Tempe Development Thread

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/...ys-tempe-center-next-to-asu-for-29m.html

I think this is good news. He is a smart man and I'm sure in the short term will reap the benefits of the leases on the property. However, in the long term I think he envisions redeveloping that key property on University and Rural into something really awesome. Especially since it already has some solid retail and Improv.

I wish somebody with a long term vision would but the other two corner lots on the SWC and SEC. That will be a key intersection for development in 5-10 years and much of the available lots between Rural and Mill are fully developed.

Hopefully he does something cool with it! I always wished that corner was flipped inside out so the stores faced outwards towards the street.

[TempeSilverFox]

I just stopped by Culinary Dropout/ The Yard Tempe and it is REALLY COOL! They let me in and showed me all around. The space is HUGE!!!! That building is WAY bigger than it appears from the outside!
And yes!!! There are all the outside games like the one in Phoenix: Corn hole, billiards etc. I'm super excited!
They are doing a soft opening this weekend and their grand opening is on December 9 (I think someone on here already mentioned that...)
Sorry I didn't get any photos but if you can- definitely stop by to see it! I'm so excited it's down the street from my home!!!

[Spitfiredude]

I expect this place to be very successful. I think with the 4 hotels in planning (AC, USA, Kimpton, and Mill), Hanover, Univ House 2, SALT, Farmer, and various other developments in process, Mill is going to become very popular and crowded in the next 3 years with residents and people here 24-7; not that it already isn't...

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by Spitfiredude

I expect this place to be very successful. I think with the 4 hotels in planning (AC, USA, Kimpton, and Mill), Hanover, Univ House 2, SALT, Farmer, and various other developments in process, Mill is going to become very popular and crowded in the next 3 years with residents and people here 24-7; not that it already isn't...

Can't wait!! Once all of these things are in place I would love to see a few floating bar/restaurant barges around the lake to bring further activity towards the lake. I think that would dramatically change the "feel" of the lake and make it a destination rather than just a water feature.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by rocksteady

Can't wait!! Once all of these things are in place I would love to see a few floating bar/restaurant barges around the lake to bring further activity towards the lake. I think that would dramatically change the "feel" of the lake and make it a destination rather than just a water feature.

If I were you, I'd email your suggestion to the city council and mayor. They clearly are on top of their RFPs and I think activity is only going to accelerate under the current regime's watch. I'm sure they'd love the idea and promote it to the economic development team.

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

If I were you, I'd email your suggestion to the city council and mayor. They clearly are on top of their RFPs and I think activity is only going to accelerate under the current regime's watch. I'm sure they'd love the idea and promote it to the economic development team.

Good suggestion. I'm sure the city and people like Sam Fox and the other big restaurant gurus in the city would love to team up for the first Bar/Restaurant barges on the lake.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by rocksteady

Good suggestion. I'm sure the city and people like Sam Fox and the other big restaurant gurus in the city would love to team up for the first Bar/Restaurant barges on the lake.

Absolutely. Where would you suggest the first one be located? Marina Heights? Beach Park? Hayden Ferry?

Or maybe if the City/ASU RFP's the corner of Rural and Rio Salado after Marina Heights is complete and the construction offices move off the last remaining parcel.

Personally, I'd suggest Hayden Ferry as the site of the first floating bar/restaurant. Reasons being:

• It can be accessed from the Beach Park (via walkway under the bridge)
• Draw after work/lunch crowds from the offices at Hayden Ferry and Marina Heights
• Draw residents from HFL condos and SALT apartments
• Draw visitors from new Marriot AC, Kimpton and Hayden Mill hotel

Additionally, it would be cool to see something at the end of Farmer. I would suggest a floating fitness applicatio (it could tie in with Madison). Yoga and spin could be done in the mornings and evenings (perhaps some shade over the barge for summer). Maybe even do something cool with the bridge where the speed of the spin control the lights on the light rail bridge.

I guess we can dream, but these days dreams are become a reality in Tempe.

EDIT:

Actually, this could get exciting... what if there was an extended dock/barge with Restaurant/bar, garden, fitness/yoga, observation. I don't see it being too difficult logistically and could be absolutely incredible for Tempe. I'd probably place it between Mill and Rural in front of SALT, HFL and Marina Heights.

