The Tempe project plans to meet the affordable housing commitment

PHOENIX – The city of Tempe is set to transform a Food City plaza into a housing and community center that addresses mixed-income housing and other local needs, according to a news release Thursday.

The seven-acre Food City property was first vacated in September 2021, and $20 million in city, Maricopa County and federal funding helped Tempe close the sale.

Efforts at the Pollack Apache Center were bolstered in March as Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton secured $1.7 million in federal funding. Maricopa County was able to give the city $10.8 million in December 2023 thanks to federal support through the American Rescue Plan Act, and the city itself contributed $8 million.

This development is one of six projects supported by Tempe’s Affordable Housing Strategy and Hometown for All initiative.

“Every family deserves an affordable and safe place to call home,” Stanton said in a statement. “This center, the third affordable housing project I’ve partnered with Mayor (Corey) Woods and the city on in three years, will unlock even more opportunity and investment in North Tempe while helping residents stay in the community they love.”

🏠 Tempe plans to transform the recently purchased Food City Plaza in north Tempe into a housing and shopping center that brings together mixed-income housing, a grocery store and a police station to meet the needs of the community. Details: https://t.co/rFQfGavOdS pic.twitter.com/akOAyEB8GV

— City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) October 17, 2024

The project includes mixed-income housing, a grocery store and a police station with an accompanying training center.

At least 50% of the future housing will be allocated to residents with an income equal to or below 80% of the area’s median income. The total number of homes will be determined after the design of the lot is completed.

The police station and training facility are conditional on the project, as their inclusion depends on the results of the 2024 special bond election on Nov. 5. City voters will decide whether or not to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $32 million in general obligation bonds.

“Our investment in Food City Plaza represents an ongoing commitment to North Tempe and creating more housing opportunities for anyone who wants to call our city home,” Mayor Woods said in a statement. “We believe this new center will be transformative and spur even more development in the area.”

Construction on the project is not expected to begin for at least two years, as the city said it will honor the leases of existing businesses in the area.

“Affordable housing is needed throughout Tempe,” longtime north Tempe resident Kim Gaffney said in a statement. “It is very necessary for those who work in our city. While our far north neighborhood already has affordable housing, most of it is aging. The best communities have a mix of housing options.”

What are the other five projects in the city focused on housing opportunity?

Apache Central: Up to 400 housing units will be priced for low and moderate income, with retail and other parcels of land also to be addressed.
LaVictoria Commons – Tempe will revive a 2.6-acre site near Apache Boulevard and Price Road that includes 104 apartments, 19 townhouses and a health clinic.
Tempe Performing Arts Center: This property will be zoned high-density for housing and other urban uses.
Hackett House Redevelopment: A request for proposal will be issued in early 2025 to move forward with a mid-rise housing project that includes workforce housing and event space for Sister Cities of Tempe.
Tempe Coalition for Affordable Housing Parcel: A vacant lot at Apache Boulevard and McClintock Drive will be converted into 40-50 units of affordable housing.

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