Developers, neighbors weigh Dinell Plaza rezoning as Tempe begins MU‑4 review
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Summary
Developers seeking mixed‑use MU‑4 zoning for Dinell Plaza told the council the project aims to preserve arts and add attainable housing; neighbors urged protections for longtime local businesses and cultural uses and asked for specific affordable‑housing commitments.
Developers and neighborhood advocates gave the Tempe City Council competing accounts of Dinell Plaza's future after the council held a first hearing to introduce a request to rezone the 3400 South Mill Avenue site to MU‑4 for a mixed‑use redevelopment.
Developer representatives described a phased approach that would preserve arts and music venues, create public open space, and deliver a mix of retail, cultural activation and workforce/attainable housing. Ni el Guina of Desert Viking/Desert Bike & Development (project co‑lead) said the team intends to prioritize local, mom‑and‑pop operators and to include activation space for artists. "We see a lot of passion throughout the community," Guina said; he described prior activations at the plaza and said the development agreement anticipates cultural and open‑space benefits.
Artists and arts organizers who have used Rocket Space and other Dinell venues urged the council to preserve the creative ecosystem. Jacqueline Spaugh, chair of the Tempe Arts & Music Coalition and president of TAMSI, described recent programming at Rocket Space and said the projects generated direct income for local artists and contributed to the local economy: "None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support we've been given by the community," she told the council.
Speakers who oppose or asked for stronger guarantees questioned whether MU‑4 zoning could be used later to deliver high‑density market condos that displace local businesses. "High density ... brings residents that are not really interested in that sort of stuff and ends up killing local bars, venues, mom and pop shops," said Bridal Gross, a former Tempe resident and event organizer who said she has been priced out of Tempe.
Neighborhood leaders urged explicit, enforceable commitments for affordable or attainable housing, and requested that the developer and city provide details before the rezoning advances to final vote. Philip Yates, president of the Riverside Neighborhood Association, said he was "cautiously optimistic" but wanted clearer terms on affordability and protections against speculative redevelopment.
The developer said the project team will continue community meetings, provide programming during design and preserve music and arts spaces where possible. Council members expressed general support for continuing the rezoning process and emphasized the need for detailed community benefits language and follow‑up engagement.
The council scheduled a second and final public hearing for Oct. 16, 2025. The rezoning introduction means the developer may proceed with community outreach and design work; council and public comment at the Oct. 16 hearing will form part of the final decision record.
