Tempe Development Thread

[Freeway]

I would say it should be torn down, but I know if it was it would just be left as a vacant lot for two or three decades. It's an eyesore. Most visitors I bring to Tempe don't even notice the mill, or if they do, they say very little about it. It's not some prominent landmark that draws in tourists. It's an old abandoned mill that's just there. People don't go to Mill Avenue to see the mill. Mill just happens to be the hub of the Valley's pedestrian activity. It holds importance to a very small minority of people here, especially those who want to hold angry protests every time a building built before 1965 runs the risk of being torn down. If there were tours given or the actual structure was repurposed into something interesting, okay. But to just leave it standing just for nostalgia purposes is ridiculous. I'm sure the people who constructed the mill never intended for it to stand long past its useful life.

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by Obadno

"it doesn't count unless literally everyone says they dont like it"

just 1 person saying something is memorable, more than how many dont say anything, Ive heard both residents and visitors make a mention of the Mill because it is ugly.

Why do some of you get so hostile when the average layman says an ugly building is ugly. You must be great at parties.

Its because comments like nuke it and destroy it are a bit extreme for a building one may not like. As for parties, I am great at parties. Never seen you at one. You must be trolling comments to others as a slap in your face, victim. Your turn.

[MegaBass]

h/t ABC 15 Arizona

ASU is in the second major phase of its $256-million stadium renovation, working since November after the final 2015 home game to tear down and now reconstruct the west side and to begin construction of a new building that will house football and other athletic facilities at the north end. The first major phase was for infrastructure work and rebuilding the south end zone. The east side and finishing the north end zone is next after the 2016 season.

Completion of the second phase could be up to a week after the originally scheduled Aug. 15. That would still be almost two weeks before the season opener against Northern Arizona on Sept. 3.

Amenities coming this fall include seats with backs and more leg room in the lower bowl, new premium seating on the west side, restroom and concession improvements, construction of a new student section in addition to the student-athlete building on the north end. A 100-x-50-foot video board will be in place in the north end zone for the 2017 season after Phase 3, when stadium capacity will end around 56,000.

A patio area, concessions and restrooms on the roof of the student-athlete facility will be open for spectators this season.

"It's going to be great space for a lot of activity and some great views in and out of the stadium," Anderson said.

What fans won't see is the technological work being done to future-proof the new Sun Devil Stadium, replacing a version first built in 1958. ASU intends for the stadium to be more multi-use in the future, appointing Colleen Jennings-Roggensack to program and manage non-football events.

(Arizona Republic)

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by mdpx

Its because comments like nuke it and destroy it are a bit extreme for a building one may not like. As for parties, I am great at parties. Never seen you at one. You must be trolling comments to others as a slap in your face, victim. Your turn.

Lol you need to relax, the Mill is ugly, and like the circles records buildings its reaching the point where we need to weigh if its worth keeping it or not.

If they cant get a renovation off the ground we should clear it and move on.

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by Obadno

Lol you need to relax, the Mill is ugly, and like the circles records buildings its reaching the point where we need to weigh if its worth keeping it or not.

If they cant get a renovation off the ground we should clear it and move on.

I'm aware the Mill is ugly to you. Seems what you can't picture immediately you see no value in. Clear it out, tear it down is your answer to everything you personally don't find appealing. That sentiment is why we have so few historic buildings in this city. Something like the Mill is worth preserving as part of a new development for future generations.

[azsunsurfer]

The Mill brings more character to Mill than some glass box that looks like it can belong anywhere...

[mdpx]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

The Mill brings more character to Mill than some glass box that looks like it can belong anywhere...

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by PHX31

I like it. Granted, I like it after a day of drinking and watching ASU football. The mixed plate is good for that purpose. Plus I like getting a quick beer there from the beer tubs before or at halftime of a game. I'll miss the place.

Me too. The food is good, especially with those Korean banchan side dishes. It's the service that's pretty bad. Plus, they have a patio with great potential that they never use.

[exit2lef]

This is a good example what can be done with an old Mill:

http://www.millcitymuseum.org/

[dtnphx]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

This is a good example what can be done with an old Mill:

http://www.millcitymuseum.org/

Whoa, that's amazing.

