Tempe Development Thread [Archive] - Page 31

NorthScottsdale

Mar 20, 2012, 6:27 PM

High rise building planned for Tempe Town Lake2 commentsby Dianna M. Náñez - Mar. 20, 2012 10:58 AM
The Republic | azcentral.com
.

Ryan Companies U.S. Inc. and Sunbelt Holdings announced today that they will build a new 10-story high rise office tower on the southern shore of Tempe Town Lake next to an existing office tower that houses major financial and tech businesses.

The new high rise will sit at the northeastern corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.

With office space virtually full at Hayden Ferry Lakeside, the lake property Parkway recently purchased, Tempe officials said Town Lake is a sought after site for high-profile businesses wanting a prominent setting for their facilities.

City leaders and developers hailed the high rise project as a signal that the recession is over and said more than 900 jobs are expected to be generated by the development.

"We did say in 2008 that we poised to be the first to recover and we're seeing that now with this," said Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman.

Hayden Ferry Lakeside's recent additions include Silicon Valley Bank, which will soon move into the high rise, and Xhibit, a digital media company relocating from Michigan. Microsoft, KPMG and Smith and Barney also have offices in the tower.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2012/03/20/20120320high-rise-building-planned-tempe-town-lake.html#ixzz1pgPCE4Np

HX_Guy

Mar 20, 2012, 8:01 PM

A not-as-optimistic view of the announcement...

Tempe to expand Hayden Ferry Lakeside -- eventually
Phoenix Business Journal by Jan Buchholz, Reporter
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 12:40pm MST

Today in the shadows of the Hayden Ferry Lakeside commercial development, Tempe officials articulated the city’s accomplishments since the recession nearly strangled the country’s economy. The verbal pats on the back were palpable as Mayor Hugh Hallman said he knew in March 2008 that Tempe would be the first city in the Valley to transcend the debilitating effects of the economic downturn.

“I knew it would turn around fast,” Hallman said at the press conference that mostly was designed to celebrate Ryan Cos. plans to build a third office tower at Hayden Ferry Lakeside.

The only thing that wasn’t mentioned was that the CBRE brokerage firm in Phoenix has to find a primary building tenant before any ground will be unearthed. So, nothing is imminent, given that it’s not so easy finding large tenants these days. Especially since some of the biggest local tenants already have moved into new spaces across the Valley.
“Our hope is to begin by the end of this year but it really depends on the tenants,” said Molly Carson, vice president of development for Ryan Cos.

When a tenant is located — however long that will take — Ryan will build the $100 million, 10-story office building with a nautical theme at the northeast corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. And that will be a good thing one might suppose — eventually.
Ryan hasn’t even purchased the land from Sunbelt Holdings , so a lot of details still must come together.

Why all the hoopla about something that might happen in the future?
Take a look back at my blog last week when Tempe announced to the world that it was actively looking for developers to enter the Tempe market.
“If you’ve got the right project, we’ve got the land,” said Kris Baxter-Ging, community development marketing specialist. “We need more developers to step up.”
This is a marketing ploy pure and simple.

In fact, Hallman today mentioned that he wanted to generate some national buzz.
I’d say that was a tad bit optimistic. However, you never know what the media might bite on or who might show up for what was largely a non-event.
After all, I was there. And I wrote about it.

http://emvis.net/~sean/ssp/projects/hayden_ferry_lakeside/hayden%20ferry%20ren%204.JPG

combusean

Mar 20, 2012, 8:50 PM

I have a slight feeling they're going to have a lot of difficulty finding tenants for this building. The other two towers (and I use that term lightly) have hard corners that fill out the floorplates. A purely elliptical, elongated building is not going to offer the functional space that businesses and anchor tenants are looking for. Maybe a bunch of small, boutique-type firms could go in there but as the Business Journal blog post stated that's not going to get it built.

Spitfiredude

Mar 20, 2012, 10:15 PM

What an extremely disappointing hyped up event. This building is very plain and boring compared to the current buildings at Hayden Ferry Lakeside. I agree, it won't be built. City of Tempe>smh...

Classical in Phoenix

Mar 21, 2012, 4:53 PM

azliam

Mar 21, 2012, 8:12 PM

Additionally, I heard from a friend that works in the US Airways building that if a merger goes through with Delta or American the corporate headquaters is gone. US Airways just signed an extension, but they only have to make notice to get a 90-day out. Meaning Tempe may have class A space on there hand sooner rather than later.

Delta merger?

I was aware of the thought of a US Airways/American merger, but not a US Airways/Delta merger. I thought Delta was looking at American, not US Airways.

Classical in Phoenix

Mar 21, 2012, 10:25 PM

To be honest, it hasn't been a situation I have followed closely. I have a friend that is involved in the real estate management of that building, and that's what he told me.

Classical in Phoenix

Mar 21, 2012, 10:28 PM

Did a quick google search and found this. It's almost two months old but talks about Delta.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/31/2972687/stakes-high-for-charlotte-in-us.html

combusean

Mar 21, 2012, 11:09 PM

US Airways is definitely trying to buy American. They were rebuked trying to buy Delta some time ago, who in turn is trying to buy American as well.

HooverDam

Mar 21, 2012, 11:29 PM

US Airways is definitely trying to buy American. They were rebuked trying to buy Delta some time ago, who in turn is trying to buy American as well.

I don't know anything about how the airline industry works, if US Airways is looking to be a buyer (of whomever) wouldn't that hopefully mean more jobs moving to Tempe? I guess the purchased company may have extensive infrastructure somewhere else and a move to that place would make sense.

I'd really hate to lose US Airways from Tempe, even though I've never/likely will never fly with them :P

combusean

Mar 22, 2012, 12:05 AM

Tempe_Duck

Mar 22, 2012, 5:49 AM

It depends on where the combined headquarters' company is. Each situation is different: Eg, Phelps Dodge was bought by Freeport McMoran, but they moved their headquarters from New Orleans to Phoenix.

America West bought the larger US Airways and adopted their name but kept the headquarters.

Most experts seem to think Tempe would lose the headquarters to Dallas if American and US Airways merged.

I honestly don't see any airline merging (willingly) with USAir. They haven't even completed the USAir/AWA merger yet. I think the other airlines are using them as leverage against the unions and other possible mergers.

Classical in Phoenix

Mar 22, 2012, 9:22 PM

US Airways is definitely trying to buy American. They were rebuked trying to buy Delta some time ago, who in turn is trying to buy American as well.

