Danelle Plaza’s mid-century modern architecture may date the property, however its long-standing and thriving arts scene has kept it current with the Tempe community today and hopefully beyond its expected redevelopment.
With a new life for the property expected to come as the city progresses in its revitalization efforts, Tempe’s Danelle Plaza has been a haven for local businesses and residents alike since its opening in 1963.
Danelle Plaza, located at 3400 S. Mill Ave., was an “innovative” development concept at its opening, as explained by a city release. Retailers purchased from the development’s 52 parcels, like in residential condominiums, with each owner maintaining a share of the common area in the center of the complex.
A number of big-name and local businesses have opened in the plaza over the last 60 years, including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Food Mart and most notably the Yucca Tap Room, which still resides in the plaza today. The plaza has been a home for many small businesses throughout its lifetime and continues to be a space for local business owners.
Additionally, Danelle Plaza was also home to one of the country’s first skate parks, Skate in the Shade, which has since been closed but was a pillar in early skate culture.
It wasn’t until 2011, though, that the city of Tempe began purchasing property at Danelle Plaza with the intent to redevelop the site. Finally, in September 2022, the city awarded Guina Affiliated Development and Desert Viking – Danelle Plaza LLC with the opportunity to revitalize the plaza for the city’s current needs, according to the release.
Most recently on Jan. 18, Tempe City Council approved the conveyance of its property to the development team for $2.75 million. No official plans have been created yet, as the process has just begun with the developers finalizing the development’s boundaries.
Commenting on the future of the plaza, Mayor Corey Woods has said that the city is working to bring the community’s vision for local art, live music, open space and affordable housing to fruition with this project.
“We value Danelle Plaza and want to make it stronger,” Woods stated. “We can make exceptional use of this land while still protecting the incredible culture that makes this corner so special.”
Creative community
Leading up to city council’s approval of the conveyance of the city’s property to the development team, many residents spoke out during the public hearings for the conveyance to express their hopes for the plaza’s coming revitalization.
While Yucca Tap Room remains as one of Danelle Plaza’s most notorious attractions, the site has been an important gathering space for the local arts scene, with the plaza having live music as part of its identity even when it first opened.
Tempe resident Rob Moore, coordinator of The Danelle Project, is invested in building greater awareness of the plaza’s cultural history through his work and hopes that Danelle Plaza continues to be a haven for local artists post redevelopment.
He explained that the plaza’s creation came at a time where Tempe was shifting from its agricultural roots to accommodate for a wave of suburban growth. Danelle Plaza was meant to cater to these new residents and could have potentially served as a new downtown.
“At the time, it was supposed to be the next generation of a downtown and what that might look like,” Moore said.
Arts and live music are critical parts of Danelle Plaza's history and significance to the Tempe community.
Independent Newsmedia/Caroline Yu
(Independent Newsmedia/Caroline Yu)
Ultimately, Downtown Tempe did not land at Danelle Plaza for a number of reasons, but the property did temporarily house city hall between 1969 to 1971 while new government buildings were being constructed.
But, the plaza still held an important purpose to the local arts scene even throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, with Moore characterizing the numerous music venues that have graced the plaza as laboratories for new sounds.
“A lot of creativity occurs in places you don’t suspect, like strip malls, at the neighborhood level and Danelle Plaza has actually contributed a lot through the decades to Tempe’s creative identity,” Moore said.
On top of its rich live music history, Danelle Plaza has been a space for all types of art and creative pursuits, with The Danelle Project working with local artists in recent years to bring their work into the space.
As Tempe begins to develop its plan for the plaza, Moore hopes that the city and development team are wary of how significant art is to the space, while also balancing the city’s priorities with the project. One solution he suggested is to create affordable housing that local artists can make use of.
“I hope it leans into its local identity, I hope it continues to support artists and musicians and nurtures our local creative scene in that way,” he said.
Information on The Danelle Project can be found at thedanelleproject.org.
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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Most recently on Jan. 18, Tempe City Council approved the conveyance of its property to the development team for $2.75 million. No official plans have been created yet, as the process has just begun with the developers finalizing the development’s boundaries.
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