Tempe Development Thread

[alexico]

I ate at Casa last weekend, I did not get a chance to go upstairs, I was told there is no bar up there though (kind of a waste?) they had great drinks. nice to see a few decent mixed drinks/cocktails on Mill Ave where they put effort into the drink.

I had the burger, not my cup of tea how it made. nothing for Deluxe, zinburger or the Grind to worry about.

the patio/bar is very close to the street. I wonder how this place will be when the weather 100+ there is not much protection at all. Handlebars and Canteen are inside/outside bars but their inside offers good protection from the elements. this bar doesnt have anything to really protect and sun/strong rains... I hope does well. the more bars on Mill the better (well for me)

I will go there again for the drinks but I prefer Canteen (esp the bar portion on 6th st)

[nickw252]

A 19-story apartment building across from Sun Devil Stadium, that could be home to nearly 700 by fall, is among the new developments giving rise to increased optimism about Tempe’s economy.

Hub on Campus, a high-rise just east of Mill Avenue near a Marriott Residence Inn that is under construction, is geared toward Arizona State University students. The 269-unit apartment, on the southeastern corner of Veterans Way and College Avenue, is expected to be completed by August, timed to coincide with ASU’s fall semester.

Melissa Flath, Hub’s leasing manager, said that it is more than 80 percent leased with about 500 students.

Businesses are looking forward to the developments attracting a wave of consumers to the region, said Jimmy Cerracchio, vice president of marketing and business development for the Downtown Tempe Community Inc., which manages the Mill Avenue District for landowners.

“The housing coming on line is amazing, and more and more businesses continue to locate here (downtown Tempe),” Cerracchio said. “I think the biggest impact is … we’re going to see a lot more students spending more time on Mill Avenue.”

The positive outlook on the city’s economic development was the theme of a recent Tempe Chamber of Commerce “Hot Topics” luncheon. The chamber hosted Cerracchio and Alex Smith, Tempe’s acting economic-development manager.

Cerracchio said he gave the business community attending the forum an update on recent and upcoming downtown developments.

Among future projects adding to the buzz is ASU’s new College Avenue Commons, formerly known as the Block 12 development.

The proposed five-story, 137,000-square-foot site, at College Avenue and Seventh Street, is in the Mill Avenue District boundaries but off the more highly-trafficked Mill Avenue strip. The development, expected to be completed in July 2014, will include an ASU bookstore, marketplace, faculty offices and classroom space.

“It’s providing a connection between the campus and Mill Avenue, and taking up an area that’s been vacant for a long time,” Cerracchio said. “As we fill in with stuff between Mill and College it’s good for us because it encourages that traffic to go both ways and supporting more retail on and off Mill.”

Cerracchio said that ASU officials anticipate starting student-orientation tours at College Avenue Commons, which will provide an early introduction for students to the Mill Avenue District businesses in the area.

The economic uptick comes as the city prepares for the loss of the US Airways’ headquarters in downtown Tempe. US Airways is merging with American Airlines and plans to move the headquarters to Fort Worth, Texas.

Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell and City Council members have noted that the airlines will maintain employees at the office for the time being. Councilman Joel Navarro has said that the best-case scenario is for the bulk of jobs to remain long enough for the economy to improve sufficiently that the blow will not be felt as hard.

Mary Ann Miller, Tempe Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said that updates at the economic-development-themed luncheon on low vacancy rates for downtown office space indicate that if US Airways abandons the building it will not be long before another major business leases the site.

At 6 percent, the office-vacancy rate for downtown has decreased by 22 percent since 2010, according to a report provided by Downtown Tempe Community, which tracks available commercial space in the Mill Avenue District. The retail vacancy rate is 18.8 percent, which is a 12 percent decrease since 2009.

Given the need for more high-end office space, Cerracchio said that he looks forward to construction starting on a new commercial development at Hayden Ferry Lakeside at Town Lake.

Miller said business owners will be thrilled about Smith’s announcement at the luncheon that the city has hired Deedee Kimbrell to assist medium- to small-size businesses wanting to locate in Tempe. Kimbrell will help businesses navigate the permitting process and other hurdles they may encounter while opening a new business.

“We have all been beaten down over the last five years in this economy, but there are now a lot of exciting things going on in Tempe,” Miller said. “The more we can get word out, the more that we can let businesses know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that there’s growth, the better they can start preparing.”

Although measured, the upswing in the economy is being felt by residents, said Harvey Gibson, a business-development officer for Tempe Schools Credit Union who attended the chamber luncheon and lives in Tempe.

“Being in the banking industry and working for a credit union we see it (the economy improving), people are borrowing money,” he said. “Is it massive and shooting up like rocket? No. I will always take faster and more but we are seeing smaller (improvements) and that’s good.”

