Tempe Development Thread

[ciweiss]

Interesting discussion on Rio Salado, Ash and 1st St. Study

http://www.tempe.gov/city-hall/public-works/transportation/1st-st-ash-rio-salado-design-concepts

[muertecaza]

Per city commission agendas, 100 Mill developer is asking for a 1-year extension on its entitlements, which expire in May. Sounds like they have had trouble getting financing. They represent that they intend to start building "first or second quarter of 2018," but seems doubtful at this point.

[RichTempe]

The 2 tower cranes by night for the 7th Street Mixed-Use project.

This is looking west from 7th St & College. The top of W6 is in the lower right.

[somethingfast]

Originally Posted by airomero83

Although more jobs coming to Tempe and overall great news, sucks it comes at the expense of jobs in downtown Phoenix and the location of new campus being outside of downtown Tempe.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/...e-building-big-new-campus-landing-4.html

Phoenix needs to get dynamic/creative if they don't want to continue losing jobs to Tempe. Phoenix should consider incorporating a water element or seriously increased shading elements. Or even a Riverwalk type of thing. Tempe has all the cache right now and it started with Town Lake. So f--- Phoenix if they aren't willing to create a reason for DT development. A skytower...something. Bring people downtown inogranically. There has to be a draw. I don't see any real hi-rises in DT Phoenix for some time unless they manufacture a pull to it. Phoenix's loss is Tempe's gain and it will continue. I work for a major financial services firm in Tempe (Grand Papago area) and they are expanding in Tempe bc of its overall mix of location, ASU, and simple "cool" factor. Phoenix needs to get its act together.

[ASUSunDevil]

Originally Posted by somethingfast

Phoenix needs to get dynamic/creative if they don't want to continue losing jobs to Tempe. Phoenix should consider incorporating a water element or seriously increased shading elements. Or even a Riverwalk type of thing. Tempe has all the cache right now and it started with Town Lake. So f--- Phoenix if they aren't willing to create a reason for DT development. A skytower...something. Bring people downtown inogranically. There has to be a draw. I don't see any real hi-rises in DT Phoenix for some time unless they manufacture a pull to it. Phoenix's loss is Tempe's gain and it will continue. I work for a major financial services firm in Tempe (Grand Papago area) and they are expanding in Tempe bc of its overall mix of location, ASU, and simple "cool" factor. Phoenix needs to get its act together.

Completely agree. Tempe is evolving with the younger generation and Phoenix has it's feet stuck in the mud. Downtown really needed The Pin to get built IMO - it would have been a huge attraction year round and much better looking than people assumed. Although Downtown has improved by leaps & bounds in the last decade, it should be twice as dense by now.

Portland on the Park is the best residential development since 44 Monroe and it's not even technically Downtown. I'm happy with all that has happened, but Downtown Phoenix is still underachieving in the office and residential department.

[alexico]

Originally Posted by ASUSunDevil

Completely agree. Tempe is evolving with the younger generation and Phoenix has it's feet stuck in the mud. Downtown really needed The Pin to get built IMO - it would have been a huge attraction year round and much better looking than people assumed. Although Downtown has improved by leaps & bounds in the last decade, it should be twice as dense by now.

Portland on the Park is the best residential development since 44 Monroe and it's not even technically Downtown. I'm happy with all that has happened, but Downtown Phoenix is still underachieving in the office and residential department.

I live in the biltmore now (at optima biltmore towers) and im on the edge in 1-2 years to move back to downtown tempe. im 33 too.

the gym and the whole foods there. tempe is such a fun/chill vibe.

i lived in downtown tempe 12-2014 at (west 6 condos) tempe always feels alive. the campus, the football games, the festivals, the bars on mill ave, close to the airport, the walking path by the river etc -

[muertecaza]

Article about Greek village at Rural/Terrace:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/asus...age-opposed-by-some-fraternities-9228750

Some of the complaints are kind of funny, as they include both:

...the project wasn't affordable...

and:

...lack of upscale amenities students wanted...

But there is a fly-through rendering video at the end:

https://vimeo.com/205456686

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by muertecaza

Article about Greek village at Rural/Terrace:

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/asus...age-opposed-by-some-fraternities-9228750

Some of the complaints are kind of funny, as they include both:



and:



But there is a fly-through rendering video at the end:

https://vimeo.com/205456686

I was in Greek living at asu not very long ago and the reason the guys don't like this has nothing to do with amenities. It's because they want to still have some level of autonomy

Even if it's faux autonomy they still want to have the perception that they have their own "house". This is too much of a dorm which is why they won't sign on.

