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Tempe closer to having biomedical and technology campus near arts center

Posted at 6:30 PM, Aug 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-22 21:30:03-04

The Tempe Center for the Arts is close to having new neighbors.

The city council selected a bid submitted by The Boyer Company, Okland Construction and SmithGroupJJR to develop 18 acres west of the arts center into a biomedical and technology campus on Rio Salado Parkway. The team's proposal includes five multi-story buildings and two parking garages with about 2,500 spaces. It also includes a restaurant, arts-related spaces, and trails connecting to the arts center and Town Lake pathways. The bid was one of four submitted.

“We are experiencing tremendous momentum in Tempe when it comes to attracting businesses that bring jobs and tax revenue used to maintain and improve the quality of life for our residents,” Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said. “Companies are coming to Tempe because we have a skilled and diverse workforce, a great energy and a concentration of tech companies. The Tempe Biomedical and Technology Campus will be an exciting, key addition to our mix of cutting-edge businesses that benefit our community and set Tempe apart.”

The next step is for the development team and city staff to write an agreement and submit it for council approval.

Tempe’s Economic Development team has its sights set on biomedical and technology companies because of the high-quality, high-paying jobs the industry brings to town. 

According to the city, there are approximately 15,000 technology jobs in Tempe, paying an average of $95,000 annually.