Community Leaders to Know: Markus Coleman

After serving as Light Rail Administrator for 7 years, Markus Coleman recently took on an exciting new role within the City of Phoenix as the Assistant Street Transportation Director.

Your work has helped reshape how people move through Downtown Phoenix. How do you think transportation and streets can strengthen everyday community life?

In my view, transportation and streets are the connective tissue of our city; they are far more than just conduits for moving vehicles from point A to point B. When we design streets that prioritize people whether they are walking to a local business, cycling to a park, or boarding a light rail train we are creating the physical stage for community life to unfold.

Streets strengthen our daily lives when they foster "spontaneous interactions" in those brief but meaningful moments where neighbors cross paths, or a commuter discovers a new neighborhood storefront. By shifting our focus toward high-capacity transit and walkable corridors, we reduce the physical barriers that often isolate us. Ultimately, a well-integrated transportation system doesn't just move people; it grants them more time, better access to opportunity, and a sense of shared ownership in the vibrant, urban fabric of Downtown Phoenix.

As major transit and street investments expand, how do you ensure projects reflect the needs, voices, and histories of the communities they serve?

Ensuring that major transit and street investments reflect the communities they serve requires moving beyond simple "public outreach" and toward authentic community partnership. To truly honor the needs, voices, and histories of our neighborhoods, we must approach every project with a "listen first" philosophy.

We achieve this by meeting people where they are literally and figuratively. This means engaging with residents in their own community centers and small businesses, and providing materials in the languages they speak. We must recognize that every corridor has a unique historical identity; by integrating public art, historical markers, and culturally relevant design elements, we can ensure that new infrastructure feels like an extension of the neighborhood rather than an imposition upon it.

Ultimately, success is measured by the degree to which a community sees itself reflected in the final result. When we balance technical requirements with the lived experiences of those who have called these neighborhoods home for generations, we create a system that doesn't just provide transit but also preserves and strengthens the local legacy.

During Black History Month, how can infrastructure investments be a tool for honoring Black communities by supporting connection, access, and long-term opportunities in Downtown Phoenix?

During Black History Month, it is essential to reflect on how infrastructure has historically shaped, and at times, divided the Black community. In Downtown Phoenix, we view modern infrastructure investment not just as a construction goal, but as a deliberate tool for restorative justice and economic empowerment.

By prioritizing high-capacity transit and streetscape improvements in historically Black neighborhoods, we are actively removing physical barriers to opportunity that have existed for decades. These investments honor the community in three distinct ways:

• Connection: We are physically relinking neighborhoods to the heart of the city, ensuring that residents can access the cultural and civic centers that are part of their heritage.
• Access: Intentional transit design ensures that healthcare, quality education, and employment hubs are reachable for everyone, regardless of vehicle ownership, thereby narrowing the equity gap.
• Long-term Opportunity: Through Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), we are creating a framework for Black-owned businesses to thrive and for affordable housing to be preserved, ensuring that long-term residents can remain and prosper in the communities they built.

Ultimately, honoring Black history through infrastructure means building a future where the city’s growth is synonymous with the growth and stability of its Black residents.