According to this 1/27/12 article from the Wall Street Journal, Delta is looking into acquiring US Airways.

http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2012/01/27/delta-studying-us-airways-as-possible-acquisition-target-sources/

Spitfiredude

Apr 2, 2012, 8:34 PM

MegaBass

Apr 2, 2012, 9:21 PM

Reports that sometime this month plans for the renovation of Sun Devil Stadium will be revealed. Hearing that it'll be in phases, reduced seat capacity, and shade covered throughout.

phxSUNSfan

Apr 3, 2012, 7:09 PM

It sounds like Hayden Ferry Lakeside III on Mill Ave is a go after all...at least that is the way it reads in today's paper:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2012/03/20/20120320high-rise-building-planned-tempe-town-lake.html

I have an issue with the columnist writing that the building is a high-rise! It's only 10 floors...a midrise.

combusean

Apr 3, 2012, 8:43 PM

^ That's not news ... it's an article as old as the announcement. The announcement said they're shopping for tenants before they can build it, and they're probably not going to have the best of fortunes finding them.

Tempe_Duck

Apr 3, 2012, 9:49 PM

Rumor has it that ASU is going to announce the new stadium plans tomorrow. Looks to be north of $300 million, 60k seats, fabric covering part of the roof. One report says it is like nothing you can imagine.

ciweiss

Apr 4, 2012, 2:58 AM

http://southwest.construction.com/yb/sw/article.aspx?story_id=170518700

Tempe Flour Mill Restoration Leads to Quandry Over New Paint
03/20/2012
The Tribune Text size: AA
By Garin Groff, East Valley Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

March 20--As Tempe is finishing a partial restoration of the historic Hayden Flour Mill, an architect is urging the city not to paint the iconic building despite prominent rust stains and peeling paint.

The city is sprucing up the abandoned mill with a plaza and historical markers -- and perhaps a fresh coat of white paint as well -- after years of complaints the site is an eyesore.

But two months before Tempe will complete work at the city-owned mill, architect Robert Graham told the city in a letter that plans for a fresh coat of paint would cover "ghost signs" that have been revealed as paint flakes off the concrete structure.

His advice? Leave it alone.

"To paint over these features would be like refinishing a treasured piece of antique furniture -- it may make it look 'like new,' but is that really the highest value?" he wrote. "Or do we value the patina of age, which cannot be recreated once lost?"

The faint ghost letters and advertising images document how the business changed over time and evoke the industrial age, he said. Other historic sites have successfully dealt with similar issues, Graham told Tempe.

Graham works for the Phoenix-based Motley Design Group and has 24 years of experience with historic projects. That includes the current restoration of the Tempe-owned Eisendrath House, an adobe structure built in 1930. Graham cited a previous report from an archaeological consultant who also advised against painting the mill.

The City Council will discuss the issue Thursday. The city has received painting bids ranging from $15,000 to $34,000. The city did not ask for bids to paint the silos behind the mill.

The fenced mill site is expected to open in May. A grassy plaza will host events, and visitors will be able to peer into first-floor windows to see milling equipment on display.

The mill opened in 1874, built by Tempe founder Charles Trumbull Hayden. Fire destroyed the first two wood mill buildings, and the existing reinforced concrete structure opened in 1918. The mill closed in 1998.

Tempe bought the site for $11.8 million in 2003, when a developer failed to meet a timeline for a project there. A $500 million redevelopment plan later emerged, only to go nowhere in the wake of the 2007-2009 recession. Both projects would have restored the mill and reuse it for offices and shops, with new buildings surrounding it.

Tempe wants to eventually sell the property to a developer that will fully restore the mill. The city estimates it will take several years before the real estate market improves enough for a developer to be interested in the site. In the interim, Tempe decided to launch a more modest project so the high-profile site is more than an abandoned landmark.

___

(c)2012 East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)

Visit East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.) at www.eastvalleytribune.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

I also walked by the new building at College & E. Veterans way and they are already up to the 2nd floor. It is going up quick.

ciweiss

Apr 4, 2012, 3:00 AM

nickw252

Apr 4, 2012, 3:36 AM

After taking a tour of West Sixth on Friday, I was told by the leaser that there will be a grocery store going in the bottom floor of the town homes (the bottom floor is for retail and restaurants). They have already started plumbing and electrical work for the building. He said it should be open within the next sixth months. He didn't go into detail or say whether it was a national/regional tenant or a small business.

What do they mean by "grocery store"? Is it going to be like the failed Oakville Grocery at CityScape where they only sold overpriced "gourmet" stuff and lunch sandwiches? What's really needed in urban settings are small footprint "real" grocery stores. Unfortunately I anticipate another "gourmet" grocer that has a larger selection of $25 bottles of wine than it does of toilet paper.

Urban areas need more grocery stores like this...

http://i40.tinypic.com/33wprg2.jpg

...and less gourmet grocery stores like this:

http://i43.tinypic.com/qqtsnt.jpg

MegaBass

Apr 4, 2012, 4:47 AM

Any idea as to what they're building east of the Biodesign Institute?

TempeSilverFox

Apr 4, 2012, 1:46 PM

[QUOTE=nickw252;5653343]What do they mean by "grocery store"? Is it going to be like the failed Oakville Grocery at CityScape where they only sold overpriced "gourmet" stuff and lunch sandwiches? What's really needed in urban settings are small footprint "real" grocery stores. Unfortunately I anticipate another "gourmet" grocer that has a larger selection of $25 bottles of wine than it does of toilet paper.

Urban areas need more grocery stores like this...

I totally agree. I work for Chase at University and Ash, and we recently had a visit from the Mill Ave Business District. They indicated that a Whole Foods will probably be going in across the street at Ash and University. Unfortunately though, it won't be part of another tower like it was originally going to be (Remember Mosaic?)
A Whole Foods would be better than an Oakville for sure, but I sure wish we could get a "normal" grocery store- or a Trader Joes! Even Whole Foods seems overpriced and out of touch with the area.

Spitfiredude

Apr 4, 2012, 5:23 PM

I totally agree. I hope its not overpriced either, but I have no idea. I just know that they are putting one in.

Tempe_Duck

Apr 4, 2012, 6:33 PM

Remodeled Sun Devil Stadium..

http://www.thesundevils.com/view.gal?id=117210

I thing it looks great

combusean

Apr 4, 2012, 6:48 PM

How will this remedy the stadium's sinking into the ground?

Don B.

Apr 4, 2012, 7:41 PM

^ I'm guessing if this is true, it is something they may need to address when they do the renovation. Not my concern - I will leave that up to the experts. As for the rendering, it looks cool.

--don

phxSUNSfan

Apr 4, 2012, 7:52 PM

How will this remedy the stadium's sinking into the ground?

The stadium isn't sinking into the ground, it is built on rock. The underground pylons, supporting some of the grandstands, are deteriorating because they weren't properly waterproofed in the 1989 renovation.

The firm responsible for the renovations didn't think a stadium in the desert would need to be extensively protected from water. Instead of having a 50 year lifespan, they will have to be replaced by 2019.

Perhaps that is why the north end will be opened up and the east/west grandstands will be raised hemicycles. Hope they don't shrink it down to 50,000 but instead have a capacity of 65,000 with the ability to increase that for big games.

