As construction is underway on a new clothing store on Mill Avenue, the city is tossing around additional development ideas for downtown Tempe.
The new store, American Apparel, is headed for the building under construction at the corner of Mill Avenue and Sixth Street, with neighbors Urban Outfitters and Swell Clothing and Music. The store is set to open in November.
The building, located at 526 South Mill Ave., is undergoing a "cosmetic makeover," said Tempe Councilwoman Pam Goronkin.
Goronkin, chairwoman of the council technology advancement, tourism and redevelopment committee, said the city is always looking at ways to redevelop and revitalize the downtown area.
Rod Keeling, president of the Downtown Tempe Community, has said he hopes to see that area of Mill Avenue become a fashion niche.
Development of the Hayden Mill site, near Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, and increasing hotel space downtown are top priorities of the committee, Goronkin said.
"We need desperately to have more hotel space downtown," Goronkin said. "We're having to turn away conferences because of lack of facilities."
As for the Hayden Flour Mill, Goronkin said there is a strong sentiment on the council to maintain the historical character of the structure.
"One of the things people like about Tempe is its authenticity," Goronkin said. "We want to maintain that flavor of Tempe."
Buildings left boarded up or empty by building owners are also major concerns to the committee, said Goronkin.
"I'm not happy about it," she said.
Other ideas for development are still in the conceptual stage.
Goronkin said she'd like to see more "white tablecloth type of restaurants" on and around Mill Avenue.
"That doesn't mean we're trying to get rid of what's in the downtown now," she added. "We're just trying to add another layer."
The city is also looking at ideas for city land along the Union Pacific Railroad between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway, west of Mill Avenue, Goronkin said.
Goronkin said that area might be used for housing.
"But I don't see that being used for high-rises," she added.
Development along that corridor would make a buffer between the density of downtown and the residential neighborhoods nearby, Goronkin said.
"We want an urban environment where maybe people would be willing to give up one of their cars eventually," she added.
Reach the reporter at emilia.arnold@asu.edu.
