Design Competition Tasked With Finding New Development Life for Dry Phoenix Riverbed

The passing of Senator John McCain has reinvigorated the Rio Reimagined project.

1 minute read

September 16, 2018, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


ARIZONA RESERVOIR

Tempe Town Lake, where the Salt River passes through Tempe, Arizona. | Tim Roberts Photography / Shutterstock

"A new campaign is calling on architects and city planners to pitch redevelopment ideas for the Rio Salado and communities surrounding it," reports Victor Ren.

"The Phoenix-metro chapter of the American Institute of Architects has partnered with Arizona State University and the late Sen. John McCain's office to create a competition for redevelopment of the Salt River," adds Ren. The competition has grown out of the "Rio Reimagined" redevelopment idea touted as a passion project of Senator McCain. "McCain had said the entire Salt River could create a lasting legacy throughout the Valley, comparing it to the San Antonio River Walk," according to Ren.

An earlier article by Jessica Boehm details Senator McCain's idea for the redevelopment project. "McCain wanted to bring life back to the riverbed with a project that could rival or even surpass the famous San Antonio Riverwalk and could be one of the most significant environmental and economic additions in Phoenix history," writes Boehm.

Boehm also covered Rio Reimagined in December 2017, after Senator McCain spoke to a group of Arizona State University students about the idea.

Friday, September 14, 2018 in Arizona Republic

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