About 6 years ago now when they first floated the idea of a village concept thy pointed to things like the university of brittish Columbia housing which did a good job of simulating independent "fraternity housing".

Te other issue asu and fraternities have a very combative relationship so I wouldn't expect them to cooperate much at all on anything. Rightly or wrongly as that may be.

[Jjs5056]

I don't see how Tempe has an advantage over downtown Phx when it comes to livability. The only residential towers in sight will be student housing - both M7 and 707 Forrest - which has left little to do beyond eating/drinking. There is no art scene to speak of, the nightlife maxes out at about 25, and even dining options are few. There is so shopping and likely will never be, and the surrounding streets are essentially desolate.

I totally agree that Tempe has slaughtered Phx when it comes to employment and that the Lake was an incredible investment. It's absolutely true that DT PHX's geography is a major obstacle compared to peer cities which have mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. as focal points. DT PHX needs a Camelback, Papago Butte, etc. Too bad the canals weren't more centrally located ... I think an observation tower at the center of the Convention Center would be a great draw, but it wouldn't compare to a natural landscape. Had the Warehouse District not been destroyed, a High-Line-esque path along the south side of the UPRR connecting Chase to a refurbed Union Station might have attracted some decent architecture, which is really the only thing that can give DT its own look.

Back to Tempe-- there is no need for a streetcar anywhere in the city. Nothing east of McClintock has been built with transit in mind and the idea that anyone would walk across the massive TMP parking lot, shop, then lug bags back over to the streetcar when parking is infinite is crazy. Connecting the Cubs does little as the season is so short, and Marina Heights/HFL employees can easily take LRT to work as is. Planning for LRT extensions along Scottsdale Rd and Priest Rd (to Fountainhead) with BRT in the meantime seems like the only realistic addition.

[somethingfast]

Originally Posted by Jjs5056

I don't see how Tempe has an advantage over downtown Phx when it comes to livability. The only residential towers in sight will be student housing - both M7 and 707 Forrest - which has left little to do beyond eating/drinking. There is no art scene to speak of, the nightlife maxes out at about 25, and even dining options are few. There is so shopping and likely will never be, and the surrounding streets are essentially desolate.

I totally agree that Tempe has slaughtered Phx when it comes to employment and that the Lake was an incredible investment. It's absolutely true that DT PHX's geography is a major obstacle compared to peer cities which have mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. as focal points. DT PHX needs a Camelback, Papago Butte, etc. Too bad the canals weren't more centrally located ... I think an observation tower at the center of the Convention Center would be a great draw, but it wouldn't compare to a natural landscape. Had the Warehouse District not been destroyed, a High-Line-esque path along the south side of the UPRR connecting Chase to a refurbed Union Station might have attracted some decent architecture, which is really the only thing that can give DT its own look.

Back to Tempe-- there is no need for a streetcar anywhere in the city. Nothing east of McClintock has been built with transit in mind and the idea that anyone would walk across the massive TMP parking lot, shop, then lug bags back over to the streetcar when parking is infinite is crazy. Connecting the Cubs does little as the season is so short, and Marina Heights/HFL employees can easily take LRT to work as is. Planning for LRT extensions along Scottsdale Rd and Priest Rd (to Fountainhead) with BRT in the meantime seems like the only realistic addition.

I don't disagree with you in general but I will say that Tempe has what you just mentioned is lacking in DT Phoenix: natural focal points (sort of)...the Buttes and the lake. Those are huge focal points and the proof is in the pudding as they say. I just firmly believe that DT Phoenix is going to have to manufacture some attraction (San Antonio) to keep momentum and compete with Tempe. There will be plenty of non-student residential soon as huge employment centers are emerging. My company plans on having 2,500 people at Grand Papago in 2 years. That's just one instance. DT Phoenix MUST show some true vision and invest in some non-commerce attraction on a grand scale (shaded canals, and underground riverwalk, observation tower...something).

[Jjs5056]

Originally Posted by somethingfast

I don't disagree with you in general but I will say that Tempe has what you just mentioned is lacking in DT Phoenix: natural focal points (sort of)...the Buttes and the lake. Those are huge focal points and the proof is in the pudding as they say. I just firmly believe that DT Phoenix is going to have to manufacture some attraction (San Antonio) to keep momentum and compete with Tempe. There will be plenty of non-student residential soon as huge employment centers are emerging. My company plans on having 2,500 people at Grand Papago in 2 years. That's just one instance. DT Phoenix MUST show some true vision and invest in some non-commerce attraction on a grand scale (shaded canals, and underground riverwalk, observation tower...something).

