Tempe Development Thread

[bwonger06]

It might just be never passing by the Hayden Ferry Project anymore, but it seems like they might be starting on the third tower soon. There is a lot of digging going on and it seems like they are doing underground garage.

[sundevilgrad]

Originally Posted by bwonger06

It might just be never passing by the Hayden Ferry Project anymore, but it seems like they might be starting on the third tower soon. There is a lot of digging going on and it seems like they are doing underground garage.

I've noticed that too. Originally, I thought they were cleaning up from the latest tower, but it looks like site prep type of work...

[desertdj]

Plans for $9M Town Lake boathouse in works
Katie Nelson
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 14, 2007 12:21 PM

Details are trickling out about Tempe's plans for a Town Lake boathouse, the final community facility to be built on the manmade, tax-financed lakeshore.

The $9 million athletics and activity center would go on the northern side of the lake, tucked into a high-visibility 13-acre site adjacent to the bustle of Loop 202 and across the water from Sun Devil Stadium.

As of now, drawings by city architect Mark Vinson show a three-story building near the existing marina. Tentative plans include space for boat storage, workout facilities, locker rooms, showers, public meeting space, catering and kitchen areas, as well as Tempe's lake, Parks and Recreation Department and park ranger offices. The plans call for plentiful deck space, panoramic views and enough high-quality features and finishes that the building could be rented out for fancy events such as weddings.


Tempe opened the Town Lake marina in 2004, creating a watery recreation area on the 8-year-old lake for boaters and anglers.

Rowing, in particular, has "taken off and become more popular than we ever predicted," according to Neil Calfee, Tempe's deputy community development manager.

"It's not a sport you necessarily think of in Arizona, so it's funny in some respects," he said. "But the interest and the teams that have been created - and it's not just the rowing, but even dragon boats and sailing - really illustrates the power and allure of recreational water."

Plans for the public boathouse are intended to foster that already-established community space by creating a home for local boating clubs and a venue for public and private gatherings.

Chanen Construction has signed on to shoulder a portion of the boathouse's building cost and to partner with the Rio Salado Foundation to spearhead further fundraising efforts. The Phoenix company will likely get use and internal naming rights in exchange. But the boathouse would be a city-owned facility that anyone could use for athletics, events and meetings.

Like the marina and the nearby riparian preserves, the boathouse will be built to withstand future flooding. The first floor will have louvers that allow water to flow through.

City officials say the opening date will depend on how fast the money can be raised.

Design plans could also change over time: A smoothie bar or restaurant could eventually operate inside the boathouse, and other recreational activities could be added.

[andrewkfromaz]

Awesome finishing touch on the Town Lake, which has proven to be such an incredible amenity to Tempe. Great news.

[desertdj]

This one is funny. I like Frank Kush's quote. I know nothing is official until construction actually gets started, but I just see this project really happening. Of course thats what they want us to think with all the hype too lol! And a coment on that other article I posted, I been waiting for that one to be built too, I think that is perfect for that site.

More official support for Monti's development
Katie Nelson
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 14, 2007 01:38 PM

Tempe's Development Review Commission waved through the Monti's La Casa Vieja high rises during a marathon meeting Tuesday night, leaving the City Council as the last remaining hurdle for the controversial project.

The developer agreed to chop five feet off one of the buildings, putting the structures at 320 and 300 feet tall, and won approval without making any other concessions.

Even so, developer Tony Wall's intentions to place two high rises on the site of one of the Valley's oldest adobe buildings have garnered attention. The Monti's steak restaurant - itself a long-time local favorite - sits inside the Hayden house, which was built by Tempe's Anglo founder, Charles Trumbull Hayden.

Initially, Phoenix Sky Harbor and US Airways officials complained about the proposed high rise height. They said it would conflict with existing "one-engine inoperative" emergency take-off procedures and changes to those emergency plans would be detrimental because higher buildings would mean airplanes would have to take off at steeper angles, requiring lighter loads in the form of passengers or cargo.

More recently, the project was sent back to the drawing board by Tempe's Historic Preservation Commission. The group demanded changes because they were displeased with how the first design covered up much of the Hayden House. The development team returned with a new version that put the high rise just south of what will remain of the Monti's building, earning the preservation commission's blessing.

At Tuesday's meeting, the arguments over if and how the "One Hundred Mill Avenue" project should be built remained feisty. Half a dozen residents aired their thoughts, while the commission peppered city staff and the development team's attorney, Paul Gilbert, with questions.

