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  #881  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2007, 8:23 AM
Azndragon837 Azndragon837 is offline
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Looks like my former employer is doing just fine in terms of development. Not being with Tempe after 2 weeks...I still miss everyone in the Planning Department. As a former Planning Intern with Tempe for 2.5 years, it was awesome to see all these projects come aboard. The BEST part about my former job was seeing all these little nifty infill projects come in...filling all the vacant parcels remaning in Tempe. Tempe gets all the attention with the big-name projects, but the REAL deal is with all the lovely multi-family infill development popping up in-between.

-Andrew
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  #882  
Old Posted Jun 13, 2007, 3:15 PM
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Post University Square Hold-out

Here is a little insight into the fray between the developers of University Square and the owner of Dave's Hot Dog House, one of the last remaining tenants of the Arches shopping center. The owner of Dave's, David Cheren, is a retired lawyer. He's evidently playing hardball. The people who have leases in the building are obviously due fair compensation for being asked to move but I've gotta think this guy smells a golden opportunity to extort some considerable extra cash. His claim of future losses due to the lost opportunity of franchising sounds just like something a lawyer would say. He claims his ailing back and old age would keep him from restablishing the business elsewhere. Why that would preclude him from franchising makes no sense to me. Just because the original owner is no longer in business, doesn't mean franchises are not viable. Flimsy argument counselor!

Dave’s Dog House stands its ground against development
David Woodfill, Tribune
The owner of Dave’s Dog House restaurant said he’s become a lone wolf by refusing to close his business at the old Tempe Arches shopping center where a multimillion dollar mixed-use development is planned.

David Cheren has operated the East Coast-style hot dog eatery at 130 E. University Drive in Tempe for five years. He said his age and an ailing back prevent him from starting over at another location and that the project’s developers haven’t offered him fair compensation.

“It’s kind of like a poker game and who’s going to blink first,” he said.

Cheren said that while other businesses at the Arches on University Drive between Myrtle and Forest avenues have either relocated or negotiated deals with developers, he’s staying put with six years remaining on his lease.

Officials from University Square Investors LLC, a partnership between 3W Companies, Shea Commercial, Triyar Companies, did not return phone calls.

University Square is a planned 1.5-million-squarefoot, mixed use development to include offices, condos, retail businesses and a hotel.

The Arches, a fixture of student life near Arizona State University for 42 years, have been partially razed.

The buildings, recognizable for their slightly outdated facade of arched windows and faux-adobe slump block, has served as a revolving door for chain businesses and locally owned restaurants and shops since its construction in 1964.

Many of its businesses throughout the years have consisted of restaurants, coffeehouses and copy shops, all geared to ASU’s student population.

Cheren, a 69-year-old retired lawyer, said he has serious back problems and can’t start over from scratch at a new location and new clientele. He said he’ll be losing potentially lucrative franchising opportunities if he closes now.

Cheren, who would not say how much money he’s seeking from the company, said the company has tried forcing him out with no compensation by alleging he was in violation of his lease.

Chris Anaradian, Tempe’s development services manager, said he’s not concerned that the disagreement will stall construction.

“Nobody over here is panicking,” he said
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  #883  
Old Posted Jun 13, 2007, 5:31 PM
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Damn I love Dave's dogs! Best dogs in town, bar none! But, I'd really like to see some 300 footers on that block. Hmmm, I'm torn...
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  #884  
Old Posted Jun 13, 2007, 6:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimInCal View Post
Here is a little insight into the fray between the developers of University Square and the owner of Dave's Hot Dog House, one of the last remaining tenants of the Arches shopping center. The owner of Dave's, David Cheren, is a retired lawyer. He's evidently playing hardball. The people who have leases in the building are obviously due fair compensation for being asked to move but I've gotta think this guy smells a golden opportunity to extort some considerable extra cash. His claim of future losses due to the lost opportunity of franchising sounds just like something a lawyer would say. He claims his ailing back and old age would keep him from restablishing the business elsewhere. Why that would preclude him from franchising makes no sense to me. Just because the original owner is no longer in business, doesn't mean franchises are not viable. Flimsy argument counselor!
Jim, you're wrong on this one, this guy presents a valid argument. Where is he going to relocate for the same lease and the same foot traffic? Does he have the money to relocate? How is he going to earn a living while he's moving?

