Tempe Development Thread - Page 29

JimInCal · #**561** Posted **Mar 3, 2007, 4:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertdj

Welcome to the forum desertdj & thanks for the first rendering we've seen of the possible reuse of the old flour mill buildings.

It's something to see a rendering of an architect's vision of something that is so dilapidated. The rendering shows the building that borders Mill Ave. I happened to have taken a photo of the side with the faded Family Kitchen All Purpose Flour sign. I thought it would be interesting to do a before and after here. I believe they are considering incorporation of the silo structure in a future building phase.

plinko · #**562** Posted **Mar 3, 2007, 5:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertdj

What's with the unfortunate little 1-story section along Mill (or is that the south side)? I had to look closely to see that it wasn't mansarded. It just looks a little too small scale to be attached to the front of that concrete hulk. It would be nice to see something a little more integral, and likely more modern than another bland gray/brown block building.

Great news about the other side of the street. An 8 story building at the streetfront. Nice density addition.

JimInCal · #**563** Posted **Mar 3, 2007, 8:22 PM**

Plinko, I agree...the first pass on a design is hopefully not the final product. The one-story section along Mill looks like a 60's strip mall.

On to another subject: ONYX - Here is a screen shot that shows the one rendering we've already seen, but also contains a second one. It gives a better idea of the tower design and surrounding development plan. Yawn-producing if you ask me.

Here is a larger,cleaner rendering of the Seventh/Mill proposal than we had previously. Andrew broke the news on this one on 2-9 (just found his post). I really like this project. The large cantilevered balcony and curved profile are nice design elements.
Here is a link to Andrew's post with the story.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2621677&postcount=512

DevdogAZ · #**564** Posted **Mar 3, 2007, 8:51 PM**

I can't believe Onyx is going to fit on that site. It seems so small.

And that Seventh and Mill project looks really cool. Hopefully that will someday see the light of day.

PHX31 · #**565** Posted **Mar 3, 2007, 9:16 PM**

Damn, Tempe is really growing up, literally. I really think that many, if not all, of these projects will come to fruition, and quite soon.

innov8 · #**566** Posted **Mar 4, 2007, 4:42 AM**

No kidding PHX31. I have always loved the city and can't wait to visit again.

That Seventh & Mill project is just incredible

oliveurban · #**567** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 1:58 PM**

Yea, wouldn't be a fan of that unusually drab, single-level section fronting Mill Ave.

sundevilgrad · #**568** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 2:18 PM**

Quote:

Now if they bind the entire area continuously with ASU, that'll really create some urban synergy not seen at all in PHX metro.

The University Square and 7th/Mill projects will definitely link Mill with ASU.

Andrew, any word on Block 12? The city map says that its currently in the design and development phase and has renderings of what look like two ~10-15 story condo projects, but I haven't really heard much about that block.

PHX31 · #**569** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 5:42 PM**

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/issues/2007/03/05/news/700130

New pedestrian bridges to be built across Town Lake
by Matt Pagel
published on Monday, March 5, 2007

Christopher Atwood / THE STATE PRESS
DUSK: The city of Tempe is currently building a bridge on the north side of Tempe Town Lake, located on the piers above the dam. It will connect the paths on the north and south shores.

It's no cinematic walk along the beach, but a leisurely stroll over Tempe Town Lake will soon be possible.

The Tempe City Council awarded T.Y. Lin International the service contract to build a new pedestrian bridge over Tempe Town Lake Thursday.

The bridge will be located on the west end of the lake, on top of the existing piers of the downstream dam. It will connect the existing paths on the north shore with those of the south shore and the Mill Avenue District, according to the Tempe Town Lake Web site.

"We're seeking a pedestrian bridge that combines a unique aesthetic and architecture feel," said Rio Salado Project Manager Nancy Ryan. "It will serve as a functional icon for Tempe Town Lake."

The bridge will be at least 16 feet across, enabling multiple bikers, runners, walkers or sightseers to pass each other simultaneously, according to Tempe city documents.

Although T.Y. Lin International and the city of Tempe have yet to begin the design process on the bridge, Ryan said the bridge would be very unique.

The bridge, which will cost about $6 million, will offer observation and rest points, security gates at both ends and a lighting system enabling the bridge to be used at all hours of the night, according to Tempe city documents.

The bridge will bring a new level of convenience for pedestrians, said Tempe Public Works Deputy Manager Andy Goh, who is also an engineer with the city.

"It will be a multi-use path," Goh said. "Instead of people going all the way around the lake, they will now be able to go straight over."

This pedestrian bridge is only one part of the improvements planned for Tempe Town Lake.

"Part of our long-term goal is to create a complete loop around Tempe Town Lake," Ryan said. "So eventually, look for a pedestrian crossing on the east side of the lake as well."

Ryan estimated that the design phase will last about nine months. City officials hope to begin construction on the bridge in early 2008, he said.

After construction begins, the bridge could be completed in as quickly as one year, said city engineer Mark Weber.

Choosing a contractor for such a large project was difficult said Weber, but in the end, Tempe officials believed that T.Y. Lin International, which has earned multiple awards for its bridge design, was the "highest-qualified firm."

The new bridge is one of many improvements the city of Tempe is making in order to transform the city into a more pedestrian-friendly destination.

