Tempe Development Thread

[Spitfiredude]

Originally Posted by PHX31

There are rarely any day games anyway.

The main purpose of having the cover is to do day games in September/October. TV exposure for ASU.

[PHX31]

Originally Posted by Spitfiredude

The main purpose of having the cover is to do day games in September/October. TV exposure for ASU.

I don't think that's how it works... even in the late fall this year ASU was having night games when the weather would have been perfect for a day game. It's deeper than "put up some shade and WE (ASU) can have day games as we wish". It's now all about the conference, and the Pac-12 and TV rights. That's who tells ASU when to have their games. Potentially ASU could set a game time at noon, but our network partners wouldn't pick up the game for TV; ASU wouldn't want to play a game without being on TV, and therefore it's not more exposure.

I once read an article explaining why ASU (and the Pac-12 in general) had so many night games when it seems detrimental to the conference (because the East coast goes to bed when the games are still on, etc.). I'll see if I can find it.

[azsunsurfer]

http://www.costar.com/News/Article/Tempe-Land-Sells-for-$74M/156000?ref=100&iid=370&cid=8A88580C8F5F1AA529EE6C844F843C53

Looks like that 4 story apartment development designed by Davis approved by the City some time ago is now a go. The developer just closed escrow on the site and will probably pull permits soon. This is that site that sits just east of Chompies and south of the Karston Golf Course.

[Jjs5056]

What do you guys think of this latest trend of "faux" urban developments to hit the Valley? Started with the Broadstone properties and looks to be continuing with the Hanover, apartments on Highland/Central and these. They're apartments that are as secluded from their surrounding neighborhood as any gated community is; except, these throw in words like "urban" because they have no setbacks, and "dense" because they're 1-2 stories higher. But, reality is this new trend of development is a plague because nobody sees how dangerous it is toward the acitivation of our streets.

Complex after complex filled with its own amenities and deemed mixed use because of its street-facing leasing office. But, there's nothing less suburban about these apartments. Their garages are taller than their apartments. Residents are hardly encouraged to leave their complex (Why when everything is right there inside?) and if they do, they'll leave via SUV since the street front entrances are small and gated off.

Projects like these won't ever lead to true communities. Sorry to be the eternal Deborah D.

[azsunsurfer]

Sigh....anyway...Does anyone know if the Archstone on the NW corner of Scottsdale and Curry has gone vertical yet? I know about a month ago they were busy doing site work/ infrastructure improvements.

[DevilsRider]

I was by there last week; they had some wood frames going up but I wasn't paying too much attention....

[MegaBass]

Originally Posted by PHX31

I don't think that's how it works... even in the late fall this year ASU was having night games when the weather would have been perfect for a day game. It's deeper than "put up some shade and WE (ASU) can have day games as we wish". It's now all about the conference, and the Pac-12 and TV rights. That's who tells ASU when to have their games. Potentially ASU could set a game time at noon, but our network partners wouldn't pick up the game for TV; ASU wouldn't want to play a game without being on TV, and therefore it's not more exposure.

I once read an article explaining why ASU (and the Pac-12 in general) had so many night games when it seems detrimental to the conference (because the East coast goes to bed when the games are still on, etc.). I'll see if I can find it.

ASU News on 2012 canopy proposal

The renderings are not finalized, but the tentative plan would create a shade canopy over the stadium that will allow the passage of natural light and the passage of air into the stadium while also allowing the Sun Devils to play day games earlier in the year to accommodate Pac-12 Network obligations.

“I like the idea of having something to cover the field because that opens up opportunities to be nationally televised in early September or late August because now it’s tolerable. If we’re going to go big-time, than we have do the big-time things so we are available to take our shot on national television when it comes and we can’t be held back because of weather. Everybody is so impressionable, and people even to this day, because we play most of our stuff at night, they’re not even sure where Arizona is, let alone Arizona State. Every time you can be exposed, whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent, you’re going to make an impression on somebody, so playing in front of a national audience is hugely important.” -Ron Pritchard, former Sun Devil letterwinner

College Football’s Most Dominant Player? It’s ESPN

The extent of ESPN’s influence over college football is literally displayed on the face of your ticket to next week’s game. Tickets to most games are printed with the date and the opponent’s name, but something is missing: the kickoff time. That is because ESPN, under its contracts with conferences, has the right to set kickoff times and wait until 12 days before game day, or in some cases only six, to inform universities.

Every Monday morning during the season, ESPN’s football brain trust meets in a war room in Building 12 on the network’s sprawling campus in Bristol, Conn., to consider options for coming games and make sure the hottest teams get the choicest time slots on each of its channels. After decisions are made, calls go out across the country, setting off a scramble on dozens of campuses as universities arrange everything from parking to security to team transportation.

Last season, ESPN channels televised about 450 college games. ESPN’s closest competitor, Fox, showed 50 on various networks.

College game times set at TV's pleasure

It's all about priorities for the Pac-12 these days, and that means cash over family. For those eager to plot their kids' weekend activities well ahead of time during the school year, this is one lousy deal. The "TBA" starting times won't be known until 12 days before the game in question - sometimes even later than that - so the conference and networks can establish television schedules as they see fit.