Most of these developers will find any method to remove tenants, dirty or otherwise, and often the city is in cahoots with them.

You might remember this article, posted to the thread back in April, regarding the methods Avenue Communities is using to force out business owners who have done nothing wrong.

In violation of his lease? That is the oldest trick in the book, and often the first trick a desperate landlord will pull when he isn't interested in negotiating in good faith. Talk about flimsy arguments...
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  #885  
Old Posted Jun 13, 2007, 6:36 PM
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^ Whatever it is, Shea Commercial can afford it.
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  #886  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 1:20 AM
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Vertex, obviously we don't know all the details on either side of the squabble. My point was that Dave's reasoning regarding closing down at this location precluded him from fulfilling franchising opportunities made little sense (flimsy). Since he is so feable and cannot physically start anew himself, it would appear as though franchising, if truly viable for Dave's Dog House, would be a good alternative for him....let someone else do the heavy lifting of establishing new locations.

When all is said and done I hope they come to an amicable agreement and this doesn't get dragged though a court.
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  #887  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 2:31 AM
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Originally Posted by combusean View Post
^ Whatever it is, Shea Commercial can afford it.
While I don’t know all the inside details about Dave’s, I do know that Saxa (formally Shea Commercial) pulled a fast one on DFD CornoyerHedrick, the original architects for this project. DFD was contracted to take this project through to the end, but they got axed for a NYC firm after they finished the design of it. One then has to wonder if Saxa is trying to do something similar to Dave now...
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  #888  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 2:11 PM
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Dave is pissed because he signed a long term lease, probably dropped over 100K to remodel the place (not including stoves, coolers and restaurant equipment), and he stands to lose all the foot traffic and lunch crowds generated by ASU.

Last edited by sundevilgrad; Jun 14, 2007 at 6:45 PM.
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  #889  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 5:35 PM
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Does anyone any update on what is UC, approved and propposed for Tempe.

Any maps or renders?

thanks
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  #890  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 6:00 PM
jvbahn jvbahn is offline
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Being a 69-year old, I would have long ago retired and not wasted time thinking about "Franchising Opportunities." I mean, how long can he enjoy those opportunities to come to fruition. He might see one other store open up before checking out for the great big hot dog stand in the sky. Sounds like he's holding out for a golden retirement to me. If he were in his 30's-50's, I would buy his argument, but come on, no 69-year-old is gonna hash food around. Who's gonna believe that he's still gonna be selling hot dogs until 75?

They should make it easy and pay him what he would be making for the 2 years while the building is under construction, plus perhaps the franchising rights, and have him open up Dave's Hot Dogs in the new development.
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  #891  
Old Posted Jun 14, 2007, 6:28 PM
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^ Ding ding...we have rational thought.

Phoenix22,

http://www.tempe.gov/apacheblvd covers Apache Boulevard LRT corridor projects
http://www.tempe.gov/comdev/ covers the rest of downtown activities
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  #892  
Old Posted Jun 15, 2007, 5:50 AM
Azndragon837 Azndragon837 is offline
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I support Dave and his restaurant. Ever since University Square came in for the planning entitlement process (when I was with Tempe), I disapproved the entire development. Why? Several reasons:

1) Kicking out mom-and-pop shops that might not be able to move back into the new development because of higher rents.
2) Tearing down my favorite eats right across the street from my former school
3) A massive superblock
4) Traffic issues. Big time traffic issues.
5) I support more human-scale development that breaks up the superblock.
6) Good luck building the towers (with the condo housing market).

I hope Dave gets what he wants. Developers are constantly bending the rules in the city, which is why I never really liked most of them anyways when I was with Tempe. Also, ALL those LED scrolling displays: NOT ALLOWED. They can think TWICE about adding any LED lights or heavy neon on University Square. Tempe's sign ordinance bans those.

