Tempe preservation advisers outline downtown core plan; commissioners press for deeper engagement

Presenters for the downtown historic core plan told the Tempe Historic Preservation Commission the intent is to preserve Mill Avenue’s continuous street wall while accommodating growth by locating larger, longer-term parking hubs at the edges of the core and directing downtown visitors to ‘park once’ areas. The presenters argued that keeping surface lots away from Mill Avenue will maintain the walkable, historic retail character that defines downtown Tempe.

“Allow short-term parking along Mill Avenue … to continue providing clear wayfinding to direct people to the strategically located parking areas,” the presenter said, adding that the strategy should reduce cruising for spaces and improve pedestrian comfort through shade and a continuous tree canopy. The presentation also proposed sustainability measures such as low-impact stormwater systems and leveraging the downtown refresh program to set a consistent…