US Airways, whose world headquarters is next door to the site, was among the complainers. The airline has dropped the one-engine inoperative argument, but still has concerns according to lobbyist John MacDonald. He told the commission that airline leaders believe the density, height and overall scale of the development is presumptuous and out of proportion.

"It is massive and will completely dominate other structures, manmade or otherwise, in that neighborhood," he said.

He also pointed out that the development plan includes using private drives owned by US Airways, even though the developer doesn't have permission to do so.

During past hearings, the Monti's development team has trotted out former Tempe Mayor Rudy Campbell, historian Marshall Trimble and Hayden descendent Carl Hayden as proponents of the project. This time, the special appearance came in the form of a letter from former ASU football coach and long-time Tempe resident Frank Kush, complete with lots of football analogies.

"I think the whole proposal is a touchdown . . . " Kush wrote.

Ultimately, the Development Review Commission agreed, voting 5 to1 to give their formal support.

The project will go to the City Council in the coming months, where the city staff will likely continue to argue that the height should come down.

City planners believe the Monti's high rise adjacent to Mill Avenue should be no higher than 225 feet so it follows the "pace" and "precedent" set by other buildings already on Mill Avenue, according to Chris Anaradian, development services manager.

[admdavid]

Opps...double post.

[shawneriksmith]

Originally Posted by desertdj

The developer agreed to chop five feet off one of the buildings, putting the structures at 320 and 300 feet tall, and won approval without making any other concessions.

Wow, 5 feet!! I'm glad they caught that one...

[wissundevil06]

I know the project and design are not new, but I don't know if the project's website has ever been posted. Found the video's on the website pretty neat.

http://constellationproperty.com/tempe

[Sonoran_Dweller]

AZ Republic article on Monti's Development
"The development team returned with a new version that put the high rise just south of what will remain of the Monti's building, earning the preservation commission's blessing."

So does this mean that the building will not hang over Monti's? Is it official or what? Because if it is that is GREAT GREAT news!!!!

[HX_Guy]

Yes, they announced that the two towers would be next to Monti's, but not on top of it, like the original plans.

[sundevilgrad]

Originally Posted by desertdj

US Airways, whose world headquarters is next door to the site, was among the complainers. The airline has dropped the one-engine inoperative argument, but still has concerns according to lobbyist John MacDonald. He told the commission that airline leaders believe the density, height and overall scale of the development is presumptuous and out of proportion.

This kind of implies that the whole "one-engine out" argument is bullsh*t... Does that mean that the FAA and the City of Phoenix have been jerking us around with this excuse and its really because of something else that they won't allow tall buildings?

Either that, or someone has a case of height envy...

[Phxbyrd211]

What I don't understand is if Tempe and DT Phoenix are several miles apart then how can they be prone to the same air hazard if all planes take off to the west and land to the east?

[tempedude]

Originally Posted by Phxbyrd211

What I don't understand is if Tempe and DT Phoenix are several miles apart then how can they be prone to the same air hazard if all planes take off to the west and land to the east?

They don't always follow that pattern. Since I can see the planes coming and going from my 3rd floor balcony here in Tempe; tonight they are approaching Sky Harbor for landing from the east, in the morning they will be reversed and taking off from the west heading east into the sunrise. That seems to be the regular routine, By midday tomorrow, the pattern will be reversed.

[dbUNIT16]

US Airways would be bitching! Their building looks like a midget compared to other towers being built in Tempe now! I understood when it was AWA, but now that it's a much larger airline... STEP UP YOUR GAME AND BUILD A TOWER!

[Phxbyrd211]

my hope out of this is that in a few years when it will be easier to unlatch themselves from Tempe, that a thriving USAW will want to move to Phoenix to anchor a 60 story tower.

[PhxSprawler]

Here are a few quick pics I took while rushing through Tempe.

What's left of the barber and Long Wong's - soon to be a CVS. Centerpoint II is peaking out to the right.


Road construction on Mill/University. Centerpoint I peaking above the Chase building and the crane above Centerpoint II behind bldg I.


Centerpoint I and II from the east.


Closer view of building II.


5th and Mill- Preserving the facade

[Phxbyrd211]

what used to be at 5th and Mill?

[plinko]

^Cold Stone Creamery IIRC

[ciweiss]

All,

I have been having fun lurkin for a while here and wanted to join in the fun. I moved to dt tempe about 6 mos ago and have loved watching the development going on. I drove by the US Air site this afternoon to see everything cleared out. They appear to be going to town big time. I've inclosed some pics. Notice the wires are also up on the light rail. This is going to be a really cool area. I am new so if they do not come through I will have to try again.

[andrewkfromaz]

Thanks for the pictures, and welcome!