City officials in Tempe continue to review plans by the Arizona Coyotes hockey team to not only build a new 16,000-seat arena, but also a much more expansive entertainment district.
The city has been conducting a series of public input hearings on the roughly $2 billion project, which will also include the building of new hotels, restaurants, shops, and residential space.
The project is being spearheaded by Bluebird Development LLC, which has corporate offices in Phoenix. Bluebird is owned by Alex Meruelo and the Meruelo Group, which also own the hockey team.
The project could end up being built along the south bank of the Salt River on a 46-acre site that was formerly a landfill. The team earlier pledged to spend up to $40 to pay for the remediation of that site. According to some reports, toxic landfill materials could be buried up to 37 feet below the surface.
The Coyotes have been involved in negotiations with city officials as well as the Tempe City Council since last summer, going over the details of the project.
It is thought that that council may vote sometime next month on the proposed development.
By Garry Boulard
