Tempe Development Thread

[phoenixwillrise]

Well boys and girls I grew up in the Tempe area and I have always disliked that mill. It might blow your little myopic minds, but I have basically been behind just about every historical building salvage job or rebuild job that I have heard about in the Phoenix area but I just don't like this one. Sorry I am not your clone and don't drink your kool aid. This particular project I could get behind if they do something that is in addition to or radically alters this eyesore. I liked what I did see of the winery proposal but I would not like this mill just repainted or spruced up in and of itself. The reason they have forums like this is for people to express their opinions, you have yours I have mine that doesn't make you the crown prince of preservation or whatever the hell you like to think of yourself.

[azliam]

Originally Posted by KEVINphx

Precisely! Thank you for the well-stated response.




I believe the response from Westbev quoted above explains quite well why you shouldn't need a career in design to understand this. I was initially just making a point about individuals aesthetic opinions; but honestly, you don't need a career or education in design to use your imagination to visualize the place as something different. I suppose that is something I've never really understood though; kind of like people who can't visualize a building by it's floor plan.

Also, no one here really should need to suggest a renovation for the mill, we are simply discussing the POTENTIAL. Relatively detailed information about what the city plans to do has been released and if you can't IMAGINE that, then that's your issue.

I think my response to you had more to do with the fact that you were being a prick in the way that you responded to the other poster, rather than trying to educate the poster. In my "imagination", you are a kinder, less aloof poster.

[westbev93]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but as you point out, the board is for discussing viewpoints. You supported your view that the mill is not that important because there are thousands like it throughout the Midwest. I merely wanted to express why that argument should not be permitted to justify tearing down a very important piece of Tempe history.

In a perfect world, maybe the mill would actually be re-used in a way that is economically productive like a business (not sure how you would make it residential without windows). But in the interim, while lending has screeched to a virtual halt, why not spruce up the grounds and make it an extension of beach park? Why not make it a community gathering place? There are low-cost ways of utilizing places and structures (historic or otherwise) that can benefit everyone. Just because the current proposal of making a low-cost park isn't the kind of "silver bullet" solution people around the Valley typically look for, this is something. We may even find that these low-cost solutions end up being better and more appreciated than the silver bullet super projects we typically turn to.

I'd like to personally thank the City of Tempe for actually having the balls to save something historic and re-use it. It's a nice change from Phoenix's answer of tearing everything down and hoping for some savior developer to come.

[MegaBass]

Originally Posted by westbev93

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but as you point out, the board is for discussing viewpoints. You supported your view that the mill is not that important because there are thousands like it throughout the Midwest. I merely wanted to express why that argument should not be permitted to justify tearing down a very important piece of Tempe history.

In a perfect world, maybe the mill would actually be re-used in a way that is economically productive like a business (not sure how you would make it residential without windows). But in the interim, while lending has screeched to a virtual halt, why not spruce up the grounds and make it an extension of beach park? Why not make it a community gathering place? There are low-cost ways of utilizing places and structures (historic or otherwise) that can benefit everyone. Just because the current proposal of making a low-cost park isn't the kind of "silver bullet" solution people around the Valley typically look for, this is something. We may even find that these low-cost solutions end up being better and more appreciated than the silver bullet super projects we typically turn to.

I'd like to personally thank the City of Tempe for actually having the balls to save something historic and re-use it. It's a nice change from Phoenix's answer of tearing everything down and hoping for some savior developer to come.

Yeah as the EVT article said a connection to Monti's. I think they should go the route that Pizzeria Bianco did by creating a Bar Bianco-type thing with the Mill. Also they could make it an extension to Tempe Historical Museum by whatever collections they have on the Haydens and otehr notable Tempe residents. As long as this little project has a pathway that connects to the Butte and at least looks presentable with the repaint I think it'll definitely catch some praise from the surrounding community.

[jefe]

Hypothetical question:

If you could look 30 years into the future and see that the mill will never be redeveloped or even cleaned up, would you still want to preserve the mill, or would you vote to demolish and build something new?

I say demolish/start over.

[Don B.]

^ That's a logically flawed argument, called "appeal to absurdity." Anything could be argued in this fashion. That's not a logical outcome to the situation.

The economy will eventually come back, and when it does, places like Tempe are far better suited to enjoy that when it happens. Maybe it will take five years, but some collaborative project between the city using tax dollars to help rehab the structure and a developer working on the rest of the parcel is likely.

Arizona has precious little history left. Let us not run headlong into the night of more dirt lots or even parking lots.

--don

[Jsmscaleros]

I'm pleased to see the Mill is becoming a public space and a renewed landmark. Mill Ave would never be the same without the actual Mill and I'm glad to see the city doing something positive with the building for an extremely small investment. It's one of the oldest structures in the city and to most people that were born and raised here that makes it worth saving.

Seriously, find something worthwhile to bitch about...

[Jsmscaleros]

Also, a new 11-story Mariott hotel will be breaking ground in Tempe late this summer:

http://www.sofa-connect.org/connected/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26#p108

[glynnjamin]

Originally Posted by azliam

While it's true that not all of us plan to have a career in design, urban planning, etc..., I would like to imagine the mill being renovated too, but neither you nor anybody else has even offered to design what the renovated mill could look like, yet you are expecting that we use our imagination, so give the guy a break. Until then, while the mill has historic value, it IS and has been an eyesore.

There have been plans for this. Just because you didn't look doesn't mean they aren't there.
MCW's plan - http://www.tempe.gov/haydenflourmill/PADsubmittalDEC06.pdf
Substance- http://www.substancedesignconsortium.com/hayden.html

[phoenixwillrise]

Right on glyjammin. I can live with that plan. I believe those were the plans for the group from NORCAL that was going to do the plan that included a wine storage deal. Anyway that plan helped minimize the butt ugly looking silos and would give the entry way to Tempe a cleaner look.

