Note: This is part 2 of several entries with photos from around Tempe.

When I went to ASU Tempe Campus from 1997 to 1999 the majority of the large buildings were either on the ASU Campus (Manzantia Hall, the Physical Science Building) or own leased by ASU (University Towers on Fifth and College). During this time the largest commercial building in the area was the Chase Bank building on Mill Ave and University. The largest residential NOT part of ASU was Hayden’s Landing along Ash between Third and Fourth Streets.

Over the past few years growth on and off the ASU Campus has exploded, mostly with new student housing as well. In the late 90’s an idea came to life to revitalize a 2-mile section of the dry Salt River on the north end of downtown in to a Lake, The Tempe Town Lake. Inflatable rubber dams were built on either end along with infrastructure to stabilize the shoreline. Also built was Tempe Beach Park an outdoor multi-venue site. Part of the ‘master plan’ for the Tempe Town Lake included commercial and residential condos (as if students are going to be able to afford lakeside condos). The first project to completed in the Summer 2002 was Hayden’s Ferry Lakeside, a mixed residential, commercial and retail development.