MegaBass

Apr 7, 2012, 4:27 PM

Any idea as to what they're building east of the Biodesign Institute?

http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1zjibQWaP1qcev3ao1_1280.jpg

Apparently it's an art installation called Skyspace by James Turrell.

HooverDam

Apr 7, 2012, 7:52 PM

^Thatll be cool, Turrell skyspaces are neat. I highly recommend checking out the one at SMoCA. It would be cool if there was one in Downtown PHX somewhere, Civic Space park would've been a good spot.

alexico

Apr 8, 2012, 2:43 AM

Urban areas need more grocery stores like this...

I totally agree. I work for Chase at University and Ash, and we recently had a visit from the Mill Ave Business District. They indicated that a Whole Foods will probably be going in across the street at Ash and University. Unfortunately though, it won't be part of another tower like it was originally going to be (Remember Mosaic?)
A Whole Foods would be better than an Oakville for sure, but I sure wish we could get a "normal" grocery store- or a Trader Joes! Even Whole Foods seems overpriced and out of touch with the area.[/QUOTE]

interesting to hear that since there is a whole foods on baseline and also they have started to move the n scottsdale store to camelback/20th st.

I think a fresh and easy would be best for that demographic (plus they more have household items like a regular grocery store has)

TempeSilverFox

Apr 9, 2012, 1:29 PM

Urban areas need more grocery stores like this...

I totally agree. I work for Chase at University and Ash, and we recently had a visit from the Mill Ave Business District. They indicated that a Whole Foods will probably be going in across the street at Ash and University. Unfortunately though, it won't be part of another tower like it was originally going to be (Remember Mosaic?)
A Whole Foods would be better than an Oakville for sure, but I sure wish we could get a "normal" grocery store- or a Trader Joes! Even Whole Foods seems overpriced and out of touch with the area.

interesting to hear that since there is a whole foods on baseline and also they have started to move the n scottsdale store to camelback/20th st.

I think a fresh and easy would be best for that demographic (plus they more have household items like a regular grocery store has)[/QUOTE]

Oh definitely! Fresh and Easy or Trader Joe's would be perfect! Whole Foods is a lovely store, but I just don't see residents in the area being willing to shell out Whole Foods prices. But then again, I could be wrong...

dtnphx

Apr 9, 2012, 6:02 PM

interesting to hear that since there is a whole foods on baseline and also they have started to move the n scottsdale store to camelback/20th st.

They're moving the N Scottsdale store TO Camelback/20th St? Please explain...

Thirsty

Apr 11, 2012, 12:04 AM

I've been searching for information on the proposed (20-floor if I read correctly) tower at the SE corner of Rural & University. I think the public hearings are over with, does anyone have any drawings or other information on the proposed project?

combusean

Apr 11, 2012, 12:19 AM

^ We covered the University/Rural/8th St project a little while ago.

Few Development Review Commission mentions

Noticed yesterday and today some work being done on Eighth and Rural. First Part (http://www.tempe.gov/planning/agendas/DRC/SupportingDocuments/DRCr_8th&Rural_021412.pdf) and Second Part (http://www.tempe.gov/planning/agendas/DRC/SupportingDocuments/DRCr_8th&Rural_021412-2.pdf) of the review

323 Veterans Way/ Armory Site (http://www.tempe.gov/planning/agendas/DRC/SupportingDocuments/Pages%20from%20DRCr_ATTACH2_323VeteransWay_091311.pdf)

Appears that All Saints Newman Center is underway.

Still nothing with Residence Inn (former Urban Garden) and touch up on the old Mill.

ciweiss

Apr 14, 2012, 5:18 AM

http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/lightrail_future_ext_uploads/Tempe-Streetcar-Computer-Simulation_METRO.pdf

I found this link on the Valley metro site showing what the trolly could look like on Mill and Ash. What is cool is the conceptual photos of how things could look if the area were more dense. Pretty cool.

HX_Guy

Apr 14, 2012, 5:30 AM

That's a great PDF and the city looks SO much better in the "after" pictures...that is what Tempe should look like!

Butta

Apr 14, 2012, 5:33 AM

Tempe_Duck

Apr 14, 2012, 7:50 AM

It would be amazing if even half of the "after" happened.

MegaBass

Apr 15, 2012, 12:49 AM

More on Paisan's Italian Kitchen
Paisan's Pizza & Italian Kitchen, at 425 South Mill Avenue (5th Street and Mill and in the former home of Dunkin' Donuts), to test run a new favorite slice -- which Paisan's says are giant. Also on the menu: bottomless bowls of pasta, baked subs, wings, Italian hero sandwiches, and bruschetta. And with late-night hours of 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily, Paisan's seems to understand that a late-night slice after an evening of imbibing is worth keeping its doors open for. (New Times (http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2012/04/new_pizzeria_on_mill_avenue.php))

Notice there's a sign at the old Border's location for one of three temporary art exhibits

Handle(?)Bar & Grill public notice up near Centerpoint area

No more Del Taco over by Cornerstone Mall but has already found a tenant

Phxguy

Apr 16, 2012, 9:06 PM

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2012/04/12/20120412good-times-flower-hayden-flour-mill.html
More info on the Hayden Flour Mill.

plinko

Apr 17, 2012, 8:58 PM

Does anybody know how tall the Hayden Flour Mill is?

Butta

Apr 21, 2012, 7:14 AM

Does anybody know how tall the Hayden Flour Mill is?

According to this link http://www.tempe.gov/museum/tempe_history/properties/hps193.htm it is 140 ft at its tallest point.

TempeSilverFox

Apr 26, 2012, 5:40 AM

The City of Tempe's website was updated yesterday with this new Active Development Case: "Villas at South Bank." It's located in that area just north of Rio Salado Parkway- across from Karsten Golf Course! Here's what it says:
Request for VILLAS AT SOUTH BANK (PL120046) (City of Tempe, property owner; Michel Hebrant, MDT Development Partners LLC, applicant) consisting of 262 units within a 17-story senior living facility (including assisted living and memory care components) and a 2-story commercial building, totaling 367,896 sf. in building area on 2.23 net acres, located at 1122 East Vista Del Lago Drive in the MU-4 (PAD), Mixed-Use High Density District with a Planned Area Development Overlay and the Rio Salado Overlay District.

Here is the link:
http://www.tempe.gov/maps/StandardDetails.aspx?LocationID=bccae5fb-3dc4-48de-a694-ee74f339949d

phoenixheadphones

Apr 26, 2012, 8:04 PM

plinko

Apr 26, 2012, 10:51 PM

Somewhere in that link it gave the height as 211ft. So basically it's the size of the Landmark on Central. Good thing most seniors are hard-of-hearing. The airplane noise there is terrible.