[MegaBass]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

This is a good example what can be done with an old Mill:

http://www.millcitymuseum.org/

Now that's cool. Too bad Tempe History Museum was renovated in 2010 and doubt Arizona Historical Society would get involved. It would be neat if Hayden Flour Mills of Queen Creek has a shop or something. Let's not also forget since One Hundred Mill has dragged that Monti's La Casa Vieja (Hayden's House) has remained dormant and that both sites were instrumental to the founding of the city.

[azsunsurfer]

Eastline Village was pulled from this month's DRC meeting :/

[muertecaza]

One Hundred Mill still dragging along. Article indicates they still haven't finalized financing, but do appear to have an agree with a restaurant, and hope to break ground this summer.

http://azbigmedia.com/azre-magazine/...he-groundfloor

A short light rail ride from the Luhrs building to Tempe will bring you to another ground-floor groundbreaker.

Earlier in the year, Douglas Wilson Companies discussed plans for One | Hundred | Mill, in which a first-floor 10,000 square-foot layout resembles a Grand Central Station feel — a first floor packed with amenities for both travelers and residents.

“You can’t beat Grand Central, but for the size of Tempe, and the vast space surrounding it alongside the Tempe beach park, it’s going to be a great area for people to grab a coffee, get a haircut, or get their bike fixed,” explains Douglas Wilson Companies COO Nicholas Wilson.

Similar to Luhrs, One | Hundred | Mill has the historical appeal and design elements that tenants and patrons are looking for.

“There is a sort of craft culture,” Wilson says, “that seeks a vintage, yet accessible theme to be part of their community. There’s a lot of pride to be part of that.”

Although One | Hundred | Mill is navigating through the planning stages, the intent to include first-floor amenities and retail is still at the forefront. Wilson is currently seeking a co-anchor for the lobby space, considering a concept similar to James Coffee Company in San Diego (which includes a barber shop, bicycle shop, eyeglass store and boutique marketplace).

“We are finalizing the financing of the project,” Wilson says. “That would have us breaking ground this summer. We have a lot of things brewing, including an announcement pertaining to a local restaurant operator that we’re thrilled to work with.”

What can we learn from the framework of these mixed-use, ground-floor fixtures? That office tenants, urbanites and consumers want and are ready for more.

“They want to be able to go downstairs and grab a coffee and different kinds of food, then later be able to get a glass of wine or beer,” Wilson says. “It’s not only what the city demographic seeks; it’s also what we’ll need to retain our top producers.”

[muertecaza]

DRC Packet for the "Foundry" (the one with the Whole Foods):

https://www.tempe.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=41350

No renderings, but an interesting read if interested. Personally my takeaway is that I really they had made an effort to preserve the historically significant Tempe Cotton Exchange seed house that formerly occupied the site that was knocked down in the '90s.

[dtnphx]

Linkee no workee

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by dtnphx

Linkee no workee

Weird, it was definitely working before. Must have taken it down for some reason.

[azsunsurfer]

The Link doesn't work.

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

The Link doesn't work.

Edited, and the link now has full renderings.

Also, the DRC packet for the "Standard" (the one on 7th St.) is up:

https://www.tempe.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=41352

Looking at the Standard packet, they decidedly avoid using the words "student housing," but it's hard to escape the conclusion that that's who they're shooting for. Half of the units are 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms.

[azsunsurfer]

So the entire block (meaning the other two phases IF they happen...)will all be student housing? I thought the building on Mill would be a hotel over retail?

[muertecaza]

Originally Posted by azsunsurfer

So the entire block (meaning the other two phases IF they happen...)will all be student housing? I thought the building on Mill would be a hotel over retail?

My understanding is that there are no current plans to develop the other two parcels. When the entire parcel (from Mill to Myrtle) went into foreclosure in the Recession, it was split up. This developer owns the middle portion, and someone else owns the portions fronting Mill and Myrtle. They apparently tried to come to an agreement to develop the whole thing, but couldn't get a deal done. So the developer is attempting to move forward with the middle portion.