University Drive (Priest to Ash) and Hardy Drive (University to Broadway) have received federal transportation grants to re-shape the streets to be better places to walk and bike including adding trees and medians, enhance bike lanes, creating public art opportunities and calming traffic.  Public meetings and neighborhood input is happening now, and design ideas are taking shape at:

University Drive: http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=493

Hardy Drive:  http://www.tempe.gov/index.aspx?page=2350

In the shadow of “A” Mountain and Sun Devil Stadium within walking distance to light rail and everything downtown is:

Crane #1
“The Hub” mixed-use tower adds 279 new places to live and ground floor business space.            

Crane #2
Marriott Residence Inn adds 172 rooms on 11 floors of great views for Tempe visitors.

Arizona State University’s Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative Program recently took more than 40 young “creatives” to tour 3 local start-ups that reflect Tempe’s commitment to new businesses and the idea economy.  Students toured: MAC 6 www.MAC6.com -a conscious capitalism concept opening in September, Endless Entertainment www.endless-ent.com -an Edson Program creation that specializes in nightclub events, and Lot 2 Labs -a new downtown Tempe work and incubator space that supports start-up efforts for scientific research.

Tempe’s own Coca-Cola Bottling Plant (1850 W Elliot Road) currently has the corporation’s largest sales volume in the country and won the 2011 Nationwide Plant of the Year.  Community Development staff recently toured the plant to express support and reported back that the plant employs nearly 1000 staff on 41 acres and is a testament to the strong, diverse industry present in Tempe. http://www.cokecce.com