Tempe Rio Salado Collection

 

Drawings and Presentation Materials: c. 1980s

In 1966, James Elmore, Dean of the Arizona State University College of Architecture, challenged a group of students to come up with a plan to transform the dry Salt River bed running through the city of Tempe. Dubbed "Rio Salado" -- Salt River in Spanish -- the students' plan called for turning the riverbed into an asset by creating a mixed-use development centered around an urban greenbelt. The project attracted great interest in the riverfront cities of Mesa and Phoenix. The concept was developed over the next two decades, and in 1987 a proposal for funding the project was submitted to the voters of Maricopa County. Although the county-wide referendum did not meet with voter approval, the city of Tempe continued to pursue the Rio Salado project. River channelization has been completed, and the city is currently seeking commitments from private developers to anchor significant segments of the project. Private investment is expected to drive the planned development, which will include retail shops, hotel and office space, and entertainment and recreational facilities.

The collection consists primarily of oversize drawings and presentation panels.