MegaBass

May 4, 2012, 5:52 PM

Allstate signs one of Valley’s largest leases in Tempe building (http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/money/article_47fbf876-9561-11e1-92ca-0019bb2963f4.html)

The Allstate Insurance Company signed a lease for 66,000 square feet of space in a downtown Tempe office project, in what is one of the largest leases signed in the Valley this year. Allstate’s lease is in the Tempe Gateway building, an eight-story structure owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s Vulcan Real Estate.
Allstate plans to move into the Tempe location in September. The new lease brings Tempe Gateway’s occupancy up to 64 percent and reflects the improving office market in Tempe.
Tempe Gateway is a 260,000 square foot building that was new and vacant when Vulcan bought it in 2010. The building is the first purchase that Seattle-based Vulcan made outside of its home market.

ciweiss

May 4, 2012, 8:35 PM

More good Tempe news...

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2012/05/04/tempe-lands-residence-inn-to-open-in.html

A new hotel is slated for development in dowtown Tempe with an opening expected late next year or in early 2014.
Construction is expected to start soon on a 173-room hotel Residence Inn by Marriott hotel on Forest Avenue. The project will be located on the east side of Mill Avenue, adjacent to the Tempe City Hall parking garage at the southeast corner of Fifth Street and Forest.
The hotel is being developed by Miami-based Finvarb Group and managed by Marriott International.
“The Tempe market is poised for strong growth and we are confident that this is the best location in the market,” said Ronny Finvarb, principal of the Finvarb Group. “We believe we will be able to establish a market-leadership position given the outstanding quality of our location, brand and management team.”
The property will feature guest suites containing fully-equipped kitchens along and an outdoor rooftop pool and fire pit with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel will have about 3,500 square feet of meeting space and 5,700 square feet of ground-level retail space.

There are two photos of the building in the article. The 2nd one shows the rooftop pool which looks pretty cool.

HX_Guy

May 4, 2012, 8:50 PM

Hotel pool looks alright but the hotel itself is very bland, maybe it's the colors.

http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/tempe%20residence%202.jpg

http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/tempe%20residence.jpg

PHX31

May 4, 2012, 8:59 PM

I like the idea of a new 10-ish story tower in that location, but will always miss Bandersnatch.

AJphx

May 5, 2012, 5:43 PM

^ I remember that place being closed and rundown for a long time. Can't remember if I had ever gone there when it was open. Then they started that urban garden there.... Does anyone know what ever became of that? The lot is just empty and weeds now.

southeast corner of Fifth Street and Forest

Its actually on the southwest corner.

MegaBass

May 5, 2012, 5:48 PM

^ I remember that place being closed and rundown for a long time. Can't remember if I had ever gone there when it was open. Then they started that urban garden there.... Does anyone know what ever became of that? The lot is just empty and weeds now.

Its actually on the southwest corner.

There;s talk that the Urban Garden would move to Hayden Flour Mill but doesn't sound settled for now.

MegaBass

May 5, 2012, 6:32 PM

Also 323 East Veterans Way will be named The Hub.

Phxguy

May 6, 2012, 1:29 AM

MegaBass

May 6, 2012, 2:03 AM

Speaking of the Hayden Mill, walked past it earlier today. They're doing quite a bit work on it. From what I saw they were working on the first two floors, have about 7 trees in planters awaiting to be planted, a huge sign on corner of Rio Salado and Mill. There's also a stretch of grass; picnic/movie in the park?

ciweiss touched base on it earlier.

http://southwest.construction.com/yb/sw/article.aspx?story_id=170518700

Tempe Flour Mill Restoration Leads to Quandry Over New Paint
03/20/2012
The Tribune Text size: AA
By Garin Groff, East Valley Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

March 20--As Tempe is finishing a partial restoration of the historic Hayden Flour Mill, an architect is urging the city not to paint the iconic building despite prominent rust stains and peeling paint.

The city is sprucing up the abandoned mill with a plaza and historical markers -- and perhaps a fresh coat of white paint as well -- after years of complaints the site is an eyesore.

But two months before Tempe will complete work at the city-owned mill, architect Robert Graham told the city in a letter that plans for a fresh coat of paint would cover "ghost signs" that have been revealed as paint flakes off the concrete structure.

His advice? Leave it alone.

"To paint over these features would be like refinishing a treasured piece of antique furniture -- it may make it look 'like new,' but is that really the highest value?" he wrote. "Or do we value the patina of age, which cannot be recreated once lost?"

The faint ghost letters and advertising images document how the business changed over time and evoke the industrial age, he said. Other historic sites have successfully dealt with similar issues, Graham told Tempe.

Graham works for the Phoenix-based Motley Design Group and has 24 years of experience with historic projects. That includes the current restoration of the Tempe-owned Eisendrath House, an adobe structure built in 1930. Graham cited a previous report from an archaeological consultant who also advised against painting the mill.

The City Council will discuss the issue Thursday. The city has received painting bids ranging from $15,000 to $34,000. The city did not ask for bids to paint the silos behind the mill.

The fenced mill site is expected to open in May. A grassy plaza will host events, and visitors will be able to peer into first-floor windows to see milling equipment on display.

The mill opened in 1874, built by Tempe founder Charles Trumbull Hayden. Fire destroyed the first two wood mill buildings, and the existing reinforced concrete structure opened in 1918. The mill closed in 1998.

Tempe bought the site for $11.8 million in 2003, when a developer failed to meet a timeline for a project there. A $500 million redevelopment plan later emerged, only to go nowhere in the wake of the 2007-2009 recession. Both projects would have restored the mill and reuse it for offices and shops, with new buildings surrounding it.

Tempe wants to eventually sell the property to a developer that will fully restore the mill. The city estimates it will take several years before the real estate market improves enough for a developer to be interested in the site. In the interim, Tempe decided to launch a more modest project so the high-profile site is more than an abandoned landmark.

___

(c)2012 East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)

Visit East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.) at www.eastvalleytribune.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

I also walked by the new building at College & E. Veterans way and they are already up to the 2nd floor. It is going up quick.

nickw252

May 8, 2012, 2:52 PM

Construction will begin this month on an 11-story hotel in downtown Tempe, which has witnessed a flurry of development and new business openings in recent months.

The Miami-based Finvarb Group now has a building permit for a Residence Inn by Marriott and could begin work at any time, according to Tempe.

The hotel is a response to the high room occupancy rates in Tempe and a shortage of hotels downtown, said Nancy Hormann, executive director of the Downtown Tempe Community.

“I think there’s a huge demand for more hotel rooms, especially this type of hotel,” Hormann said. “It’s more for extended-stay. With all of our high-tech firms coming into town, it’s a wonderful place to stay for an extended period.”

The hotel is a long time in the making.

Finvarb started working on the project at least as far back as 2006. Plans got sidelined during the recession, and it was delayed again a year ago as the developer worked to secure financing. The DTC had used the future Residence Inn site for a community garden, but it gave up the space a year ago as it anticipated work was imminent.

