So, we’ve heard a lot of talk lately about how many new developments are popping up along the light rail line. Without a doubt, the entire light rail corridor continues to see many new projects. There’s a ton of new stuff in Phoenix, Tempe and in Mesa.
Tempe’s “Sin City” area along the Apache Corridor, east of ASU, has announced hundreds and hundreds of new residential units and many of these developers mention the proximity to our transit line as one of the major factors that go in to their decision making process when deciding to dump boatloads of capital in to their shiny new projects. I’m pretty sure that the seemingly unending supply of college kids with money to spend on the latest and greatest “luxury apartment” near ASU has something to do with it, as well. Kind of a perfect storm, right?
Here’s an example of one of the many developments being talked about in the Sin City area of Tempe. ( just east of campus, along Apache )
University Village 2.0 was recently given city approval. This $60+ million student housing community will have 775 beds. Amenities will include a resort-style pool with beach entry, outdoor jumbo TV, sand volleyball court, fitness center and clubroom spaces. There is also plans for a community pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, cabanas and television. A smaller outdoor nook will feature a two-way fireplace, garden and seating to give residents a quieter place to congregate
Sure, I’ve been talking about the Apache Corridor for many years. In fact, we specifically talked about the light rail corridor traveling east on Apache back in 2009 when we made this video. It really wasn’t too tough to figure out that there would soon be a LOT of changes coming to the area.
Not everyone is thrilled:
Like anything else, you can’t get everyone to agree on the benefits of building more urban housing along the light rail line. Screams of gentrification are heard, NIMBY’s continue to want to keep Tempe the same as it has “always been” and yet, others want an even more vibrant, more densely populated area.
It seems like much of this development is geared towards students as many of them have a ton of disposable income and want to be near campus. I’m not entirely sure that they are going to be removing the name Sin City from the area just because hundreds of millions of dollars are pumped in to the area. I do think it might help some alleviate some of the competition in some of the single family neighborhoods in the 85281 zip code and allow more normal and longer term residents enjoy living in downtown Tempe.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000 times, there is more to life in these areas than college kids looking for a party. It drives me absolutely bananas to see damn near EVERY home for sale or for lease within a couple of miles from downtown Tempe advertised as “close to ASU” and “perfect rental opportunity”. My big news flash is the fact that many people want to own or lease a home in an area that has awesome access to transit, to a bajillion restaurants and shops, to parks, Tempe Town Lake, hiking and biking trails and so much of what the area has to offer. Yes, even the quirky, weird stuff in the downtown area. It all adds up to a very unique lifestyle that is more than frat row. Heck, I’ve got nothing against college kids and I don’t have problems with ASU, far from it. I just happen to think this area has a LOT more to offer than red solo cups.
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