Downtown Streetscape Improvements - Mill Avenue, Rio Salado Parkway to University Drive, Phase 2
Project Owner: City of Tempe
Project Type: Construction Manager at Risk
Achen-Gardner Construction is working with the City of Tempe, J2 (Design Engineer), and specialty subcontractors to Refresh Tempe. We are enhancing Mill Avenue from University Drive to Rio Salado Parkway, the first renovation of this historic corridor in nearly 40 years. Construction is taking place in multiple phases and includes hardscape, landscape, pavement, and artistic improvements to this iconic area. We are working closely with the City of Tempe and the Downtown Tempe Authority to maintain access and support downtown residents and businesses during construction.
Highlights of this project include:
Drainage: We improved the storm drainage system on all four corners of the Mill Avenue and 5th Street intersection. We installed one new manhole, six catch basins, and more than 170 LF of 8” to 18” storm drain. This storm drain work was primarily completed within partial sidewalk and bike lane closures. Several tie-ins required night work and detailed coordination with Valley Metro to avoid impacting the Tempe Streetcar tracks.
Gateway Signage: We installed a new gateway sign that creates a bold, iconic entrance to Downtown Tempe. The design features illuminated metal letters spelling “MILL AVE” suspended 20 feet above the street on catenary cables. The structure stretches nearly 95 feet wide and is supported by 27-foot pylons engineered to clear the streetcar below.
Public Art: We installed 19 LithoMosaic artworks at street corners along Mill Avenue. The City of Tempe Historical Society took input from community members to decide on iconic local buildings and infrastructure to feature. Two artists, Lisa Bernal Brethour and Wick Alexander, referenced photos and brought them to life using small hand-cut tiles. Each one took a week to create, and then our crews sealed them in concrete and added sandblasted captions of the historic places they represent.