“We’ve been saying for the longest time we planted a garden and grew a hotel,” Hormann said. “It just took a while to start.”

The 173-room hotel will be built on the southwest corner of Fifth Street and Forest Avenue, where the popular Bandersnatch Pub once stood. It will include some retail space and a rooftop pool.

The Residence Inn is one of several new projects announced recently. Just east of the site, a nearly 300-unit multistory apartment tower called The Hub is under construction. That’s another project that fell victim to the recession, but plans for luxury condos have morphed into housing aimed at Arizona State University students. Also, plans were announced this year for a 10-story office building at Hayden Ferry Lakeside in response to increasing demand for office space in Tempe.

Mill Avenue has added 48 new businesses since 2009, and the vacancy rate has fallen from about 32 percent to about 20 percent.

The Residence Inn reflects a growing level of interest among hotel developers in the downtown, Tempe spokeswoman Kris Baxter-Ging said. Downtown Tempe needs more hotel rooms than this one project will supply, Hormann said.

The area needs a property with a conference center because the one at the Tempe Mission Palms isn’t big enough to satisfy demand, Hormann said.

“It will be great to have these new hotels come in, but it would be especially great if we could have one with a conference center,” Hormann said.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/tempe/article_137896e4-98a0-11e1-9de2-001a4bcf887a.html

phoenixheadphones

May 8, 2012, 9:19 PM

The Tempe Improv is closing June 1

by Randy Cordova - May. 8, 2012 02:19 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

The Tempe Improv will close its doors Friday, June 1, the comedy club announced in an aggressively stated press release that placed much of the blame on competing comedy club Standup Live.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/articles/2012/05/08/20120508tempe-improv-closing-june-1.html#ixzz1uJeAziE4

This is really bad news and something I've been worried about since Stand-Up Live opened- The Improv was pretty well known nationally, and while it was kind of a funky place, losing something like this is always a drag.

nickkoto

May 9, 2012, 4:53 AM

It's unfortunate that the Improv is closing, but not really surprising. The quality of their acts really dropped off over the last few years, long before Stand Up Live ever opened. And really, in a metro the size of Phoenix, they can't blame their demise on having a single competitor. It seemed like their marketing efforts only involved changing the headliner's name on the marquee and incessantly spamming previous customers.

ciweiss

May 9, 2012, 6:12 PM

I went over to the West 6th building to inquire about the grocery store. They said the place was going to be a Milk & Honey ? and I guess they have them back east. He described a cafe and that it would sell local produce / meat / cheeses. It kinda sounds expensive but I'm still hoping not. I did some searching online but wasn't sure I found their correct website. I forgot to ask when it will open... DOH.

On a side note - Holy Cr@p those towers are pricey. A 2 bedroom w/o parking starts around $1800. I still want to tour the place though and check out that awesome view. I guess you have to go earlier in the day if you want to view a unit. I still find it funny that people commenting in AZCentral kept saying 'Nobody will rent those and tear those things down...' idiots...

PhxER

May 11, 2012, 3:30 AM

Hayden Flour Mill Progress
From City of Tempe's Facebook

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/543617_10150128929569981_40669934980_1538601_1161739223_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/556213_10150128929654981_40669934980_1538602_1362076113_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/541077_10150128929334981_40669934980_1538597_1435248353_n.jpg

More photos here (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150128929144981.61736.40669934980&type=1)

MegaBass

May 11, 2012, 9:29 PM

Per Mouth by Southwest
World of Beer, which is opening in downtown Tempe this summer in the 100-year-old Tempe National Bank building on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Sixth Street, across the latter from Canteen Modern Tequila Bar and Robbie Fox’s Public House.

read more (http://mouthbysouthwest.com/2012/05/09/first-look-world-of-beer/)

PHX31

May 11, 2012, 9:44 PM

/\cool. I'll go support that place simply because they are restoring some important parts of the building.

Tempe_Duck

May 11, 2012, 9:58 PM

That is great. I love craft beer and it sounds like they are restoring the building to is original glory, inside and out.

MegaBass

May 11, 2012, 11:10 PM

Also per MXSW (http://mouthbysouthwest.com/2012/05/11/loco-patron-coming-to-mill-avenue/)

Loco Patron Mexican Grill, which already has locations in Scottsdale and Ahwatukee, is adding another.

A third restaurant will open in the eight-story Tempe Gateway building on the northeast corner of Mill and Third Street in downtown Tempe.

The 5,000-square-foot space on the ground floor will be part sports bar, part patio bar.

Loco Patron won Best Pork Taco at last year’s Arizona Taco Festival. It’s also been honored for Best Margarita by Arizona Republic readers.

A fall opening is planned.

Noticed there were a few signs on Gateway too for I think a fitness center? Not completely sure.

AJphx

May 12, 2012, 9:55 PM

World of Beer, which is opening in downtown Tempe this summer in the 100-year-old Tempe National Bank building on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Sixth Street, across the latter from Canteen Modern Tequila Bar and Robbie Fox’s Public House.

oh my god, this is awesome

Spitfiredude

May 13, 2012, 5:27 AM

According to multiple sources, the 17 story South Bank senior living apartments is actually still trying to get developed and was not "pulled from the list". In fact, if you go back to look at the minutes and agenda for that city meeting, it is no longer crossed out. The project is projected to start construction by the end of the year according to multiple sources. Average living cost to be $4300 a month...who the hell will rent that???

http://brewaz.com/content/index_story_free.php?story_id=8287&volume_num=XVIII&issue_num=18&issue_date=May%2011,%202012

http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=812&recordid=295

*****Additionally, Wolff Company (who sold the site to the joint venture & owns much of the Southbank land) plans to start construction on a multifamily/multistory, condo/apartment complex on South Bank. According to their website construction will start Q2 2013. Wonder if the ASU baseball stadium/possible street car alignment is boosting development along Rio Salado..?*****

http://awolff.com/urban/south-bank/

:banana:

nickw252

May 13, 2012, 5:39 AM

http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=812&recordid=295

This is dated March 8, 2012. I think a recent hearing had it crossed off the agenda.

Average living cost to be $4300 a month...who the hell will rent that?

The BREW site says it is full service, including meals, and probably medical staff. Remember, this is senior housing not general apartments.

Spitfiredude

May 13, 2012, 5:50 AM

http://www.tempe.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=7476

I believe it says May 8...

TempeSilverFox

May 13, 2012, 2:00 PM

http://www.tempe.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=7476

I believe it says May 8...

Very cool. I wonder how long it will be before the rest of that property gets built up? Also- has anyone heard anything new about the vacant property just to the west of the Tempe Center for the Arts? I think at one point there were plans for an artist community or something like that...

MegaBass

May 15, 2012, 6:55 AM

https://p.twimg.com/As4zOI7CMAEh1gK.jpg

Per Urban Realty (https://twitter.com/#!/UrbanRealty/status/202155351276138498/photo/1) Block 12 aka ASU Bookstore at 6th & College broke ground.

