). The event kicked off with a networking session, giving members a chance to connect before diving into an afternoon of exploration and insight.

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Attendees were divided into two groups for guided tours of the 850 PBC building, where they experienced firsthand the latest developments shaping the bioscience landscape. The program also included a presentation from Valley Metro’s, Hillary Foose, Chief of Marketing & Communications, on Valley Metro’s newest light rail extension and a forward-looking discussion with Claudia Whitehead from the City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department, highlighting what’s ahead for the PBC.

^{Photo By: Zee Peralta}

Valley Metro’s expanded light rail now includes eight new stations and features artwork from 18 local artists, weaving creativity into public transit. The project has had a substantial economic impact, generating over 5,000 local jobs—600 of which were filled by residents of South Phoenix Communities.

^{Photo By: Zee Peralta}

Claudia’s updates included an overview of  the Phoenix Bioscience Core which has become a hub of innovation, attracting over $6.7 billion in capital investment. Since its groundbreaking in 2019 and official opening in March 2021,the PBC has had a $3.1 billion economic impact on the region with the 30-acre PBC campus hosting more than 29 companies, the state’s three public universities, ASU, NAU, and UofA, community colleges, and research centers, along with 20 institutes of research excellence.

^{Photo By: Zee Peralta}

Meeting Highlights:

• Valley Metro’s newest addition to the light rail – 8 new stations 
• Featuring art from 18 artists throughout the light rail
• Created more than 5,000 new local jobs, and 600 workers were hired directly from South Phoenix communities
• PBC’s new capital investment is $6.7+ B, started in 2019 – officially opened in March 2021
• $3.1 B economic impact on the community 
• 30 acres of land with 29+ companies, universities/colleges, research centers, and 20 institutes of research excellence

By: Madisson Simental | June 12, 2025