Tempe is accepting submissions for proposals to redevelop the area east of the historic Hackett House and Tempe Bakery, potentially bringing about more affordable housing, an event space and a hotel to the city-owned property.
First issued in June, the city’s request for proposals is ongoing until Aug. 24, according to a city report. At a July 10 meeting, Tempe’s Historic Preservation Commission received a presentation on the request to redevelop the roughly 0.34 acres of city land at 401-405 South Maple Avenue.
“The site slated for redevelopment currently includes event space used by Tempe Sister Cities and a public parking lot,” the report stated.
However, historic properties nearby are to remain and will continue to house Tempe Sister Cities operations.
Additionally, the city encourages proposals to “match the design elements of the adjacent historic structures” on the first floor. The floors above should have more modern design elements and materials.
Portions of this project area are zoned as historic. Because of that, the commission requires a review of and input on whichever proposal is ultimately chosen, according to the report.
Historic Preservation Officer Zachary Lechner gave an overview of the request for proposals during the July 10 meeting per the commission’s request. As he explained, the city issued this request in part because of Tempe Sister Cities, as the group wishes to expand its event space.
Tempe Sister Cities has used an outdoor space with a removable tent to host events but wants something more expansive, indoors and more permanent.
Lechner assured the commission there would be no changes, alterations, demolition or any impact on historic structures near the project site once the city has chosen its proposal.
He also clarified that the commission will be able to weigh in on the redevelopment when the proposal has been selected, given part of the property falls into an area designated as historic.
“Obviously the RFP is much longer, but this is really the part that is of most interest to the commission,” Lechner said.
Lechner also went over the city’s objective with this redevelopment, noting it would like to see some affordable housing at the site and potentially a mixed-use high-rise project that has residential or a boutique hotel.
The city is interested in about 3,500 square feet of event space that can be used by Tempe Sister Cities.
“Just wanted to reiterate that this is not the last time you will hear of this project,” Lechner said. “It will come back through the commission potentially for a certificate of appropriateness, perhaps other informational or action items as well.
In the discussion with the commission, Lechner clarified some commissioners’ concerns, including the potential for the project to demolish historic parts of the property even with the city’s conditions, the height of the project and the design interfering with the historic properties.
The commission expressed some frustration with not seeing the request before it was issued and some language used in the request that makes it so submissions could exclude features such affordable housing.
As the city is still accepting proposals, a lot of the commission’s work is yet to come, but Lechner said the commission will have a chance to work through concerns once a developer has been chosen and there is a design to consider.
“I’ll ask them to come before the commission, and we’ll get that on the agenda as soon as we can, but that will probably be some time later in the year,” he said.
Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Caroline Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.
Community: She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French.
Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years.
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