[poconoboy61]

Looks like the Oliver McMillian Lofts at Hayden Ferry is set for June groundbreaking. Sorry if this is old news...

Oliver McMillan Lofts at Hayden Ferry Break Ground in June (http://azbex.com/oliver-mcmillan-lofts-at-hayden-ferry-break-ground-in-june/)

The 500KSF, 264-unit Lofts at Hayden Ferry will come out of the ground this June on nearly four acres between 2MSF Marina Heights and the Hayden Ferry Lakeside office/residential complex on Tempe Town Lake.

The Class A market-rate apartments will be in four story wood-framed buildings with two levels of below-grade parking.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by poconoboy61

Looks like the Oliver McMillian Lofts at Hayden Ferry is set for June groundbreaking. Sorry if this is old news...

Thanks for the update. This was posted a long time ago, but we haven't heard anything in months. I was beginning to wonder if this is dead. Overall not a huge fan of the project, but it will finish up the south side of the lake between Mill and Rural.

[Jjs5056]

Why aren't you a fan of the project? The height?

I was disappointed with the lack of height originally, and especially now given the demand ultimately needed to house Mrina Heights workers, and was also unimpressed with the way it addresses Rio Salado and the lake. But, ultimately, I'm realizing I just won't ever be satisfied with how developers handle their approach to this. Given that each has failed to both activate Rio Salado and create public space on the lake side, I have to imagine it just isn't possible and/or that maybe Tempe should've situated the land better to allow development on both the street and the lake? I'm really not sure.

On a positive note, it's good to see that projects we assumed dead have come back to life: I hate the trend of design that Alta Apartments (University and Hardy) will follow but the chances of a better quality urban project going there are slim anyway so it's a win, The Lofts at Hayden will essentially connect Mill to Rural (too bad a hotel won't snatch up that last remaining pad), and now it looks like The Residences at Fointainhead are ready to break ground. More more midrise offices are coming to the Broadway Curve (up to 12 stories) so I'm glad they're at least incorporating residential into the master plans.

http://azremagazine.com/new-market/marke...campaign=GPEConnect&cb=02899106643162668

Obviously, we've past the point of preventing that area from stealing jobs and development away from downtown, so how have other cities dealt with such secondary "cores?" Do we look at transit options like BRT or simply accept its fate as a suburban tech center and be grateful for any more residential and retail they incorporate that help reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible? Really is too bad all the Broadway Curve development wasn't brought to the western end of Rio Salado, University, or even to SouthBank given the pathetic outcome of that project.

[PhxER]

Here kind of a break down of the timeline for the Sun Devil Stadium.



Image Source

[PHX31]

Cool, but wait. .. the section I have my season tickets are going to become the student section?

[asugrad]

Really? is this what is going to happen on the large dirt lot in a Tempe neighborhood?

[cygnusloop99]

Originally Posted by asugrad

Really? is this what is going to happen on the large dirt lot in a Tempe neighborhood?

Technically it's true. I believe this garage is part of the large planned residential development on that lot. Hopefully this is an indication that the project is going to get built soon.

[azsunsurfer]

That's good news! I remember they had said they were hoping to start construction first quarter of this year. Its suppose to be 5 buildings ranging from 5-6 stories of residential and retail! The renderings are around here somewhere. It will be nice to fill that awkward corner parcel.

[nickw252]

Looks like the foundation for a third tower crane is being worked on.

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by nickw252

Looks like the foundation for a third tower crane is being worked on.

http://oxblue.com/open/ryancompanies/marinaheights

This seems to be moving along nicely. Can't wait for it to start going vertical.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for across the lake where the proposed Onyx tower was going to go? Do they still own the land even though the plan fell through? And what was the proposed height for that building? I would love to see highrises surrounding the lake right up against the 202. That is such prime land I'm surprised it hasn't been developed yet.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by rocksteady

This seems to be moving along nicely. Can't wait for it to start going vertical.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for across the lake where the proposed Onyx tower was going to go? Do they still own the land even though the plan fell through? And what was the proposed height for that building? I would love to see highrises surrounding the lake right up against the 202. That is such prime land I'm surprised it hasn't been developed yet.

I tried contacting the developer a few months back, telling them I was interested in purchasing a place and asking if they were still planning this project. No response. I think this is dead. Hopefully the landowner, or next landowner does something atleast 10+ stories.

[Jjs5056]

Hopefully, the garage being built isn't some shady business that ends up being leased out to ASU or something; in other words, the project - The Grand for those who want to look it up - better get developed in full.

As for Onyx, I posted a few months back that the land was purchased. No plans as of now, but given the zoning, price, and size of the parcel, I imagine. Hi-rise would be needed to break even, no?

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

Hopefully, the garage being built isn't some shady business that ends up being leased out to ASU or something; in other words, the project - The Grand for those who want to look it up - better get developed in full.

As for Onyx, I posted a few months back that the land was purchased. No plans as of now, but given the zoning, price, and size of the parcel, I imagine. Hi-rise would be needed to break even, no?

Do you recall the amount the land was sold for? Or was it not disclosed?