Improvements along Mill Avenue continue to progress, with Tempe city staff estimating that the full scope of work could be completed by the beginning of 2026.
Tempe City Council heard a presentation at its Jan. 30 work study session from transportation and sustainability director Eric Iwersen and public works director Tara Ford about updates on the Downtown Mill Avenue Streetscape Project, which spans from University Drive to Rio Salado Parkway.
In their presentation, Iwersen and Ford gave a brief history of the project, how the project has been progressing and what’s next for the improvements on Mill Avenue.
Iwersen emphasized at the meeting that the construction project is ongoing and fluid, and because of this, things continue to evolve in order to incorporate changes happening with special events, business access and making sure streets are still functional.
The design for the Downtown Mill Avenue Streetscape Project was completed in early 2024, with construction starting shortly after.
“We really got into construction, and it has been moving quick since we started late last summer,” Iwersen said.
He added that this project is really about improving the downtown to keep up with its evolution over the last 40-plus years, upgrading the infrastructure and aesthetics of the street to accommodate the new growth in downtown.
Improvements in progress and to come include new pedestrian ramps at all intersections along with other ADA additions, new trees planted along the street, expanding pedestrian space on the sidewalks, 22 lithomosaic historical images at sidewalk corners by Indigenous artists, water and irrigation line upgrades and more.
Ford delved more into the collaboration that’s been required to maintain accessibility to Mill Avenue and its businesses throughout the construction process. Important partners include those business owners and the Downtown Tempe Authority, especially with the latter putting on public events along the street.
“It is a stressful process for a lot of people. We understand that,” Ford said.
Construction progresses, but the city and its partners continue to work together to maintain safe access to Mill Avenue for special events and to mitigate accessibility impacts to local businesses.
Ford went on to say that staff have expedited construction, with the goal of completing the improvements by the beginning of 2026. There are day and night crews to ensure construction is running 24/7.
From University Drive to Seventh Street, work is expected to be completed in February, and from Seventh Street to Sixth Street, work should be completed in March. Additionally, the Sixth Street intersection improvements were expected to begin in March but may be moved back to accommodate work at a different intersection.
Going forward, there will be continued dialogue with businesses and merchants to not negatively impact their operations. There are also virtual meetings every second Tuesday that go over any project updates where people can provide feedback.
Councilmember Jennifer Adams asked Iwersen and Ford about how businesses have been holding up, to which Ford said that they have received mostly positive feedback, but some businesses have reported struggling.
“It could be due to the construction or other items, we’re not sure, and that’s why…we’re working with them,” Ford said.
With any issues that come up, she said that they are willing to modify their plans to accommodate concerns or issues that have come up as a result of the construction along Mill Avenue.
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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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