[azliam]

Originally Posted by glynnjamin

There have been plans for this. Just because you didn't look doesn't mean they aren't there.
MCW's plan - http://www.tempe.gov/haydenflourmill/PADsubmittalDEC06.pdf
Substance- http://www.substancedesignconsortium.com/hayden.html

Thanks for posting these.

It still doesn't change my opinion of the way some people speak to others on here. Just because someone voices his/her opinion on something he/she may not be as informed or educated about doesn't mean others who may know more about that subject need to be so condescending towards them.

[MegaBass]

Originally Posted by Jsmscaleros

Also, a new 11-story Mariott hotel will be breaking ground in Tempe late this summer:

http://www.sofa-connect.org/connected/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26#p108

Is that south of University Towers otherwise known as the infamous Block 12 site? Blows my mind that they can knock down south campus side of Alpha Drive and what not for Vista del Sol, Hassayampa, Barrett, and ISTB IV recently yet they've struggled to come up with something on this lot.

[MegaBass]

Whoops should have looked at the link first. Anyway wonder where they'll relocate this Urban Garden. Area between the Mill and A Mountain would be interesting.

[PhxER]

Originally Posted by MegaBass

Is that south of University Towers

Its West of University Towers, where the community garden is now

[MegaBass]

So some clarity on the SRC expansion that I posted on earlier. They were deciding between the three sites, Main, PE West and by the Alpha Drive site. The SRC Facebook just announced:

After considerable deliberation, ASU has identified an EXPANSION of the main SRC as the most appropriate of the proposed alternatives! Lace up your racing shoes...we're off and running!

[HX_Guy]

Gracie’s Village to be redeveloped in Tempe
Phoenix Business Journal
Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 10:49am MST

A Wisconsin developer plans to take on the complete redevelopment of a 60-year-old storefront where Grace Community Church of the Valley currently operates a thrift store.
Gracie’s Village in Tempe is a public-private partnership between Gorman & Co. and Grace Community Church. Also involved are the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Arizona Department of Housing and the city of Tempe.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot project, scheduled to break ground in March 2012, will include a mix of ground-floor community facilities and a new thrift store, plus 74 units of affordable housing on five floors above the shop.
Located along the Metro light rail line at 1520 E. Apache Blvd., the new building will be solar-powered. The developer is seeking certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program based on its use of green building technologies.
The mix of 672- to 1,064-square-foot units will rent for $397 to $611 a month.
The project architect is RNL of Phoenix.
In addition to the thrift store and apartments, there is a community room, medical clinic, cafe, playground and picnic area.
The new community is expected to open in March 2013.

[SunDevil]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

Gracie’s Village to be redeveloped in Tempe
Phoenix Business Journal
Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011, 10:49am MST

A Wisconsin developer plans to take on the complete redevelopment of a 60-year-old storefront where Grace Community Church of the Valley currently operates a thrift store.
Gracie’s Village in Tempe is a public-private partnership between Gorman & Co. and Grace Community Church. Also involved are the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Arizona Department of Housing and the city of Tempe.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot project, scheduled to break ground in March 2012, will include a mix of ground-floor community facilities and a new thrift store, plus 74 units of affordable housing on five floors above the shop.
Located along the Metro light rail line at 1520 E. Apache Blvd., the new building will be solar-powered. The developer is seeking certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program based on its use of green building technologies.
The mix of 672- to 1,064-square-foot units will rent for $397 to $611 a month.
The project architect is RNL of Phoenix.
In addition to the thrift store and apartments, there is a community room, medical clinic, cafe, playground and picnic area.
The new community is expected to open in March 2013.

Holy hell, a developer who actually "gets it".

[TempeSilverFox]

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe...-senior-apartments-encore-on-farmer.html

Not sure if anyone posted this previously- didn't look like it. I know we already discussed Encore on Farmer- but this was a blurb about it in the Tempe Republic. I like the idea of a landscaped walkway leading from University to the lake. Will be interesting to see what else gets built in this "Farmers Arts District!"

[MegaBass]

So I was right about the Urban Garden's new location.

The Hayden Flour Mill plan includes:

• Painting the Hayden Flour Mill, including the historic flour bag.

• Moving the downtown Tempe Urban Garden from Fifth Street and Forest Avenue to the flour mill.

• Placing the city's Showmobile at the Flour Mill as an on-site stage.

• Placing trees in boxes on the grounds. The trees would be used on Mill Avenue when needed.

• Removing most of the fencing around the mill and installing a lighting system that would deter people from vandalism and unsafe behaviors.

The city has two precedents for the project:

The Urban Garden: Land adjacent to the City Hall Parking Garage was intended to be a hotel. But for more than two years, the Downtown Tempe Community has used the space for its urban garden and Thursday night Market on Mill. Now that the hotel is nearly ready to break ground, the garden will be relocated.

Madcap Theaters: Developer DMB partnered with the Downtown Tempe Community temporarily to convert the empty Harkins Theater space off Mill Avenue and Sixth Street into the Madcap Theaters, a performance and event space that houses plays, conferences, movies, comedy shows and more.

The city is dedicating $70,000 to the project, which is scheduled to be completed by fall. Hallman said he expected to soon announce a $200,000 private donation for the effort. The Tempe City Council approved the plan last week.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe...our-mill-events-venue.html#ixzz1PVLvu82j

[Jsmscaleros]

Rendering of the completed Encore Apartments as well as the latest construction progress:

http://www.sofa-connect.org/connected/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39#p114