The Tempe City Council is hoping to spur development by annexing part of a county island that they say has become an eyesore.
The 78 acre parcel of land is north of the Loop 202 and east of Scottsdale Road. The Tempe City Council recently annexed 17 acres on the east side of the county island where a developer plans to build 650 new apartment units.
Tempe City Council member Jennifer Adams led the push for annexing the area. She said she spoke to residents in the during her campaign who wanted to see the property cleaned up.
“I hope it will spur a large park," she said. "I think we’ll probably have some mixed-use, some retail, and all kinds of new services for the residents of North Tempe.”
Adams says if the development is successful it could lead to more annexations by the city.
Construction is set to begin in March.
