Tempe residents, artists and community members spoke out at a recent city council meeting to share their concerns about the redevelopment of Danelle Plaza, urging the city to heavily consider public input in its work bringing new life to the commercial center.
The city entered into an agreement with Guina Affiliated Development and Desert Viking Development in February 2024 to create a plan to rejuvenate the plaza at 3400 S Mill Ave. This agreement, according to the city’s most recent update, aims to preserve the art at Danelle Plaza, while bringing in fresh elements like a publicly accessible park with an outdoor performance venue.
Tempe released an update on the Danelle Plaza redevelopment on Jan. 23, affirming there is no demolition scheduled at the cultural site, but that the plaza has deteriorated.
“While several of the existing structures will have to be removed to allow the soils to be remediated, no development plan has been submitted and the parties have not arranged for demolition of any facilities,” the update stated.
The city also addressed the central building of the plaza, which has been used as a canvas for local artists.
In redeveloping the plaza, the city stated the art murals on this building will be removed, but it will provide two options for their relocation either within a building in the plaza or displayed on an Apache Boulevard building.
But the update did note that there is still work to be done, and once a plan is created for the project, it will go through the city’s public involvement process, which includes a neighborhood meeting, Development Review Commission meeting and at least two city council public hearings.
“We want to ensure that everyone who loves Danelle Plaza and cherishes the memories made there will have a chance to review the plans and provide comments,” the update stated.
More than 20 concerned members from the Tempe arts community spoke at Tempe City Council’s Jan. 23 meeting to remind councilors of the space’s importance to local artists and Tempe as a space of cultural importance.
A majority of the speakers shared personal stories about their connections to the space and how Danelle Plaza is a very meaningful place to many local artists who have shown their work there.
Sofia Aguilar, a local artist and Tempe resident, said she was one of the many artists to have had their first project displayed at the plaza.
“By that time, I already knew the plaza had some kind of magic because of the art, because of its unique nature, because of so many experiences that I had already had there,” Aguilar said.
She went on to say that the local arts community has grown and continues to thrive at Danelle Plaza, which is why the city should be focused on preserving the space for local artists in the coming redevelopment.
Tempe resident Rob Moore speaks about Danelle Plaza to Tempe City Council.
Courtesy City of Tempe/Tempe 11
(Courtesy City of Tempe/Tempe 11)
All of the public comments urged council to consider the significance of the plaza, which is important to the neighboring communities and people involved in the art scene. They shared similar sentiments that the city should carefully plan this redevelopment to preserve the unique qualities of Danelle Plaza.
One resident who spoke at the meeting, Rob Moore, emphasized the need for community input going forward so that council can better understand the “creative community’s connection to the place.”
“People want to see balanced redevelopment solutions that embrace existing cultural, social and economic assets that reflect the diversity of our neighborhoods — this is the case of Danelle Plaza,” Moore said.
For more on Tempe’s redevelopment of Danelle Plaza, visit www.tempe.gov/Danelle.
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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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