Via City of Tempe/ Motley Design Group
By Lee Shappell | Tempe Tribune
Tempe City Council appeared last month to favor an adaptive reuse project at 8th Street and Dorsey Lane that could turn a long-abandoned, historic-eligible property into a restaurant, food-truck plaza and large outdoor patio that would be a neighborhood gathering place.
Owners of Marlatt’s Garage, built in 1922 and last used in 1973 as an automotive repair shop and gas station, are seeking a General-Plan amendment and zoning amendment to make it happen.
Because the request requires the General Plan tweak, it needs at least five favorable votes – a super majority –after the second public hearing and Council vote, scheduled for Feb. 5.
Mayor Corey Woods, Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid and Councilman Randy Keating spoke favorably of the project during the initial public hearing Jan. 22.
“I’m very excited about this,” Woods said. “I’ve been driving by that garage for 20-plus years now, and I’ve always thought it might be a really great adaptive-reuse opportunity.
“It’s great to see that there’s a plan that’s being moved forward now to restore that building and activate it and make it something that Tempe residents and visitors alike can enjoy.”