Spitfiredude

May 16, 2012, 10:45 PM

They have broke ground on the new 11 story hotel. They have a couple tractors and trucks on site..took a picture, but I'm stuck without my iPhone connection cord.

nickw252

May 17, 2012, 2:08 AM

They have broke ground on the new 11 story hotel. They have a couple tractors and trucks on site..took a picture, but I'm stuck without my iPhone connection cord.

Whoa they got started fast.

email the pictures to yourself from your iphone.

Spitfiredude

May 17, 2012, 9:20 PM

This is about the entire site. Its actually very small. I would estimate maybe an acre in size (being generous). You can see the backhoe & excavator in the background digging for piping..I can't wait to see them put another crane up. That is three in DT Tempe area this year (WP Carey business school, The Hub, this hotel)
http://us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2_0_0_1_8887_ABVVimIAANssT7VslQI0zzUzdhE&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1

Jsmscaleros

May 18, 2012, 9:07 PM

Great to see urbanism spread off of just Mill Avenue... one street does not a downtown make :)

Can't wait to check it out when I come back to visit!

combusean

May 20, 2012, 9:24 AM

HX_Guy

May 22, 2012, 7:09 PM

The Hub looks freaking fantastic! Wish it was being built in Downtown Phoenix though. :(

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/525157_459960547363446_114451258581045_1721729_1432603925_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403385_459961874029980_114451258581045_1721730_531239636_n.jpg

mwadswor

May 23, 2012, 5:31 AM

KEVINphx

May 23, 2012, 7:27 PM

Jjs5056

May 23, 2012, 7:44 PM

The Hub is at the former site of the Lumina condos- 323 Veterans Way.

MegaBass

May 23, 2012, 9:36 PM

https://p.twimg.com/As4zOI7CMAEh1gK.jpg

Per Urban Realty (https://twitter.com/#!/UrbanRealty/status/202155351276138498/photo/1) Block 12 aka ASU Bookstore at 6th & College broke ground.

Correction the signs were for an archaeological dig. Villas at VDS is almost complete. ISTB IV is finished and I'm about to check it out tomorrow. A few classroom touch ups with the Social Science fourth floor (condemned for awhile), Life Sciences A/B/D building and Batemen Center. Touching up Cady Mall by College and University and landscape work around PV Main/ West/ East, San Pablo and Manzy. Interesting seeing Manzy interior gutted out. Read that PVs would be remodeled once Manzy is completed.

One site has The Hub listed done by February 2013.

Spitfiredude

May 24, 2012, 11:40 PM

Since all of you keep asking about these apartments here are the websites..
www.corecamp.us
www.thehuboncampus.com

Oh & opening date is August 2013 for apartments; however, for the retail/restaurant spaces...according to loopnet.com, it will be open or ready for move-in January 2013 (retail/restaurant)

ciweiss

May 31, 2012, 3:37 AM

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/20120525tempe-neighbors-oppose-plan-low-income-units

The Tempe City Council is expected to decide Thursday whether to allow an out-of-state developer to bypass height and density rules for a proposed low-income housing complex along the light-rail line.

More than 100 residents from neighborhoods flanking the land oppose Gorman & Co.'s request to build Gracie's Village, a four-story apartment that would replace the single-story Gracie's Thrift Store on Apache Boulevard west of McClintock Drive.

Grace Community Church owns the 2-acre site and is working with the Wisconsin-based developer to build the apartments. Several church members, who do not live near the proposed development, said they support the project because it would serve needy families.

But scores of residents near the proposed Gracie's Village want the developer to stick to the current zoning, which would allow a maximum of 40 units and a building no taller than 35 feet. Gorman is seeking a waiver for 50 units and a 54-foot building with areas that would reach 64 feet for an emergency staircase and elevators.

Nearby property owners have filed a legal protest against the proposal. The protest requires a supermajority 6-1 vote of the council for approval of the zoning amendments.

The proposed development is surrounded by several historic neighborhoods, including Borden Homes, which is nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

Residents have spent the past year fighting to protect their neighborhood and property values.

Gorman officials have argued that they have scaled back their proposal from an initial plan that called for a six-story building with 75 units. Residents have scoffed at that argument, saying that it is ridiculous for the developer to characterize the new proposal as a compromise when it still does not meet zoning standards.

The developer has argued that the complex is in line with the city's General Plan guidelines and is essential to providing affordable housing for residents who cannot pay typical rental rates in Tempe.

Gorman's Brian Swanton told residents at a recent community meeting that individuals and families earning 40 to 60 percent of the area median income -- about $18,000 to $50,000 per year -- may apply for a rental unit.

Existing older apartments and rental homes in the area, which is close to Arizona State University, already provide affordable rates, said Chuck Buss, a Tempe real-estate agent who lives in the University Heights neighborhood near the proposed apartments.

Buss said he does not oppose low-income or workforce housing. However, he said the council should not grant the developer a waiver to build a towering apartment that would harm existing homeowners.

Residents in the historic Borden Homes neighborhood are worried the project would lower their property values and damage the quaint character of their neighborhood.

"The reason we're digging our heels in on zoning is we didn't want them (Gorman) to get an exception and then set a precedent that every single project ... in the future along Apache would get extra height and extra density," Buss said.

Several areas along the light-rail line east and west of Gracie's Thrift Store are zoned for the density the developer seeks. But the pocket where Gracie's Village would sit was zoned in consideration with the proximity of mature residential communities.

Visits with council members

The fight over the past year has become so heated that residents have begun to question whether city leaders are too focused on appeasing developers.

Gail Martelli, who lives near the proposed complex, said she does not understand why the council would even consider granting an exception for a future project when hundreds of area residents oppose it.

"We're not really asking for that much. We're just asking for them (Gorman) to stay within the current zoning," Martelli said. "How does it help my neighborhood to lower the standards that we set as a community?"

Martelli is among the many residents who worried the added building height will give future residents of the apartment a bird's-eye view into their backyards. "We would lose all our privacy," she said.

Martelli thought it would help council members to visit her house to see firsthand the impact of the development on her place.

Martelli said she appreciated Councilmen Corey Woods and Joel Navarro visiting her and listening to her concerns. She said Councilwomen Onnie Shekerjian, Shana Ellis and Robin Arredondo-Savage declined her offer.

"They said they were nervous about meeting with me at my home on such an emotional issue," Martelli said.

To ease their concerns, Martelli said she offered to pay for an off-duty Tempe police officer to guard the council members during the visit, but the councilwomen would agree only to meet at a city building with staff present.

"I think they really needed to see the situation we're dealing with from our backyard," she said, adding that she accepted the meeting at the city site as it was better than nothing.

Tax-credit application

Residents have been concerned that council members may feel obligated to give the developer what it wants because more than a year ago the city offered financial backing for the project as well as written support to the state for the project.