[PHXFlyer11]

Okay, so I took the liberty of emailing the economic development team the idea. I immediately got a response within 2 minutes:

"Thank you! I love the creative thinking and really appreciate you reaching out.

I will give it some thought and share with the team."

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

Absolutely. Where would you suggest the first one be located? Marina Heights? Beach Park? Hayden Ferry?

Or maybe if the City/ASU RFP's the corner of Rural and Rio Salado after Marina Heights is complete and the construction offices move off the last remaining parcel.

Personally, I'd suggest Hayden Ferry as the site of the first floating bar/restaurant. Reasons being:

• It can be accessed from the Beach Park (via walkway under the bridge)
• Draw after work/lunch crowds from the offices at Hayden Ferry and Marina Heights
• Draw residents from HFL condos and SALT apartments
• Draw visitors from new Marriot AC, Kimpton and Hayden Mill hotel

Additionally, it would be cool to see something at the end of Farmer. I would suggest a floating fitness applicatio (it could tie in with Madison). Yoga and spin could be done in the mornings and evenings (perhaps some shade over the barge for summer). Maybe even do something cool with the bridge where the speed of the spin control the lights on the light rail bridge.

I guess we can dream, but these days dreams are become a reality in Tempe.

EDIT:

Actually, this could get exciting... what if there was an extended dock/barge with Restaurant/bar, garden, fitness/yoga, observation. I don't see it being too difficult logistically and could be absolutely incredible for Tempe. I'd probably place it between Mill and Rural in front of SALT, HFL and Marina Heights.

Love these ideas! Those 3 locations are actually the exact ones I had in mind. In fact, I would love to see something at all 3 locations some day to provide some diversity and competition and allow people to hop around to different locations on the lake. How cool would it be to have a small taxi boat going back and forth to each one- Bar hopping on the the water? Then, eventually more over on the north shore once that side gets developed. The benefits are endless, and they would always be packed on game days, holidays, events, good weather. Even in the hot summer it seems like people would like the idea of sitting out on the lake with a nice cold cocktail- provided there is shade and misters to enjoy the summer sunsets. For those 3 barge locations I envisioned two of them being bar/restaurants and the third serving cocktails only for those that just want to drink/pre-drink before or after dinner or going out to party on Mill Ave. For the restaurants, I see one being cajun/New orleans style and the other a more modern Fox style place.

I didn't even thing about an extended barge for exercise! That would be fabulous and very unique to the area. I could see these doing really well near the residential areas of the lake.

Thanks for emailing them the idea! I hope they really consider it and see the possibilities! These folks seem to take these ideas to heart much more than the idiots in Phoenix! Time finally get some real use out of this lake now that the investment is starting to show.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by rocksteady

Love these ideas! Those 3 locations are actually the exact ones I had in mind. In fact, I would love to see something at all 3 locations some day to provide some diversity and competition and allow people to hop around to different locations on the lake. How cool would it be to have a small taxi boat going back and forth to each one- Bar hopping on the the water? Then, eventually more over on the north shore once that side gets developed. The benefits are endless, and they would always be packed on game days, holidays, events, good weather. Even in the hot summer it seems like people would like the idea of sitting out on the lake with a nice cold cocktail- provided there is shade and misters to enjoy the summer sunsets. For those 3 barge locations I envisioned two of them being bar/restaurants and the third serving cocktails only for those that just want to drink/pre-drink before or after dinner or going out to party on Mill Ave. For the restaurants, I see one being cajun/New orleans style and the other a more modern Fox style place.

I didn't even thing about an extended barge for exercise! That would be fabulous and very unique to the area. I could see these doing really well near the residential areas of the lake.

Thanks for emailing them the idea! I hope they really consider it and see the possibilities! These folks seem to take these ideas to heart much more than the idiots in Phoenix! Time finally get some real use out of this lake now that the investment is starting to show.

I would encourage you to email the city as well. Pretty easy to find on the their web site.

