Tempe Plans Improvements For The Smith Innovation Hub

Press release from the City of Tempe:

May 26, 2021

Tempe is developing an infrastructure master plan for the Smith Innovation Hub that will identify potential needs for the area, including lighting, sidewalk or road improvements, bike lanes, landscaping and water/sewer upgrades.

Located between Rio Salado Parkway and University Drive to the north and south and McClintock Drive and Loop 101 to the west and east, the Smith Innovation Hub is made up of mostly light industrial and office uses.

The goal of the Innovation Hub is to enhance the employment corridor to promote new investment, job creation and placemaking that attracts and retains a quality workforce.

Your input is needed to help shape the future of the Smith Innovation Hub. A public meeting to discuss existing conditions and gather feedback on potential improvements will be held:

Friday, June 4
9 a.m.
WebEx - Join
Password: Smith

The master plan will help identify area needs, ensuring it aligns with the community’s vision, and will include specific projects, cost estimates and a prioritized list of infrastructure improvements.

A draft plan will be available in July for input with the final plan anticipated by early fall 2021. The plan will guide future city and private development infrastructure investment in the area.

The master plan will address several Tempe City Council priorities, including reducing traffic delays, creating a 20-minute city, and increasing right of way landscaping and tree/shade canopy coverage. The plan also aligns with the city’s economic development goals of retaining and attracting jobs and business investment in our community.

To find project information, or to comment online June 4-17, please visit tempe.gov/SmithHub. The virtual meeting will be recorded and posted to the project website.

This press release was produced by the City of Tempe. The views expressed here are the author's own.