Other than that, good luck to Dave and University Square...let's see what happens!

-Andrew
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  #893  
Old Posted Jun 15, 2007, 5:57 AM
Vicelord John Vicelord John is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jvbahn View Post
They should make it easy and pay him what he would be making for the 2 years while the building is under construction, plus perhaps the franchising rights, and have him open up Dave's Hot Dogs in the new development.
exactly, by the time they get this building done he may be dead, giving them a free deal. Always a good idea to promise a deal to someone who is going hit the eternal hay soon.

that was the businessman in me coming out there for a moment.
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  #894  
Old Posted Jun 15, 2007, 3:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by combusean View Post
^ Ding ding...we have rational thought.

Phoenix22,

http://www.tempe.gov/apacheblvd covers Apache Boulevard LRT corridor projects
http://www.tempe.gov/comdev/ covers the rest of downtown activities

Thanks
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  #895  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2007, 12:52 AM
Archdevil Archdevil is offline
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Quote:
Also, ALL those LED scrolling displays: NOT ALLOWED. They can think TWICE about adding any LED lights or heavy neon on University Square. Tempe's sign ordinance bans those.
If Tempe has an ordinance against LED lights how did Tempe Market Place pull of the electronic billboards along the 202 and I have also read that the last building in the HFL development will have some kind of electronic billboard, new years eve drop thingy. Does it have to do with the location of University Square? I think Centerpoint even shows some LED stuff in their renderings. Any more info?
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  #896  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2007, 12:54 AM
NorthScottsdale NorthScottsdale is offline
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i think they dropped the sign ordinance earlier this year actually. i remember reading an article about it..
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  #897  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2007, 3:43 AM
Azndragon837 Azndragon837 is offline
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Originally Posted by Archdevil View Post
If Tempe has an ordinance against LED lights how did Tempe Market Place pull of the electronic billboards along the 202 and I have also read that the last building in the HFL development will have some kind of electronic billboard, new years eve drop thingy. Does it have to do with the location of University Square? I think Centerpoint even shows some LED stuff in their renderings. Any more info?
One phrase: Money talks. Tempe Marketplace's LED billboards are not allowed per thier sign ordinance, but in the development agreement, they were allowed. Basically, they (Vestar) builds a multi-million dollar mall, and in return, Tempe gives them some lovely LED billboards.

For Centerpoint, the renderings might show the billboards, but I don't think they will be actually built (I don't know the answer to that question).

As for the HFL Phase III, they might get away with the ball drop as a "special event" permit, and allow it on New Year's Eve only....my guess.

-Andrew
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  #898  
Old Posted Jun 17, 2007, 4:20 PM
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I am blown away by all that's going on in Tempe! I am in Phoenix this weekend (I don't have time for a meet, though, not that I'd expect anyone to be able to on such short notice), and I couldn't believe the view I got of Tempe on approach to Sky Harbor yesterday. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera out, but I was shocked to see Centerpoint! I knew about it, but I didn't realize how big it was until I saw it. It was like, "ah, there's ASU... Oh my god, there's a skyscraper!" It really looks quite huge compared to its surroundings. Tempe is really looking like the second city (as opposed to a suburb) it wants to be.
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  #899  
Old Posted Jun 19, 2007, 3:45 AM
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Tempe Marketplace: I love it, I hate it. I'm glad that corner is being developed and cleaned up, and I'm glad this major development is going to pump some money into Tempe. But I'm disappointed with the design. Driving down McClintock or Rio Salado, and the center just feels like its turning its back on the street- not very inviting, and it doesn't look very ped accessible (not that it is close to walk to anything). Hopefully someday you can walk from Pier 202 along the lake, under McClintock, and into the center.

But that's the way Vestar operates. They pick a site, negotiate hard for incentives, then slap up a power center.

But I'm weak, I'll still shop there (road runner sports - sweet)!
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  #900  
Old Posted Jun 23, 2007, 5:08 PM
Don B. Don B. is offline
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Rendering of the Pier at Town Lake (formerly known as Pier 202) from the Arizona Business Journal:





--don
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