Tempe says Mill Avenue streetscape Phase 3 is underway; crews will return in summer for roadway work

City of Tempe project staff updated downtown business owners and stakeholders on the Mill Avenue streetscape improvements during a January virtual briefing, saying Phase 3 is under way and most mid‑block sidewalk work is complete.

The project coordinator, Josh, who identified himself as the city construction project coordinator overseeing the work, said crews have installed new sidewalk pavers, added ADA ramps and expanded pedestrian spaces known as bump‑outs. He said the team also upgraded electrical and irrigation systems to support downtown events, installed bus shelters and implemented a new tree and landscape palette.

Why it matters: The work changes curbside access and pedestrian flow along a key downtown corridor and will require coordinated access plans for businesses when crews return to resurface the roadway.

Details of the work and schedule Ben, a project staff member who presented photographs during the update, walked through corner treatments and public‑art mosaics at multiple intersections, including examples at 3rd Street and near 5th Street. He said mid‑block sidewalk work is finished, most bump‑outs are nearly complete, and a small amount of foundation work remains for a banner pole north of a specified corner. "We're right in that sweet spot to stay out of everybody's way," Ben said when explaining the crew schedule.

According to the presentation, construction began in April 2024. The project completed Phase 1 in August 2024 and Phase 2 by late January (dates given by project staff); Phase 3 covers intersections from 7th Street to Rio Salado Parkway. Project staff described remaining tasks as dispersed small landscaping and irrigation items across Phase 3.

Staff noted banner pole foundations were scheduled to be poured the week of Jan. 19 with poles installed thereafter; officials described the gateway sign installation timeline as tentative and said the physical installation should take roughly a week or two with final base and wiring work afterward.

Summer roadway work and merchant outreach Josh said the team intends to wait until after landscaping and hardscape work is settled before returning in summer to perform asphalt and roadway work that will give the corridor its final surfacing. He said the schedule for that work is not yet finalized and will be shared with businesses in advance so the city can coordinate access and routing.

Ali, who identified herself as a representative of a downtown business authority and who manages a merchant newsletter, encouraged businesses to sign up for tailored communications and one‑on‑one meetings for customized signage or visibility during construction; she provided an email contact for signup. Ali also described parking‑related tools for the public and merchants: a web platform called "Tenby Trip" that shows downtown garages (and will show street parking once construction data is available) and the ParkMobile app as a convenient option for regular downtown parkers. The presentation noted a few free, short‑term parking options at 201 Ash Garage and City Hall during weekdays.

Next steps Project staff listed key contacts for the effort (Aiken Gardner, Brian, Ben, Casey, Ali and Morgan) and said they will continue outreach, provide coordinated access plans ahead of any closures, and hold one more virtual meeting on Feb. 10 to prepare for summer work. The session ended with an invitation for questions and a reminder that attendees can follow up by email or phone.

What the meeting did not decide There were no formal votes or motions during this update; staff described current schedules and commitments but did not present final dates for summer roadway work or firm installation dates for the gateway sign. Project staff characterized most timing as tentative and subject to further coordination with businesses.