Tempe Development Thread - Page 36

Turkpbr · #**701** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 7:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertex

Ask yourself this question; would Big-10 fans really travel to watch a 2nd-tier bowl game played in the state with a Big-10 school?

It depends. Do you want to watch watch the Meineke Car Bowl? Or the Motor City Bowl? Or the New Mexico Bowl? Or the MPS Computer Bowl?

Who in the hell in Detroit wants to watch Central Mich. defeat Middle Tennesssee? Apparently 54,133 people... watch a second tier school.

Maybe they had nothing better to do, or maybe they just like to watch football for the price of the ticket? Or it could be, that Cent. Mich is a slightly bigger school than you thought.

Turkpbr · #**702** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 7:44 AM**

[QUOTE=vertex;2758639]Good points, but I wouldn't over-analyze this. The main reason remains this; Big Ten fans want a reason to travel to a warm-weather site in a very different part of the country, and a bowl game is just the excuse they need. /QUOTE]

While I agree, it's still my opinion we value our athletic department as a whole in a general better light.

Turkpbr · #**703** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 7:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertex

Good points, but I wouldn't over-analyze this. The main reason remains this; Big Ten fans want a reason to travel to a warm-weather site in a very different part of the country, and a bowl game is just the excuse they need.

Meanwhile Pac-10 fans can't use weather for an excuse to travel. And with regard to the Insight Bowl, when it was courting Pac-10 schools, a lot of those fans might have already traveled to Phoenix during the regular season for a road game.

Ask yourself this question; would Big-10 fans really travel to watch a 2nd-tier bowl game played in the state with a Big-10 school?

In a fact, I can't gaurantee those fans were of BigTen eleven nature, nor could I say they were of the Big 10 eleven, but they were still there (54,000), In Detroit of all places.

I just want to re-iderate, I'm not saying you all have no interest in your school, but rather it's stronger in the midwest.

SimPhoenix · #**704** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 1:16 PM**

ASU may get 20-story dorm
Katie Nelson
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 11, 2007 12:00 AM

Arizona State University's oldest and largest campus ministry is undergoing expansion.

But like many plans in downtown Tempe these days, the ones to build a structure for the All Saints Catholic Newman Center are ever growing.

The construction costs have jumped. And now the height of the building could grow, too, by about 18 stories.

Construction delays have tacked on about $1.6 million in costs for the planned $5.7 million two-story social hall and chapel, according to Mary Macuga, the center's director of development.

And now, according to the city, the center is considering expanding construction to include a 20-story dormitory.

If that happens, it would be the tallest residential building on Arizona State University's Tempe campus.

"At first I kind of gasped at the height and the fact that they were going to try and cram all of that on the lot," said Councilwoman Barb Carter.

"But more dorms would be good. I don't think there can be enough. Too many students feel detached. Getting them living on campus would create a whole different kind of atmosphere."

Macuga confirmed that the church is exploring additional building space thanks to third-party interest. But she declined to comment further.

"Right now we're just excited about what we have on our plate now," she said

combusean · #**705** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 1:48 PM**

^ Holy crap! That one seems to have come out of nowhere. A totally unexpected fill-in to the coming University Drive streetwall.

desertdj · #**706** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 10:52 PM**

I'm always waiting at that bus stop right in front of there, I always thought something taller would go in eventually with that prime space but I have a feeling that half this story is mostly hype, im sure something taller than 2 stories will go in though.

desertdj · #**707** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 10:57 PM**

And for the latest reply ever, yeah ASU student here. Although anyone can check it online at their website. Yeah I would like to run my own small business some day and if it were me in that position, you would hear a lot more about it than some article in the State Press. You wouldn't happen to be in a HIS 391 class would you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by vertex

Desertdj, you must be an ASU student. I saw the article this morning, while reading a tossed-off state press i found when waiting for my coffee. I was about to post the story myself.

I think it's awful what Avenue Communities is doing to these businesses.

vertex · #**708** Posted **Apr 11, 2007, 11:14 PM**

Not a student, just live in the neighborhood.

NorthScottsdale · #**709** Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 1:15 AM**

good news about the ASU dorm. i hope it is 20 stories!

side note: why are we discussing football on here? I, like many others, i assume, come on here to read about development. why dont we try keeping it that way?

HooverDam · #**710** Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 5:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthScottsdale

good news about the ASU dorm. i hope it is 20 stories!

side note: why are we discussing football on here? I, like many others, i assume, come on here to read about development. why dont we try keeping it that way?

Because football and bowl games have to do with Tempe development, particularly in regards to hotels. Furthermore, its fun. No need to stick strictly to one subject, if you don't like one thing or another, move past it, thats why Jesus invented the scroll wheel.