A Tempe development director sent Gorman a letter stating Tempe would consider providing $300,000 toward the project if it meets standards and is approved by the council.

The developer also had applied for federal low-income housing tax credits, which are allocated by the Arizona Department of Housing. A low-income housing tax credit is a credit against the federal income-tax liability of the developer.

As part of the application for the tax credit, Tempe development officials supplied a form to the state saying that the city would allow 74 apartment units on the site.

"The city basically told the state, months before they even told us about the project, that the developer could ignore the (zoning) standards," Martelli said.

This month, Mayor Hugh Hallman told residents at a council meeting that the form to the state did not obligate the city to approve a waiver for the developer.

"I'd like to believe that's true," Martelli said.

If Gorman builds the project, it is eligible for up to an estimated $2.17 million in federal tax credits, which can be claimed annually for a 10-year period. The property must maintain low-income rent restrictions for at least 30 years.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/20120525tempe-neighbors-oppose-plan-low-income-units#ixzz1wPpqyqP7

HooverDam

May 31, 2012, 4:00 AM

This:

http://assets.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/SOUTHWEST.jpg?v=1

looks exactly like what we need to see along the Light Rail line. I have no sympathy for the single family home owners in the area. You live near the LRT line, its big city time, sorry. I live in a single family neighborhood and 300 ft+ buildings tower over my hood and it doesn't really effect my, or anyone's, lives. If you want to live in a single family neighborhood with nothing but low density everywhere, the PHX area has that in spades and spades, time to vote with your feet.

Butta

May 31, 2012, 5:02 AM

On my way to work, I drove by last Thursday morning and took a couple of crappy pictures with my phone through a dirty window (I need to wash my car).

The Hub
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7306361924_09f13093dc_h.jpg

Residence Inn by Marriott
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7306364098_9a833061d0_h.jpg

I will try to stop by and take some better shots when I get a chance.

TempeSilverFox

May 31, 2012, 1:30 PM

Argo at Town Lake
I just saw this today on the City of Tempe's Development page. Looks like two, potentially 4-6 story buildings are being planned at 601 W Rio Salado Parkway- near the Tempe Center for the Arts! Here is the info from the city's website:

ARGO at Town Lake

Address:
601 W Rio Salado Pkwy
Tempe, AZ

Category: Dev Review Commission

Meeting Date: June 12, 2012
Agenda
Description:
Request for ARGO AT TOWN LAKE (PL110131) (Jason Ottman, Evergreen Development Co., property owner; Brent Fike, Todd & Associates Inc., applicant) consisting of a new four story building over two floors of podium parking, with 604,105 s.f., on approximately 5.72 net acres, located at 601 W Rio Salado Parkway in the MU-4 Mixed Use District. The request includes the following:

GEP12003 - (Resolution No. 2012.60) General Plan Projected Land Use Map Amendment from Open Space to Mixed Use and Residential Projected Density Map Amendment from Medium-High Density (up to 25 du/ac) to High Density (greater than 25 du/ac) on approximately .5 acres of the 5.72 acre site.

ZON12003 – (Ordinance No. 2012.27) Zoning Map Amendment from GID, General Industrial District to MU-4, Mixed-Use, High Density District for approximately .5 acres of the 5.72 acre site.

PAD12003 – (Ordinance No. 2012.28) Planned Area Development Overlay Amendment to change existing entitlements for density from 99 du/ac to 63 du/ac, lot coverage from 53% to 75%, landscape area from 35% to 43.2%, building height from 189’ to 90’, side yard setback from 44’6” to 34’0”, and parking reduction from 631 to 559 parking spaces.

DPR12065 – Development Plan Review including site plan, building elevations, and landscape plan.

Here is the direct link: http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=812&recordid=332

RichTempe

Jun 3, 2012, 1:56 AM

Here are some pictures I took this afternoon of 'The Hub' (Veteran's Way & College) and the Residence Inn by Marriott.

The Hub:

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/341/imag0033st.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/9222/imag0034pi.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/9902/imag0035rr.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3511/imag0036mf.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/5584/imag0037ig.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1707/imag0038tt.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3006/imag0039ba.jpg

The Residence Inn by Marriott:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6424/imag0040br.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3161/imag0041wc.jpg

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/4135/imag0042vl.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6421/imag0043wl.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/562/imag0044id.jpg

ciweiss

Jun 5, 2012, 4:16 AM

Interesting news.

Bruckal Group buys Tempe lofts for $6.7 million
Phoenix Business Journal by Danielle Verbrigghe, Editorial Intern
Date: Monday, June 4, 2012, 2:10pm MST
Related: Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate
View photo gallery (2 photos)

The Farmer Lofts in Tempe were sold for nearly $6.7 million.

Danielle Verbrigghe
Editorial Intern- Phoenix Business Journal
Email
Bruckal Group. purchased the Farmer Lofts, an 18-condo property located in downtown Tempe, for $6.65 million. The property was previously owned by Avatar Development Group LLC.
Bruckal partnered with Synergy Properties Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, to make the acquisition. They obtained financing from 1st Bank of Arizona.
This is Bruckal Group’s fourth purchase in the Phoenix market in the past 18 months.
“This is where we are actively investing,” said Steven Bruckal, vice president of Bruckal Group.
Each of the 18 luxury condo units is rented. The 3-level units are about 2,500 square feet.
“We are going to hold them as rentals for the next three years and once the condo market returns we will sell off the condo units individually,” Bruckal said.
The complex, built in 2007, includes six work/live units, and is located on Farmer Avenue, a few blocks away from Mill Avenue.
“That location in Tempe is great,” Bruckal said. “The market for apartments has gotten much better over the past year.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2012/06/04/bruckal-group-buys-tempe-lofts-for.html

Spitfiredude

Jun 7, 2012, 5:58 AM

The District on Apache
The District on Apache seems to be under construction. It is the southeast plot of land located at Apache & Rural (part of Baer's Den). The project calls for a six-level parking garage, 2 5-level buildings, and 1 six level building according to one source. Also, it looks like a lot of more projects are getting in line to be approved/moved forward (according to COT council meeting).

Villas @ SB Approval?
The approval of the Villas at South Bank will be voted on the June 14th meeting. They expect construction on that project to begin soon after.

529 Tempe LLC Apartments update
Also, that development bordered by 8th street, Rural, and Terrace Road (529 Tempe LLC) is expected to get approval for relocation of SRP canal/confinement of 8th street. According to their original presentation, the project consists of two 20 story luxury apartment buildings (varying down to 10 stories depending on the market; built one-by-one in phases) with a multi-level building with 15,500 sq ft of retail. The canal realignment is expected to take place late-summer, early fall. The project itself will take off sometime in 2013. (according to Development review commission meetings) Since they are moving forward with the canal project, I expect this developer is serious and construction will start soon. However, I do expect the buildings to go from 20 stories to somewhere between 12-18 stories. My guess is that the residential (apartment) surge will calm after this project.

