Channel 10 Rewind: 1984 - Sky Harbor taxi confusion | Video Vault | FOX 10 Phoenix

After deregulation, taxi fares at Sky Harbor Airport are a confusing mess, with passengers complaining about high prices. Cab drivers blame competition from other companies and a lack of control, while airport officials suggest returning to a bid system where the lowest bidder gets the contract. Both sides agree that passengers need to confirm the fare before getting into a cab to avoid being overcharged.

MCI is raising long-distance rates for its Arizona customers, with a 1% increase for daytime calls and a 5% increase for nights and weekends. This is a result of equal access regulations, which will give MCI the same trunk-side connections as AT&T, although it will also increase their cost of doing business. Despite the hike, MCI customers will still pay 20% to 30% less than AT&T customers, and the new regulations will also eliminate the need to dial extra numbers for long-distance calls.

In Mesa, a conflict is brewing between city officials and residents over the proposed Fiesta Tower, a 14-story high-rise. While the City Council and developers believe the project will bring economic growth and jobs to the area, nearby residents are concerned that the tower will encroach on their privacy. A petition is circulating for a citywide vote on the project, with developers confident that the public will prioritize economic benefits over the neighbors' concerns.

A dispute is underway over the future of Block 21 on Adams Street. One developer wants to build a new complex called "Square One" that would demolish the block and displace current tenants. Another developer, Walter Switzer Jr., who owns much of the block, proposes a less expensive plan called "First Place" that would renovate the existing buildings and allow current businesses to remain. Many tenants support Switzer's plan because they cannot afford the high-end retail rent of the competing proposal.

Arizona State University has opened a new six-story Business Building, symbolizing the growth and rising reputation of its College of Business Administration. The new facility will allow the college to consolidate services and offer more resources, including new audio-visual aids and larger lecture halls. This building is seen as an investment by the state, with the expectation that its graduates will contribute to local businesses.

Vehicle emissions are a major cause of air pollution in Phoenix, and while modern cars have improved, many owners are tampering with pollution control equipment to save money. This practice, which includes using regular gas in cars designed for unleaded, actually leads to engine damage and increased pollution. In response, the head of the state's testing program wants to implement stricter emission standards, higher repair costs for failing vehicles, and tougher waiver rules to combat the rising pollution levels.

Cellular mobile phones work using a network of cellular towers scattered throughout the valley. These towers, called cell sites, transmit and receive signals from mobile phones, covering over 3,000 square miles. The system's "heart" is the mobile telephone switching center, where computers track calls and seamlessly hand them off from one tower to another without interrupting a conversation.

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