Are there any plans for the Hayden Ferry Lakeside office project? I remember about a year ago there was that big press conference with the mayor essentially announcing that they were thinking about building an office. It seemed like it was just to get publicity to drum up interest for potential tenants. I haven't heard anything since.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/20130401tempe-apartments-economy-on-rise.html

[Jjs5056]

Someone mentioned last week that construction is expected to begin this year. It's a damn shame how all of the HFL buildings turn their backs to Rio Salado. It's insane that there is such a lack of retail in that area... A nice, upscale restaurant on this corner on the ground level would have done wonders in joining Monti's as the only real draw past NCounter. It's no reason it was such a struggle getting retail leased at Gateway. It's surrounded by lots and lack of... Anything.

Retail there, 1-story retail add on to the west side of the mill (with the mill itself and additions to the north/south for condos or hotel use), and development of the Palms parking lot would go a long way in eliminating such a dead zone.

On the other hand, 5th and 6th are proving that downtown and urbanity is spreading beyond Mill. Excited to see what impact the Marriott and Hub have on the retail scene on 5th. It would really be great for some of the garage retail to start filling up. Maybe that would entice future developments to wrap their garages: maybe, my some miracle, in time for the Ash and Uni garage to include retail. Further, Casa is a great addition to the Mill/6th intersection that always seemed to be empty/closed.

All the more reason that the Hanover project is such a big miss. I already think the plaza in front of W6 cuts off all momentum, but doing something similar on the Hanover lot (plaza with a few retail spots) could have at least created some synergy and given an outdoor mall kind of feel to that area (perfect for the influx of seniors coming to the area! Ugh.). The north and south need to be lined with retail- the east side is fine just being a residential street, IMO.

[Spitfiredude]

I e-mailed Harkins Theatres about opening a location at Centerpoint and here is their response:

"...we have made every effort as we think it should be a home grown operator here rather than a foreign company. However, the developer is currently working with another company and unfortunately, it is not our decision....."

Looks like Harkins is not a candidate for the Madcap.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Spitfiredude

I e-mailed Harkins Theatres about opening a location at Centerpoint and here is their response:

"...we have made every effort as we think it should be a home grown operator here rather than a foreign company. However, the developer is currently working with another company and unfortunately, it is not our decision....."

Looks like Harkins is not a candidate for the Madcap.

The "foreign company" wording suggests AMC, which is owned by the Canadian company Cineplex Odeon. I have little sympathy for Harkins' protectionist rhetoric given the local company's record of neglecting urban cores while pursuing the latest fringe locations.

[ciweiss]

I saw some construction activity going on at the corner of McClintock and Rio Salado. Could the once planned hotel be going up (at Tempe Marketplace) ?

Also, Hayden Ferry Lakeside has a nice little coffee shot back there but because of that parking garage unless you work there or visited you probably would have no idea. I agree it was a poor design. I think any retail there would need to advertise on the outside of that garage if people are going to venture in.

[PhxER]

^^^^ No, its a Portillo's Restaurant
Their website says summer 2013, they will open.
Website

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by PhxER

^^^^ No, its a Portillo's Restaurant
Their website says summer 2013, they will open.
Website

Portillo's! If only it had oppened 5 years ago I could have shown my college friends the beuty of beef Sandwiches dunked in Ajus.

[MegaBass]

Per ASU Business-Finance Twitter College Avenue Commons

[MegaBass]

I was looking at ASU CFO site and noticed they listed a few solar shade pavilions on Cady Mall, Orange Mall and Gammage Parkway that look to be breaking ground next Fall. I guess that means that Pringles shade structure by the MU days are numbered unless its being relocated elsewhere or cooperated into the plan. Along with some solar structures over the smaller parking lots.

Solar Installation site on the Tempe Campus

[TempeSilverFox]

Originally Posted by MegaBass

I was looking at ASU CFO site and noticed they listed a few solar shade pavilions on Cady Mall, Orange Mall and Gammage Parkway that look to be breaking ground next Fall. I guess that means that Pringles shade structure by the MU days are numbered unless its being relocated elsewhere or cooperated into the plan. Along with some solar structures over the smaller parking lots.

Solar Installation site on the Tempe Campus

This makes me so happy! ASU has really set an incredible example with their solar installations. I have often wondered why places like AZ Mills (or any other large shopping malls in the valley) don't utilize their enormous parking lots for large scale solar installations similar to the "Solar Parasol" that ASU installed near the stadium!?! I'm sure they could contract with a company like Solar City to lease the panels and reduce the up-front costs if they needed to. Doing so would provide shade for their consumers' cars, clean power for the valley and potential savings for the mall's power bill! My X and I had Solar City install panels at our home here in Tempe and it was a fantastic arrangement! It drastically reduced our APS bill- and we just paid $45 a month to Solar City- who monitored our system and took care of the panels for us!

[Arquitect]

Originally Posted by MegaBass

I was looking at ASU CFO site and noticed they listed a few solar shade pavilions on Cady Mall, Orange Mall and Gammage Parkway that look to be breaking ground next Fall. I guess that means that Pringles shade structure by the MU days are numbered unless its being relocated elsewhere or cooperated into the plan. Along with some solar structures over the smaller parking lots.

Solar Installation site on the Tempe Campus

This is pretty cool. Although, i guarantee you that the shade structures in front of the MU are not coming down.