If anything, I think we should maybe clarify. I used the word barge as you had. But I think we my be misrepresenting the idea. Barge by some may be interpreted to be floating away from the bank, as in the middle of the lake. That is probably not feasible. I think what we mean is a dock or floating dock. Pier is probably a more appealing word and concept. Hayden Pier perhaps?

Although, I don't see a pier extending into the lake north to south, I think it is more of a dock or docked barge, that is parallel to the south shore, but Pier is the sexy word.

Right now what's missing is a true connection to the water. Aside from those who boat, as a pedestrian I really feel far from the water due to the hugh concrete barriers. A dock or pier could float and makes you actually feel like you're on the water.

I also thought a Hayden Ferry's Wheel would but fun. But I'm not so sure it could pulled off without looking tacky. If so, the beach park would be the right place for that I feel.

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer11

I would encourage you to email the city as well. Pretty easy to find on the their web site.

If anything, I think we should maybe clarify. I used the word barge as you had. But I think we my be misrepresenting the idea. Barge by some may be interpreted to be floating away from the bank, as in the middle of the lake. That is probably not feasible. I think what we mean is a dock or floating dock. Pier is probably a more appealing word and concept. Hayden Pier perhaps?

Although, I don't see a pier extending into the lake north to south, I think it is more of a dock or docked barge, that is parallel to the south shore, but Pier is the sexy word.

Right now what's missing is a true connection to the water. Aside from those who boat, as a pedestrian I really feel far from the water due to the hugh concrete barriers. A dock or pier could float and makes you actually feel like you're on the water.

I also thought a Hayden Ferry's Wheel would but fun. But I'm not so sure it could pulled off without looking tacky. If so, the beach park would be the right place for that I feel.

I think a dock/pier would work fine in various parts of the lake, particularly for exercise, viewing the lake, fishing... and I love the name "Hayden Pier"... but I was thinking for the restaurants and bars something even more unique. Like a real boat/barge that is permanently docked. New York has an awesome boat bar/restaurant called The Frying Pan- link to image below. Something instantly recognizable and different. "Wait, there are open air boats in Phoenix/Tempe with restaurants and bars on them!?" Tourists would instantly want to go check it out and locals would love having something unique and different to go to.

http://images.nymag.com/listings/bar/1TheFryingPan.jpg

Night time image with a smaller ferry boat next to it packed with people- which would be awesome to shuttle them off to another bar/boat destination.

http://internsnthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/frying-pan.jpg

[PHXFlyer11]

More good news... The Squatter at 1st and Farmer's days seem numbered. The Supreme Court of AZ refused to hear the case today. This means the state is free to take their half the land. The city now promises to pursue legal action against the squatter under the same grounds to take their portion.

[Phxguy]

I love all these ideas not only because their fantastic but also because the people in Tempe City hall are actually making them feasible. This all isn't a pipe dream anymore. It would like to see:
-A fish and chip or seafood restaurant with a patio fronting the lake on the North side.
-Maybe a clock tower ( doesn't have to be Big Ben, but something that looks cool and could have a ball drop for New Years). North side.
-A museum (Papago Park museum, Rio Salado history and small aquarium)
- more interactive displays in Beach Park (ie floor piano)

-This one is a real pipe dream but what if Tempe and Scottsdale agreed to put the freeway underground and seamlessly reconnect Papago Park to the lake?

[rocksteady]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

I love all these ideas not only because their fantastic but also because the people in Tempe City hall are actually making them feasible. This all isn't a pipe dream anymore. It would like to see:
-A fish and chip or seafood restaurant with a patio fronting the lake on the North side.
-Maybe a clock tower ( doesn't have to be Big Ben, but something that looks cool and could have a ball drop for New Years). North side.
-A museum (Papago Park museum, Rio Salado history and small aquarium)
- more interactive displays in Beach Park (ie floor piano)

-This one is a real pipe dream but what if Tempe and Scottsdale agreed to put the freeway underground and seamlessly reconnect Papago Park to the lake?

