Environmental Assessment

1.2.3 Enhancing Access to Regional Employment Centers and ActivityDestinationsTempe’s growth has fueled the creation of multiple activity nodes across the city andwithin the streetcar study area for employment, entertainment, commercial andeducational purposes. Building on Downtown Tempe’s past success, the proposedBuild Alternative should continue to enhance economic and transit-orienteddevelopment potential by linking several activity nodes, major commercial intersectionsand educational and institutional facilities within the study area. The Build Alternativeshould also create a seamless connection with the existing light rail line and plannedfuture transit corridors, thus further enhancing connections with major regionalemployment centers, academic institutions, entertainment and commercial destinations.Current analysis of regional travel demand patterns suggest that a large proportion oftrips are destined for the regional employment centers of Downtown Tempe, ASU, SkyHarbor International Airport and downtown Phoenix as well as major attractions andeducational institutions such as US Airways Center, Chase Field, Gateway CommunityCollege, ASU downtown campus, University of Arizona College of Medicine and theMesa Arts Center. A net importer of jobs, Tempe, specifically downtown, houses severalnational and regional corporate headquarters including Limelight Productions andChase Bank, both of which serve as large employers and trip generators. Additionally,Downtown Tempe hosts numerous special events that attract over one million visitorsannually, including the Cactus Bowl Block Party, the semiannual Festival of the Arts, theP.F. Chang’s Rock-and-Roll Marathon and Pat Tillman’s Run (Pat’s Run). ASU is thenation’s largest university with a 2014-2015 student body on its Tempe campus of over50,000 and a planned 2020 enrollment of 60,000 (Source: Arizona State University2011 Master Plan Update). Moreover, numerous ASU educational facilities are locatedalong Apache Boulevard, making this street a major access point and activity area forthe many students, faculty and staff who work at or attend the university. In addition, alarge, dense student and faculty population resides within the substantial amount ofhigh-rise housing recently built along Apache Boulevard. Finally, Sun Devil Stadium,Gammage Auditorium, Wells Fargo Arena and Tempe Center for the Arts are just a fewof the venues that together draw nearly five million people annually to the proposedBuild Alternative’s study area. In addition to serving these large employment and activitycenters directly, the proposed Build Alternative will provide connectivity to destinationsregion-wide by offering a convenient connection to the Valley Metro light rail. Figure 1-3depicts important activity centers located within the study area.1.2.4 Supporting Current and Planned Economic and Transit-OrientedDevelopment in the Project CorridorsSignificant opportunities for economic development are possible within the BuildAlternative study area. Given the proximity to current transit options, the city’s diverseeconomy, its commitment to transit-supportive initiatives and the vibrancy, density andwalkability of downtown, Tempe is uniquely qualified to support a high-capacity transitproject that provides a transit alternative for residents, visitors, employees and students.Environmental Assessment Page 1-6 July 2015Tempe Streetcar