[cygnusloop99]

Hello, long time lurker first time poster! I wanted to add some notes on a few recent subjects.
Re: The Mad Cap Theaters - this might be old news but i have not seen it on here any. I found a project profile on a architect website for a new low rise hotel in Tempe and it was on the theatre portion of Center Point. Not sure if this is new or simply something the developer investigated at one point before the recession.
Here is a link - http://www.nelsenpartners.com/portfolio-renaissance-clubsport

I also saw someone make a comment about why more commercial properties don't utilize solar technology in large scale. As someone who works on the architecture and design end of development, I once worked on a large solar installation in the industrial are near the Durango curve. The owner wanted to cover his large warehouse building with solar panels but was denied credits and buy back from APS unless he would reduce the scale of his installation. We did about a third of his roof and at the time it was the largest private solar installation in AZ. To sum it up, fear of competition from the power companies and lack of regulation to promote such installations make it difficult and not profitable to developers to do similar installations like the ASU lot 59 parasol.

[Jjs5056]

It sounds like the Madcap will likely become an AMC, so yes, this proposal is from the boom when DMB was looking to tear down most of Centerpoint and replace it with a hotel and condos. I hadn't ever seen the hotel design, though, and love it. I have always thought that was the perfect spot for a hotel, and a health club available to the public would be a fantastic addition. Retail will always struggle just a bit since that area is the most inward facing plaza in downtown Tempe so several of the spots are almost hidden. Having high rise residential (W6) and mid rise hotel so close would eradicate any issues with visibility.

The height is great, too. The more 10+ buildings around W6, the better. It also looks a bit more upscale, and I really do want to see this area house more than students and seniors, even if it's temporary hotel guests. It's interesting that Whole Foods is coming... Fry's would probably be a better match to the existing demographics and there haven't been many proposals that imply an impending shift.

Having the theatre back will be a great asset, but too bad we can't have both.

[MegaBass]

Check out the last two slides of College Avenue Streetscape for restaurant at Art Annex Site and the retail building. ASU PTS Food Truck Block Party definitely could use that Food Truck Row at the moment.

[Phxguy]

Haven't been on in a while but here I am with one major development for Tempe, Phoenix, and Mesa. Found here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/04/01/tempe-lake-transit-opportunity/ And retail to found in the City Hall parking garage by the Marriott here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/03/22/yoga-people-tempe/.

[savphili]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Portillo's! If only it had oppened 5 years ago I could have shown my college friends the beuty of beef Sandwiches dunked in Ajus.

I just had Portillo's for the first time ever in Scottsdale today. I asked my buddy (from Chicago) what I should order and I ended up getting a Combo (dog?) "Hot & Wet" it was delicious! Can't wait to try other things there, especially when the Tempe location opens up.

Originally Posted by cygnusloop99

Hello, long time lurker first time poster! I wanted to add some notes on a few recent subjects.
Re: The Mad Cap Theaters - this might be old news but i have not seen it on here any. I found a project profile on a architect website for a new low rise hotel in Tempe and it was on the theatre portion of Center Point. Not sure if this is new or simply something the developer investigated at one point before the recession.
Here is a link - http://www.nelsenpartners.com/portfolio-renaissance-clubsport

I also saw someone make a comment about why more commercial properties don't utilize solar technology in large scale. As someone who works on the architecture and design end of development, I once worked on a large solar installation in the industrial are near the Durango curve. The owner wanted to cover his large warehouse building with solar panels but was denied credits and buy back from APS unless he would reduce the scale of his installation. We did about a third of his roof and at the time it was the largest private solar installation in AZ. To sum it up, fear of competition from the power companies and lack of regulation to promote such installations make it difficult and not profitable to developers to do similar installations like the ASU lot 59 parasol.

Welcome sir! Little bit of advice, be careful what you say here. People are vicious.

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Haven't been on in a while but here I am with one major development for Tempe, Phoenix, and Mesa. Found here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/04/01/tempe-lake-transit-opportunity/ And retail to found in the City Hall parking garage by the Marriott here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/03/22/yoga-people-tempe/.

This idea is insane. If the lake is extended west of the 143 past all the commercial area into south Phoenix, lakefront property there will be an interesting concept.

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by MegaBass

Check out the last two slides of College Avenue Streetscape for restaurant at Art Annex Site and the retail building. ASU PTS Food Truck Block Party definitely could use that Food Truck Row at the moment.

The retail building is new construction, correct? Is it temporary until future phases of Block 12 come to fruition? Is the building 1 story and will it be construction in tandem with College Commons?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Phxguy

Haven't been on in a while but here I am with one major development for Tempe, Phoenix, and Mesa. Found here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/04/01/tempe-lake-transit-opportunity/ And retail to found in the City Hall parking garage by the Marriott here http://raillife.com/blog/2013/03/22/yoga-people-tempe/.

Note the date of the first blog post (the one about the lake). I think Nick was having fun with his readers and testing their gullibility.

[Phxguy]

Well shucks...first time posting in months with a desire to post something MAJOR and get played. Hopefully not, I really liked the concept.