A look at how Tempe Town Lake transformed a dangerous floodplain into a thriving recreation and development location.

1. Tempe Town Lake: A Sustainable Oasis

3. Economic Development

4. Recreation Opportunities

6. The Lake Channel - 1997

12. Hayden Ferry Lakeside:A waterfront urban oasis in the desert

14. 30 minute commute for nearly 4 million Phoenicians

15. 5 major freeways within 2 miles; half a million past the project daily

17. Organically grown, pedestrian friendly downtown connected to lake

19. High-rise construction would be located atop an aquifer

20. Stakeholder concerns on adjacent Native American Lands

21. Project directly lined up with two runways at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

22. Reducing acoustic reverberation between buildings caused by flight path

24. Create an iconic architecture

25. Peak the interest of those flying over lake and freeway commuters

26. Engage “Corporate America” to work out of the box – ‘third space’

27. Establish a minimal carbon footprint

28. Engage all the human senses in a Disney-like manner

30. Reduced land cost to offset unusual construction costs

31. Expedited City Plan reviews

32. ASU partnership on 99- year leased land

34. FARs of 2.68

35. Annual assessments of $500,000+

36. Avg commercial parking ratio of 4/1000 sqft

37. 20% premium on construction

38. Sold 8-story tower for $53M or $265/ sqft

39. Sold 12-story tower for $93M or $296/ sqft

41. Standardize Caisson footing size

42. Consider retail uses as an amenity, not a revenue generator

43. Retain a good building code and ADA consultant

44. Stick to your expertise; joint venture with others

46. Lower carbon footprint, creation of a healthier environment.

47. World class tenants: Smith Barney, Metlife, KPMG, Microsoft