Tempe updates Mill Avenue streetscape; city targets completion by early next year

Eric Iverson, Tempe’s Transportation and Sustainability Director, and Tara Ford, Public Works Director, told the City Council at a work study session that construction on the Mill Avenue Streetscape between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway is ongoing and that the city is aiming to finish by the beginning of next year.

The project, Iverson said, began full construction in late summer and started with a major four‑day closure at the Mill and University intersection. "That was the start of the project," he said, adding the intersection work was completed on time and within budget. Iverson described the work as both underground and aboveground: new irrigation and electrical lines, upgraded pavement and ADA ramps, new tree wells and planters, two types of pavers, string lighting, bus shelters and a conceptual gateway over the street.

The update emphasized elements intended to improve the downtown pedestrian environment without removing traffic lanes. Where the street had excess pavement, crews have "bumped out" the sidewalk to widen pedestrian zones while maintaining continuous north‑south bike lanes. Iverson described a continuous two‑foot concrete band behind the curb that will centralize irrigation and electrical conduits for easier future access. He noted two paving materials: a traditional red brick for mid‑block segments and a gray concrete unit paver at intersections.

Ford said the project is effectively multiple overlapping projects — irrigation, electrical, sidewalks, streetscape — requiring multiple crews and continual coordination with businesses and event planners. "It's very fluid," she said, noting the city now runs day and night operations and has shifted from a block‑by‑block schedule to an expedited approach intended to reduce overall disruption. Ford said mid‑block work from University Drive to 7th Street is targeted for completion in early February, while corner work that involves traffic signals and additional electrical work will continue afterward.

Trees are a major focus. The city is replacing many older ficus with five desert‑adapted species, planting pistache and olive trees now where possible and retaining mature, healthy ficus when feasible to preserve canopy. String lighting across three blocks and 22 mosaic history panels at corner locations are complete or underway. The project will add three new bus shelters; Iverson said the city is coordinating with the public art program and "some Native American artists" for designs on those shelters. A gateway sign concept is planned for the block between 7th and University; Iverson said structural engineering is in progress and the design may change.

Iverson and Ford stressed ongoing outreach. Ford said the city and the Downtown Tempe Authority (DTA) hold frequent meetings with merchants — a recorded virtual meeting is held the second Tuesday of each month — and that the city coordinates construction around events such as the Rock and Roll marathon, Tempe’s Blooms and the Tempe Blues Festival. Councilmembers praised staff outreach and staging; Councilmember Amberg confirmed that bike lanes remain continuous after the bump‑outs.

The presentation noted ADA improvements to address cross‑slope and connection issues and to implement elements of the city's ADA transition plan. Iverson said those upgrades respond to current ADA requirements and are a central piece of the streetscape work.

City staff did not present a new vote or ordinance; the session was an informational update and councilmembers offered questions and praise. The project schedule remained fluid, staff said, with adjustments made to respond to surprises in existing underground infrastructure and to reduce disruption to businesses.