Yes, Tempe's physical footprint can't be beaten. It's beautiful and offers tons of recreation... but, it just does not offer what I would consider a true urban lifestyle for someone 30+. The employers/demand is already there for downtown residential aimed at older demos, but the City has flat out ensured that the core of DT will be filled with student housing and thus, student-oriented commercial. They blocked a 13-story residential tower on Farmer and are even considering single-family downzoning for that area, which is some of the only land in DT left. All of the 7th St towers are owned or managed by student housing groups, and the only market rate project even in the works seems like a no-go (the 5 stories of apts on top of Whole Foods).

DT PHX just offers more housing options, dinner options, nightlife options, culture options, etc. Maybe if Centerpoint (the original buildings) and/or Hayden Square are redeveloped one day with condos and floor plans large enough to hold real retail...

At one point, the land next to TCA was slated for an artist village with several non-profits and well-known artists on board for the commercial component. That, with Mill+Rio, Hayden Flour Mill, the real Centerpoint, USA Place, and the original M7 and 7S would have given a great mix for a huge range of ages. But, they pulled that RFP, launched TMP, and squashed density off of Mill... and I don't see it ever comparing to DT PHX due to that. Doesn't take away from its assets, but I guess I can't see anyone choosing to live there permanently over one of the newer Phoenix properties is all.

[Jjs5056]

I also don't know that a non-geographical attraction will do much for Phoenix. Mountains and lakes give identity, views, and recreation... an observation tower does none of the above. The views will have to come from the distant mountains and from unique architecture in future highrises... and recreation will need to come from maximizing parks like Hance, building the best bike network possible, and adding as much shade as possible.

It's too bad there weren't additional blocks bordering Hance that could be designed similarly to Portland. Unfortunately, Hance is just too small and surrounded by SF districts on one side. And, the other street with linear parkways - Moreland - was destroyed for Hance's creation. A park the size of Indian Steele with blocks as beautiful as Portland around it would spark development, for sure.

[ASUSunDevil]

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/dema...a-state-universitys-tempe-campus-9254237

[alexico]

Originally Posted by somethingfast

Phoenix needs to get dynamic/creative if they don't want to continue losing jobs to Tempe. Phoenix should consider incorporating a water element or seriously increased shading elements. Or even a Riverwalk type of thing. Tempe has all the cache right now and it started with Town Lake. So f--- Phoenix if they aren't willing to create a reason for DT development. A skytower...something. Bring people downtown inogranically. There has to be a draw. I don't see any real hi-rises in DT Phoenix for some time unless they manufacture a pull to it. Phoenix's loss is Tempe's gain and it will continue. I work for a major financial services firm in Tempe (Grand Papago area) and they are expanding in Tempe bc of its overall mix of location, ASU, and simple "cool" factor. Phoenix needs to get its act together.

there was an interesting article this week in the wsj how cities need to always to work on their "image" does phoenix even really have one?

[azsunsurfer]

The site for the Skyline Tower is now fenced. I thought this hasn't even passed City Council yet? Pulling the cart before the horse?

Also the New Times article that was posted mentioned the whole foods project was delayed in permitting.

[azsunsurfer]

The office buildings poised to rise along the 202 near TMP look decent. I wish they were taller as originally alluded to by the developer (originally 8 stories) but at least the north side of the site will be dense with the multi-family project too.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

The site for the Skyline Tower is now fenced. I thought this hasn't even passed City Council yet? Pulling the cart before the horse?

Also the New Times article that was posted mentioned the whole foods project was delayed in permitting.

The Skyview project actually passed City Council back in January. Hopefully this means it will move forward? I watched some of the presentation on that one, and it did seem like the amount of investment they had made in the development would make it a big waste if they didn't follow through.

Good catch on the late edit in the New Times article. I was wondering about that, as the Whole Foods project showed up months ago as in review for a building permit, but nothing had happened.

"The Whole Foods project, by Alberta Development, is in review for structural phased foundation permits only. We are currently at 3rd review from revisions provided to Building Safety. They have been taking a little longer than expected, but they have suggested to break ground late Spring. Their initial plans were the beginning of the year.

[muertecaza]

7th/Forest DRC Packet is available.

https://www.tempe.gov/home/showdocument?id=50066









Not one I'm necessarily holding my breath on, but I love the proposal. Ground floor commercial on both 7th and Forest looks good. I really like the treatment of the parking podium. And although the packet isn't exactly clear, it looks like they might be planning it for for-sale units? Which would be

[CrestedSaguaro]

That's a good looking building. I hope it gets built

[azsunsurfer]

What's nice is from the project summary it looks like it won't be a strictly student housing development per se....but there are a lot of studios...W6 II?