Downtown Tempe looks upward

As new developments are built around downtown Tempe and along Town Lake, get ready for more density and more high-rise buildings.

The Tempe City Council was given an update on planned development downtown and along the lake during its committee meeting last week.

"Our Tempe imagined future is here," said Chris Salomone, Tempe deputy development services manager. "We're in the driver's seat. The developers are coming to us."

Neil Calfee, Tempe redevelopment manager, told the committee that downtown Tempe has become a model for successful redevelopment. He said the market is changing rapidly to cater to a new economy that focuses on things like education, recreation and knowledge jobs. And he said Tempe is prepared to fit that market.

"We have the lake working with Papago Park and the butte to attract residential," he said. "ASU is helping to drive the new economy."

He said light rail will connect the lake, downtown and ASU. And he predicted it would push College Avenue, where the city's transit center will be built, to further develop.

Along College Avenue, the multi-use Block 12 project at Sixth Street is now planned to be 20 stories instead of 12 stories tall. The project planned for the old armory on the eastern side of College Avenue near Fifth Street will be 12 stories tall with condos, residential and retail.

Along Mill Avenue near Sixth Street, Centerpoint Residential will break ground early next year on the first of four 20-story residential towers. A project being considered east of City Hall is expected to be 24 stories.

"There will be incredibly large buildings and incredible density," Calfee said.

Rio Salado manager Chris Anaradian said the committee should consider providing more park rangers as more residential projects are built along Town Lake. He also said the city needs to do more to make sure the lake is maintained and consider the impact of events on lakeside residents.

The committee gave staff direction to move forward with several projects. A revenue generation study will be conducted to investigate ways to raise more money off the lake, including possibly raising boat permit fees, raising boat storage fees and adding docks.

A request for proposals will be put out soon to develop some type of recreation on the southwestern edge of the lake. Preliminary proposals included a white-water park.

The committee also gave staff direction to move forward with a relocation plan for city facilities along Town Lake.

Alia Beard Rau
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 13, 2004 12:00 AM