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Arizona Coyotes and supporters take Tempe venue pitch to voters

Flanked by brewery workers, a carpenter’s union and a quartet of former Tempe mayors, the Arizona Coyotes took their pitch for a new arena to voters Thursday via news conference. 

The group gathered in a Four Peaks Brewing Co. tasting room days after Phoenix sued to block the project, which would be constructed with an entertainment district.

Hugh Hallman negotiated for Tempe the would-be deal with the Coyotes to build on a landfill near Sky Harbor Airport. He called Phoenix’s claim that housing can’t be part of a project an abject lie. 

“Their lawsuit is a complete fabrication. And it is a political document, not a legal one,” Hallman said.

A judge has been assigned to the case, but no court date has been set.

A vote by Tempe residents on the project is scheduled for mid-May.

Alexis Meruelo, daughter of team owner Alex Meruelo, spoke for her father at the news conference. 

“This plan will not only bring a new permanent home to the Arizona Coyotes, but also bring great economic prosperity to the city of Tempe,” said Alexis Meruelo.

A website by a group of Tempe residents campaigning against the ballot measures notes that Alex Meruelo was outed for not paying taxes or rent when the Coyotes were in Glendale.

Matthew Casey has won Edward R. Murrow awards for hard news and sports reporting since he joined KJZZ as a senior field correspondent in 2015.