Haha I have thought about this before and while it would never happen it is fun to entertain the possibilities. Talk about what a huge change this would create connecting Tempe, the Lake, and Papago. It all seems so cut off by that freeway that connecting the two best regions in the metro area would create a single "region" all in its own. You'd have your urban, water, and nature features flowing from one to the other. Talk about "Work, Live, Play". This would allow them the opportunity to get rid of those ugly eye-sore power lines for a nice unobstructed view.

[PHXFlyer11]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

I love all these ideas not only because their fantastic but also because the people in Tempe City hall are actually making them feasible. This all isn't a pipe dream anymore. It would like to see:
-A fish and chip or seafood restaurant with a patio fronting the lake on the North side.
-Maybe a clock tower ( doesn't have to be Big Ben, but something that looks cool and could have a ball drop for New Years). North side.
-A museum (Papago Park museum, Rio Salado history and small aquarium)
- more interactive displays in Beach Park (ie floor piano)

-This one is a real pipe dream but what if Tempe and Scottsdale agreed to put the freeway underground and seamlessly reconnect Papago Park to the lake?

I'd settle for then burrying the power lines! Haha

I really do love driving East on the 202 though and reaching the bend just before Priest. That freeway provides the best view of Downtown Tempe. I do agree we'd see more action to the North though if the 202 wasn't such a huge physical barrier. I think the North side will pick up after the South shore is more fully developed.

[PHXFlyer11]

I like your piano idea. I could see that by the arts center. Perhaps it could control the lights on the light rail bridge or pedestrian bridge and could even play sound based on time of day (no sounds after 11pm).

I think a water feature would be awesome than ran parallel to the light rail bridge. It could be programmed to run shows, or simply fire a series of fountains from right to left and left to right as trains pass across the bridge in either direction. Probably an expensive proposition.

[Jjs5056]

There was at one point plans to build a bigger, mixed use marina during the boom days. If "the residences on town lake" gets built adjacent to the existing marina, I'd love to see a pier with a restaurant just off the shore; the developer included retail spaces within the proposal for the purpose of attracting businesses that complement the boat/shipping/marina industry, so it seems like a pretty good fit for the area.

It's too bad HFL is so inward-facing, but luckily Marina Heights will have retail facing the lake. I'd love to see a ferry that took visitors from one side to the other to eat/shop/hang out. This could also be possible on the other side of the bridge, connecting the residents on the north shore with SouthBank, the Chinese development, and Stadium District depending on how their retail is aligned.

[dtnphx]

Tempe approves Hayden Flour Mill restoration

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/...92844144f674e291dd986763848&t=1417817672

[DevilsRider]

Photo post #1. Many more on the way!

Culinary Dropout/The Yard at Farmer Arts District. I'm a little disappointed by the high wood fencing (though I know they have it at the 7th St location too. It would have been really cool to be able to look out onto downtown Tempe.


The Residences on Farmer. If I remember correctly, it's one floor shorter than Encore, but it hardly looks it. I think it scales nicely with the existing building. Not sure if this was planned to go all the way to University, but there's nothing really going on past what you see here. Hanover. They've done a pretty good job wrapping the garage, leaving only the small segment that fronts another garage entry or a valet (I can't remember which) at W6. I did see a garage entrance off of Maple, too, but it seemed to be inconspicuous. I couldn't really tell b/c of the arts festival blocking it. For the most part, you won't be able to tell a garage is there. Skywater/Argo (across from TCA). Somehow, they still haven't finished construction on this guy, but I think they've started moving people in on the east side. It looks pretty good (the fins/sails turned out odd-looking though) and seems like a very dense development.

[DevilsRider]

Photo post #2.

HF3 and SALT/The Lofts. HF3 is coming along well. Up to the floorplate for floor 5. I like how they pulled back slightly at the corner (it looks like there will be an antenna or something projecting up through the corner near the top, but at the floor, there's room for a nice entry plaza or wide sidewalk corner. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that piece of blue looks like it could be the base for a tower crane at SALT? It looks like A&P is doing the project; if anyone finds a construction cam, please share!


Marina Heights. The big one. These look really neat from the ground (the cuts almost make it appear like a piece of the building is floating on air. All the buildings have started going vertical (though only barely for the easternmost). They really hug Rio Salado, and I think they'll look real good from ground level when it's all said and done.