Mill ave in downtown Tempe (Phoenix: salon, apartment, rent)

[azriverfan.]

Wow, I was really disturbed what I saw in downtown Tempe. I haven't been there in months and it was disheartening. There were so many empty and closed down spaces in what was once an active and thriving downtown. I remember the Karsten on Mill salon and that entire space was empty. Next to Fat Tuesdays were 5 or 6 abandoned suites. Borders closed down...how does a Borders on a college campus close down??? There is nothing there still and it's an empty space. And those two towers are supposedly empty as well. This is very Detroit-like if you know what I mean. I know the economy is bad but you would think one of America's largest universities could at least do more than have several abandoned spaces in the heart of their major street. I say this not to put down on Tempe or Mil. I'm genuinely saddened by this and hope it improves

[asufan]

Tempe Marketplace is partly to blame for the demise for Mill Avenue, as well as owners with unreal expectations for what the rent should be. If you ever go to Tempe Marketplace in the evening, the bars and restaurants are hoppin', and people are in the stores. Ruby Tuesday that was once on Mill is in the marketplace (not a big loss). The establishments that remain on Mill may struggle because the rents are so high, and they really should be adjusted to a more realistic number considering the competition and economy. In good news Five Guys Burgers in taking over the vacant space that coffee plantation left behind, and I've seen other new tenants moving is as well.

Once the condo's are finally completed by another developer (as either condo, apartment or hotel), the area will see much more pedestrian traffic that can help support the retail. It was just the perfect storm in the area with 1. Unfinished housing, 2. Poor economy, and 3. The opening of Tempe Marketplace a couple miles away. It will bounce back, I'm sure of that, but it may take a few years to see any major improvement.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by asufan

Tempe Marketplace is partly to blame for the demise for Mill Avenue, as well as owners with unreal expectations for what the rent should be. If you ever go to Tempe Marketplace in the evening, the bars and restaurants are hoppin', and people are in the stores. Ruby Tuesday that was once on Mill is in the marketplace (not a big loss). The establishments that remain on Mill may struggle because the rents are so high, and they really should be adjusted to a more realistic number considering the competition and economy. In good news Five Guys Burgers in taking over the vacant space that coffee plantation left behind, and I've seen other new tenants moving is as well.

Once the condo's are finally completed by another developer (as either condo, apartment or hotel), the area will see much more pedestrian traffic that can help support the retail. It was just the perfect storm in the area with 1. Unfinished housing, 2. Poor economy, and 3. The opening of Tempe Marketplace a couple miles away. It will bounce back, I'm sure of that, but it may take a few years to see any major improvement.

Great post and that's what I wanted to hear. The area is nostalgic for me. I never went to ASU but I saw Cardinals games when they still played at Sundevil stadium and had some fun on Mill when I was younger. I remember when it was thriving. It's still strange that Tempe Marketplace would take competition because it's not walkable and it's a suburban outdoor mall for all intents and purposes. But yes, I believe the rents are ridiculous; the Valley tends to have owners who set unrealistic rents aka downtown Phoenix.

[Maroon197]

Tempe Marketplace has something Mill may never have: Plentiful, free parking.

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

Tempe Marketplace has something Mill may never have: Plentiful, free parking.

Parking isn't really an issue for downtown areas even if one must pay. Pedestrian traffic is increasing and the light rail makes it more convenient to get to such locations. I think the economy actually might be Mills saving grace when all is said and done. It will force Mill to revert to a more unique experience as it once was before the clone stores moved in like Abercrombie, Z Gallery, etc. When people explore downtown areas they expect to see unique shops that for the most part can't be had anywhere else but in those locales. This will help Tempe in the long run.

[Maroon197]

This is Phoenix. Parking is an issue everywhere. Now I certainly can't speak for everyone, but I personally know tons of people who love Tempe Marketplace and won't go near Mill anymore due solely to the parking situation.

I really hope Mill does ultimately revert back to a more unique experience, but I get the feeling that will be a very long time coming.

[pbenjamin]

And that is the point. The crowd that wants chain stores and lots of parking was by definition going to be happier with a suburban power center. The idea of turning out its unique campus-oriented offerings in favor of such stuff was a poor one. Mill Avenue shot itself in the foot.

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

This is Phoenix. Parking is an issue everywhere. Now I certainly can't speak for everyone, but I personally know tons of people who love Tempe Marketplace and won't go near Mill anymore due solely to the parking situation.

I really hope Mill does ultimately revert back to a more unique experience, but I get the feeling that will be a very long time coming.

Not really, and generally only for the MOST suburban of the suburbanites. As one example, my mother used to pay over $700/month for a parking spot in downtown Seattle in the late 90's!!! Today in downtown Phoenix or Tempe one can rent a monthly space for $150-$350 a month...wonder how much it costs in Seattle nowadays. Parking isn't an issue in the Phoenix area as it is plentiful except on rare occasions. If so, just park at a free park-n-ride and take the rail into one of the downtown areas. Problem solved.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

Not really, and generally only for the MOST suburban of the suburbanites. As one example, my mother used to pay over $700/month for a parking spot in downtown Seattle in the late 90's!!! Today in downtown Phoenix or Tempe one can rent a monthly space for $150-$350 a month...wonder how much it costs in Seattle nowadays. Parking isn't an issue in the Phoenix area as it is plentiful except on rare occasions. If so, just park at a free park-n-ride and take the rail into one of the downtown areas. Problem solved.

Yeah, I never thought parking was that bad on Mill. Sure, if you went at 8 PM on a Friday or Saturday night, it could get crazy but they had paid parking spots and they were not expensive ($5) and you could usually get it paid for though validation.

Maybe you know the answer to this but why did they remove the Harkins theatre from Mill? That was a great theatre with modern stadium style theatres and it was always busy when I went. It was unique as well with the large escalator and the large glass that you could see out of when you went up it. It had a lot of character Why eliminate it?

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Yeah, I never thought parking was that bad on Mill. Sure, if you went at 8 PM on a Friday or Saturday night, it could get crazy but they had paid parking spots and they were not expensive ($5) and you could usually get it paid for though validation.

Maybe you know the answer to this but why did they remove the Harkins theatre from Mill? That was a great theatre with modern stadium style theatres and it was always busy when I went. It was unique as well with the large escalator and the large glass that you could see out of when you went up it. It had a lot of character Why eliminate it?

Oh man I loved Harkins Centerpointe! That was the one on Mill. I heard it was closed because they opened the new Harkins at the Tempe Marketplace and therefore the need for Centerpointe, which was aging, was gone. Hopefully when the economy rebounds and Mill fully takes on its new life a competitor like Cinemark or AMC will open along Mill. But like the Cine Capri, it would take on a whole new identity compared to what once was.