SethAZ · #**570** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 6:19 PM**

Work has begun at the corner of 5th and Mill. From this forum, I thought it was going to be a drugstore but someone over there told me it's not. Do we know any thing about what's going there? Also, the crane at Centerpoint grew pretty tall on Sunday.

sundevilgrad · #**571** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 8:43 PM**

The pharmacy/drug store is a CVS that's going on the SW corner of Mill and University. 5th and Mill has the vacant 2-3 story building on the NE corner. I remember hearing that the owner wanted to get additional height permitted so that he could build a condo project of some kind (85 ft is what he wanted I think). However, I haven't heard anything about it in a while.

What kind of work are they doing?

vertex · #**572** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 10:17 PM**

As I remember it, the owner wanted to put an Ice Cream parlor in there. Kind of ironic, since that was the location of the original Coldstone Creamery (until it moved across the street).

The additional construction next door is for Restaurant Mexico, which is supposed to re-open in 2 weeks.

desertdj · #**573** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 10:24 PM**

Hey nobody has really talked much lately about this on here. Check out this update from Tempe's website, http://www.tempe.gov/comdev/WeeklyUpdate/26JAN07.pdf

It looks like these guys: http://www.otak.com/what/project.cfm?id=519
won the bid? I think the really long strip of street level retail will be a great opportunity for some of these small businesses getting squeezed out of their original locations. I think this is also a great start for affordable housing as well.

Here are some renderings I took off of Otak's website.

Looks like they increased the height to 7 stories and this one shows the update.

Azndragon837 · #**574** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 10:25 PM**

All,

For Tempe's Block 12, I haven't seen anything yet about that site, although it is slated to eventually become something mixed-use, according to this map: http://www.tempe.gov/business/Development_Report/ProjectsMap.htm. No plans have been submitted to the city yet.

For the 5th & Mill building (NE corner), it is slated to become a 2 story retail/office building (with retail on the first floor, wrapped around office space, while the entire 2nd floor are office suites). The corner of the building that is facing the intersection will be a clock tower, with some sort of pitched roof and spire on top. No condos are proposed. Yes, Restaurant Mexico is going in the building adjacent to 5th & Mill. The restaurant will occupy the little green building that was once home to a law office.

-Andrew

SethAZ · #**575** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 10:48 PM**

Quote:

sundevilgrad The pharmacy/drug store is a CVS that's going on the SW corner of Mill and University. 5th and Mill has the vacant 2-3 story building on the NE corner. I remember hearing that the owner wanted to get additional height permitted so that he could build a condo project of some kind (85 ft is what he wanted I think). However, I haven't heard anything about it in a while.

What kind of work are they doing?

There was a fence around the building, the plywood from the windows was gone and i couldn't really tell what was going on inside, but something was.

Thumperdog · #**576** Posted **Mar 5, 2007, 11:45 PM**

Campus Edge having a launch party March 16, 4-8 on their site at Apache and Rural - I received this link in an email today for invite, open to the public. Cool gritty architecture.

(I just discovered this thread - it's awesome.)

http://jarsonjarson.cmail1.com/email/153543/

vertex · #**577** Posted **Mar 6, 2007, 4:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertdj

Hey nobody has really talked much lately about this on here. Check out this update from Tempe's website, http://www.tempe.gov/comdev/WeeklyUpdate/26JAN07.pdf

It looks like these guys: http://www.otak.com/what/project.cfm?id=519
won the bid? I think the really long strip of street level retail will be a great opportunity for some of these small businesses getting squeezed out of their original locations. I think this is also a great start for affordable housing as well.

Looks like they increased the height to 7 stories and this one shows the update.

[/CENTER]

I can't believe the city is to allow this development to rise to 7 stories? I'll shit myself if this is true, that was never part of the vision the city had for this site. It's supposed to be capped at 4 floors near University, and 3 floors north of 7th st. That doesn't serve as much of a transition between the 'new' downtown boundary and the rest of the neighborhood.

But then again, the city has lied before. Look at Mosaic...

JI5 · #**578** Posted **Mar 6, 2007, 9:17 AM**

The lasers on on over Tempe Marketplace tonight! They are a VERY bright green and move around, over the freeway and over downtown. I almost drove off the 202 looking at the damn things. They are VERY COOL!

sundevilgrad · #**579** Posted **Mar 6, 2007, 1:52 PM**

Quote:

Campus Edge having a launch party March 16, 4-8 on their site at Apache and Rural - I received this link in an email today for invite, open to the public. Cool gritty architecture.

I like the rendering. I think it'll mesh well with the new dormatories that ASU has on the opposite of the street.

Sekkle · #**580** Posted **Mar 6, 2007, 2:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertex

I can't believe the city is to allow this development to rise to 7 stories? I'll shit myself if this is true, that was never part of the vision the city had for this site. It's supposed to be capped at 4 floors near University, and 3 floors north of 7th st. That doesn't serve as much of a transition between the 'new' downtown boundary and the rest of the neighborhood.

But then again, the city has lied before. Look at Mosaic...

Yes, 7 stories is what was reported a few weeks ago. See Combusean's post here... http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2573892&postcount=435
I think it will be a pretty good transition if they allow a little height. I don't think a 7-story wall would look very nice, but if there is some variation, I don't think a maximum of 7 stories is too high. With Centerpoint at 22 and 30 stories right across Ash, and Mosaic at Ash & University, 7 stories could provide a nice "step" down into the neighborhood.