Tempe AZ is in a land-locked condition which presented a challenge for providing recreational, environmental and economic opportunities for this community. The Rio Salado Project was begun that transformed a barren utility corridor into a beautiful greenbelt with recreation, entertainment and development opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy. It’s the famous Town Lake. The lake provides the largest usable body of water available to the largest population in Arizona, with resorts, restaurants, retail shops, marina’s, parks and just about every other recreational use possible. Today, more than 2 million people visit Town Lake each year to boat, fish, and attend a variety of festivals. It’s also one of Tempe’s best development sites for Tempe real estate.
Density and building heights have been increased to maximize land uses along with mixed-use developments. This provides a balance of hotel, restaurant, retail, office, light industrial, residential, entertainment and commercial recreational venues.
More than twenty agencies and the support of thousands of residents and business organizations have been fundamental to the success of this great project. All of these groups have joined together to carefully blend innovative development with artwork and environmentally sensitive projects which allow The Rio Salado Project to exemplify the history, culture and future for all of us in the Sonoran desert.
The Prehistoric Hohokam Native Americans were the first to create a desert valley canal system. Signs of their culture has remained through the ruins of their dwellings such as unearthed pottery shards and artifacts and carved petro glyphs that exist in the rocks. This canal system is the foundation for the canals seen all through the valley
The Rio Salado Project reclaims over 800 acres of land from the flood plain which enhanced the quality of life of Valley residents. The Rio Salado Project provides increased recreation for residents, tourist attractions, and economic growth. The Tempe Town Lake, which is between 800-to-1,200 feet wide and two miles long, is the closest lake available to the largest population residing in Arizona.