Predictions...post your opinion too
Personally, I predict office space is soon to see a surge in development here in Tempe. Especially at South Bank-now that the first South Bank project is less than 6 months from construction. I am assuming that the South Bank developer has chose to move forward because there are other projects in that area that are in the interests/planning stages that we do not know about. It is too much of an isolated project to assume a developer would take a shot like that without other surrounding parcels in planning.

Spitfiredude

Jun 7, 2012, 6:00 AM

Oh & nice pics, I went by the Marriott yesterday & saw that they have the base and first section of the tower crane in place. I would guess should probably be up by the end of this week or next week.

exit2lef

Jun 7, 2012, 3:48 PM

529 Tempe LLC Apartments update
Also, that development bordered by 8th street, Rural, and Terrace Road (529 Tempe LLC) is expected to get approval for relocation of SRP canal/confinement of 8th street. According to their original presentation, the project consists of two 20 story luxury apartment buildings (varying down to 10 stories depending on the market; built one-by-one in phases) with a multi-level building with 15,500 sq ft of retail. The canal realignment is expected to take place late-summer, early fall. The project itself will take off sometime in 2013. (according to Development review commission meetings) Since they are moving forward with the canal project, I expect this developer is serious and construction will start soon. However, I do expect the buildings to go from 20 stories to somewhere between 12-18 stories. My guess is that the residential (apartment) surge will calm after this project.

This is great news since that piece of land is now home to a deserted shopping center and vacant lots. Does the small canal go underground east of Rural? You can see it above ground on the west side of Rural between the light rail station and America's Taco Shop.

PHX31

Jun 7, 2012, 4:33 PM

This is great news since that piece of land is now home to a deserted shopping center and vacant lots. Does the small canal go underground east of Rural? You can see it above ground on the west side of Rural between the light rail station and America's Taco Shop.

It does. The open channel canal was reconstructed a bit during light rail utility construction and it goes under ground into 4-5' pipe sections north of University and east of Rural. I was on the inspection crew in this area.

Some relatively cool information: The Salt River has changed paths many many times over the millenia. About 7-10 feet below the ground in this area of Tempe (and many other areas of Tempe) there is a layer of river cobbles (those smooth semi-large round stones) about 1-2 feet thick. When they were trenching for the new SRP irrigation pipeline, they were constantly trenching through this stuff.

Some other relatively cool information: The area around Tempe Butte is littered with prehistoric Hohokam artifacts. When they were digging they were constantly bringing up thousands of pottery sherds (there were even pieces of pottery just scattered about on the surface of the dirt near the old frat row) and other artifacts. There are probably hundreds (more?) of burial sites in this area too. They found/trenched up (and I saw) at least a dozen skeletons around the area of Wells Fargo Arena, the old frat row area, and the area just east of Hayden Flour Mill during underground utility work for the light rail line. Next time you get off light rail at College, you're likely walking on top of old graves.

azsunsurfer

Jun 12, 2012, 1:41 PM

Im not sure what site they are referring to....but interesting proposal for a site off mill ave...would be the city's tallest at 40 stories http://continentalgrp.com/ http://continentalgrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sky-tower-view-C-3-20-12.jpg

plinko

Jun 12, 2012, 4:48 PM

^I don't know how much faith I would put in that. Did you read the website? Grammatical errors all over the place. And oddly, there's a picture of Marina City in Chicago, but that developer started in 1979? Looks like amateur hour.

nickw252

Jun 12, 2012, 5:16 PM

Looks like a class project to me. I've never heard of a developer describing their residences as "expensive." there's contact info at the bottom. Maybe someone should call.

dtnphx

Jun 12, 2012, 6:06 PM

It's so odd. It's like the website was made in the speaking tone of the Eastern Block. Plus, the head guy without any vowels in his name looks like a Borat character. Very weird.

Spitfiredude

Jun 13, 2012, 8:18 AM

All I found after googl(ing) it was this article
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/06/07/20120607scottsdale-stadium-lofts-stalls.html

The company seems like a joke. Doubt this is anything serious seeing how they didn't even attend the Scottsdale meeting.

azsunsurfer

Jun 13, 2012, 2:39 PM

There is a rendering of this project that has been posted before, but it appears that it is on track towards breaking ground soon. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2012/06/08/metro-commercial-planning-93-million.html

ciweiss

Jun 15, 2012, 3:17 AM

TempeSilverFox

Jun 15, 2012, 1:56 PM

I live in the DT Tempe area. I cruise down to Mill ave multiple times a week to conduct business or enjoy the restaurants and bars. Lately (last couple of years) it just seems like it is non-stop begging and non-stop sign my petition form. There were UN petitioners on every corner a few weeks ago.

I am getting tired of this and am beginning to think about where I will move to next. The street urchins are getting out of hand. I see their tactics because I am down there all the time. I am deaf but I wrote out this message to beg for money at $5 increments. I used to see a couple on my entire trip but now I am seeing a couple on every block of my trip. Even with headphones on they are shouting at you. If the City does not do something quick I am gone. I don't get hounded at other parts of the valley. This is getting ridiculous. I used to disagree with all the AZcentral articles in regards to Mill going down hill but now am starting to agree with them. Its to bad because it has so much potential. Here is to hoping the city will do something but I'm not holding my breath.

Rant over.:hell:

I live live near, and work ON Mill Ave and walk around downtown Tempe nearly every day, and I hear what you are saying about the "street urchins." There certainly do seem to be a lot of them, many of them appearing to be in their 20s. I've never understood how they can afford their numerous tattoos and body piercings- which then limit their employment options somewhat.
From my observations though, I don't perceive that there is any more begging/ petitioning going on now than there was seven years ago when I moved to the area. Mill has always had a lot of this type of activity.
I do agree however that it has always seemed much more aggressive on Mill Ave than in other parts of the valley. I've NEVER been panhandled in Old Town Scottsdale for example. It could just be that because Mill Ave is such a well known pedestrian-friendly area that caters to a diverse spectrum of the population that street urchins know their odds of success will be higher here- and I also think it is because nearly 100% of the energy and activity in downtown Tempe is focused on the stretch of Mill Ave between University and Rio Salado, so again, the odds for successful contact and interaction between people is SO much higher than in Old Town -where energy and activity is so much more spread out. (I'm thinking about an insightful comment someone on this blog made the other day about how "One street, a downtown does not make...)
I also agree that the City of Tempe really does need to get a bit tough on this issue if they really want to change people's perspectives on the area. Quite frankly- it really is very annoying to be asked five or six times for money as you walk from the Metro stop at 3rd - down towards University. But I don't know what methods the city can use? Can they post "No Loitering" signs and then curtail begging by enforcing them? To my knowledge, it is not illegal to be homeless or to beg- so I don't really know what other options the City has. Thoughts anyone?