Monti's La Casa Vieja -- Oldest Restaurant in Tempe Closing

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

It is going to be sad to see Monti's close, but I'm glad they're at least keeping the old building, and not bulldozing it. I hope it doesn't just sit vacant. Since it's a piece of history, it really should be converted into some kind of a museum. In some ways, it already is ... but opening it as a museum of history would really be beneficial.

I also hope the proposed development around it goes through, and not shelved for whatever reason. Too many projects of this kind have been planned, only to be scrapped, and then the old structures are either left dilapidated, or torn down in favor of yet another beautiful vacant lot or parking lot. We don't need any more vacant spaces ... we need more infill, and Tempe is becoming the urban mecca that much of Phoenix failed to be.

Ultimately, all of this comes down to jobs. You can't fill fancy condos, apartments and town homes if people don't have jobs and can't afford to live there. That's why ultimately, all of these plans fall through because the demand drops due to people not being able to afford them thanks to a lack of a jobs. The Phoenix mentality of "build it and they will come" does not work. They tried that with downtown Phoenix and it was a big failure. The only reason downtown has experienced some revitalization is due to ASU and all of its graduate schools setting up shop there. Likewise, our state needs to be aggressive in luring companies to the state.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by glenlhein

Development is not shameful. If it wasn't for development, we would still be living in caves.

This is very true. The planned development should enhance the area even more, especially being right across the street from the lake. What would really be a shame is if the development falls through the cracks for whatever reason, and the historic landmark ends up sitting vacant & becomes dilapidated. This has happened too many times before.

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Ultimately, all of this comes down to jobs. You can't fill fancy condos, apartments and town homes if people don't have jobs and can't afford to live there. That's why ultimately, all of these plans fall through because the demand drops due to people not being able to afford them thanks to a lack of a jobs. The Phoenix mentality of "build it and they will come" does not work. They tried that with downtown Phoenix and it was a big failure. The only reason downtown has experienced some revitalization is due to ASU and all of its graduate schools setting up shop there. Likewise, our state needs to be aggressive in luring companies to the state.

I couldn't agree more. Jobs should be first and foremost as far as what drives the economy ... not sunshine, snowbirds, or retirement. If more large corporations based their regional, national, or global HQs here, there would be an increase in competitive jobs people strive for, and then there would be the demand for highrise condos, and more upscale development.

Back to Monti's: I tried to get reservations for this last Saturday night, but the recording on their phone line said that they're not taking any reservations or walk ins. They must have been booked solid right through the weekend since their closing date is scheduled for tomorrow (Monday the 17th).