NorthScottsdale · #**711** Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 8:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Because football and bowl games have to do with Tempe development, particularly in regards to hotels. Furthermore, its fun. No need to stick strictly to one subject, if you don't like one thing or another, move past it, thats why Jesus invented the scroll wheel.

seems like this would be more fitting on the west valley development thread now.. since thats where the sporting arenas are going

i dont see football as the main tourist attraction to tempe. i see festivals, music, ASU, the college scene as why most people i talk to go to tempe. yeah a couple times a year theres a big game goin on there. and why not stick to one topic? this is skyscraperpage isnt it? i go on azcentral or other sites to check up on sports.

HooverDam · #**712** Posted **Apr 12, 2007, 8:59 AM**

^Outside of last year ASU outdraws the Cardinals in football, but I've got your point

sundevilgrad · #**713** Posted **Apr 13, 2007, 1:08 AM**

The talk is actually linked. We were discussing the merits of the Insight Bowl, which replaced the Fiesta Bowl, which, one could argue, put Tempe on the map.

KEVINphx · #**714** Posted **Apr 13, 2007, 7:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Because football and bowl games have to do with Tempe development, particularly in regards to hotels. Furthermore, its fun. No need to stick strictly to one subject, if you don't like one thing or another, move past it, thats why Jesus invented the scroll wheel.

actually, its why jesus invented the skybar!

jvbahn · #**715** Posted **Apr 13, 2007, 8:58 AM**

Just an aside among asides, "InsightBowl" doesn't make me want to chill out with chips and salsa the way that "Fiesta Bowl" does. Totally un-southwest, I think.

Viva la "University of Phoenix Stadium"! I think everyone in the Valley should start calling it the "U-nix" Stadium. Very fitting for our lovely Cardinals.

andrewkfromaz · #**716** Posted **Apr 14, 2007, 3:30 AM**

So with the University Towers project and now the Newman Center project, how long do you think before Tempe sees the light and decides to narrow University to one lane each way?
It's that way now, and let me tell you, it makes getting around (on foot) a lot easier.
I also think Rio Salado will be a lot more pedestrian-friendly once Lot 59 is gone, at least the northern part. I know tons of people are going to whine about it, but that's progress.

Azndragon837 · #**717** Posted **Apr 14, 2007, 7:29 AM**

^Andrew, I don't think Tempe should narrow University to one lane each way. It's already a traffic nightmare and will create a severe bottleneck at the intersection of University and Mill. Sure, it's friendly to pedestrians right now, but you have to consider reality and at least maintain traffic flow for those who do drive. Also, University bypasses three major cities, and it's a major arterial. Apache and Broadway are already bursting with traffic, so I do not know if those streets can handle increased volume with University reduced down to two lanes.

I think the best solution is to reduce the speed limit to 30 mph from Rural to Mill, and continue to enhance the streetscape by planting shade trees and installing bus pull-out bays, while increasing sidewalk width. You can definately balance cars with pedestrians if done right.

Also, Rio Salado Parkway will be an awesome drive in the coming decade, with ASU developing Lot 59 North, SunCor finishing up on their Hayden Ferry Lakeside development, Pier 202, and Tempe Marketplace. I tell you, Tempe is growing fast and up...it's stunning to see such a small city (in comparison to other Valley cities) growing and maturing so quickly.

-Andrew

andrewkfromaz · #**718** Posted **Apr 16, 2007, 5:26 AM**

^^Sigh, I guess. I can dream, can't I? What about Light Rail? Reality is so boring sometimes.

Downtown_resident · #**719** Posted **Apr 16, 2007, 7:24 PM**

I picked up a few Tempe items after hearing Steve Betts, SunCor's president, speak at a conference last week:

* The third Hayden Ferry Lakeside tower is in permitting, and construction is supposed to begin this summer. SunCor's moving ahead so quickly because the second HFL tower is already 75% leased. The third tower will have the "Times Square" media effect that has been discussed in the Business Journal-- it sounds as though there'll be space on the portion of the building facing Mill Avenue for what will be about a 10-story electronic advertisement that can also function as a New Year's Eve "ball-drop" point.

* Le Meridien Hotel is to start construction in May.

* ASU has hired SunCor to develop ASU's property that faces the lake and sits on the south side of Town Lake between HFL and Rural Road (I think this is Lot 59 that was referred to a couple posts up). The development is to be known as "Marina Heights," and will be primarily office and retail, with heights somewhat exceeding the HFL structures (so I'm guessing in the 12-15 story range).

While HFL is not perfect, it is one more reason why Tempe continues to set the standard in the Phoenix area for urban development. (Who needs the crappy Cardinals anyway?)

http://downtownphoenix.blogspot.com

andrewkfromaz · #**720** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 5:08 AM**

Hang on. Driving along Rio Salado from Mill towards Rural, it goes (correct me if I'm wrong, b/c I'm confused) Hayden's Ferry Lakeside, Pier 202, Marina Heights (ok, stupid name alert) and then Rural Rd. Is this correct?
Downtown_Resident, did Betts offer any kind of a timeline for the Lot 59 project phases? I've seen some fairly old plans for the site, and it looked at the time like they were planning on adding a lot of dirt to raise the land above the flood plain. Dirt haul? Sounds like more traffic troubles...