A popular one-story shopping center in Tempe may become even more popular if city officials are successful in their bid to add more mixed-use space to the site.
Located near the intersection of Mill Avenue and Southern Avenue in the retail-heavy central part of the city, the Danelle Plaza, which was opened in 1963, is already the home to a number of stores and restaurants, as well as a billiards hall and live music venue.
The plaza is an iconic space to generations of Tempe residents who have shopped there, listened to music, or just passed the time of day.
In the 1960s it was the home to the Tempo Ballroom, which boasted a swing orchestra and a “spacious hardwood dance floor.”
Now city officials are going through responses to a Request for Qualifications seeking developers to build both apartment and commercial space at the site.
As imagined, the new mixed-use development would be built on an existing parking lot in the center of the plaza and would include affordable or workforce housing.
The Tempe Economic Development Department is expected to present ideas for how the project can best proceed to the Tempe City Council in July.
By Garry Boulard