Rio Salado, a vision of the transformation of our dry salt river bed to
many the father of this concept almost 30 years ago is Dean Jim Elmore,
Dean Emeritus of Asu's College of Architecture who oversaw the creation of
his students proposals. Following is a presentation by Dean Elmore of the
origins and visions that we know today as Rio. So
the Rio Salado project has progressed through four distinct eras,
including the present one under the leadership you see identified here
that began in the College of Architecture where our studio projects most
always dealt with local problems and local settings. During 1966 67 we
devoted our year long design program to what became the Rio Salado project
in the fall of 1966. The fifth year design studio accepted the challenge
of combining flood control with environmental design to convert the river
bed from a scar to the major asset of the metropolitan area. In the spring
semester, the other four levels designed projects in the new Rio Salado
setting. In their research, the students came across an old map on which
the Salt River was labeled Rio Salado. They produced the graphics for the
cover and much of the text for the first brochure in the central of the
five panels portraying the 38 mile length from Granite Reef to the Agua
Fria. They proposed water features just north of a su just below the
airport and Astride Central Avenue in Phoenix. Also possible development
at the I 10 river crossing immediately following the initial presentation
to about 80 business and civic leaders. On March 9th, 1967 7 of those 1st
16 students discussed the project with two members of the Los Angeles
District Office of the Corps of Engineers and Rod mcmullin, General
manager of the Salt River project. Speaking not in this picture is
Professor Bob mcconnell, the students, instructor critic who later served
as Dean of Architecture at the University of Arizona, but he later joined
us for an October 1984 Arizona highways article and picture. He's fifth
from the right shortly after the first showing the city of Phoenix posted
signs using the students graphics.
In 1968 the new fifth year studio explored and designed in greater detail
. A limited segment of the river that just north of the A SU campus.
Finally, Rio Salado three summed it up at the conclusion of each of the
three study phases. The proposals were presented to about 80 public
officials and interested business, professional and civic leaders of the
communities along the river. At the day long Rio Salado three conference
on November 7th, 1969 the participants listed in the final college report
resolved that Valley forward, be asked to assume responsibility for
coordinating and prosecution of the Rio Salado project. Making maximum use
of all public and private entities concerned and involved.
The Valley Forward Association was just forming in 1969. It is a region
wide nonprofit business association whose mission is to promote aesthetic
, cultural, environmental and quality of life interests in the Valley of
the Sun. I was a founding member and was asked to chair its Rio Salado
steering committee during the seventies Valley forward, served as
custodian facilitator, evangelist, cheerleader and sponsor of several
major studies.
Rio Salado phases one and two were completed in 1972 and 1974 by Daniel
Mann Johnson and Mendenhall, Los Angeles for the Maricopa Association of
Governments and Valley forward with the support you see here, they
addressed interests such as these,
they provided a master concept for the whole 40 mile length with some
detail on pilot projects in Phoenix and Tempe.
Also in 1974 came the first involvement of the Arizona legislature with a
$100,000 appropriation for land acquisition made available to local
jurisdictions on a matching basis. The city of Tempe acquired the entire
amount again. In 1977 the College of Architecture became directly involved
Rio Salado phase three, a $17,800 study for the Corps of Engineers was
based not on an approved project. But rather on one of the flood control
alternatives than under consideration by the Corps, a major charge of the
study was to identify recreational benefits that might be realized with
the advent of flood control to many Rio Salado is perceived as a
recreation project to a great extent. It is that it is in town recreation
, right where the people are and recreation generates its own economic
benefits. The phase three study completed during the decade of valley
forward responsibility suggested the variety of specific uses at specific
sites along the river such as these stables, Marina,
the Red Mountain freeway is here now with three wide passages under it.
Anticipating trail connections to Papago Park, the zoo and the botanical
gardens,
golf, the A SU cars and golf course is here. Now we got that one right
and it pictured other water related and trail oriented activities that
would become possible with flood control
as a key achievement of its stewardship valley forward with a new logo was
instrumental in bringing about the next era.
In 1980 the Arizona legislature created the Rio Salado Development
District to determine feasibility, prepare a master plan and recommend a
funding mechanism. The nine members of the board were appointed by the
several affected jurisdictions. I was appointed by the president of the
Senate. The General manager of the Maricopa County Flood Control District
was named ex officio with its principal consultants, Carl Lynch,
associates of Cambridge Massachusetts, the Rio Salado Development District
accomplished four major tasks. First, it clarified feasibility issues
including flood management, water supply, landfill treatment, social
concerns such as providing for people and neighborhoods affected by change
and other concerns such as continuing the mining of sand and gravel for as
long as it is the highest and best use. Second, it prepared a master plan
and provided further definition.
Third, it estimated costs and benefits in the process advised by
economists at the Valley National Bank. The refs investment firm and an
advisory committee of experts in real estate finance and development. The
land acquisition and development costs were estimated to be 1.5 billion
and the operating costs 544 million, both over 25 years and both
approximations inflated. The 25 year revenues inflated were estimated to
be approximately 1.3 billion from a direct property tax of 25 cents per
$100 of assessed value and 1.4 billion from sales and leases of land
acquired early and increased in value as development progressed. The
intent was that Rio Salado would be one enormous development operated
through many years like a private enterprise. But for the public benefit,
finally, the district put the proposal before the voters in Maricopa
County with the assistance of a separately funded campaign organization.
It promoted the project in meetings and media all across the Valley right
down to campaign buttons and enjoyed considerable support. But with all it
wasn't enough in the 1987 election, the proposal failed by a margin of 2
to 1.
The concept of Rio Salado was not turned down the method of financing. It
was now in Phoenix and especially in Tempe. Rio Salado is happening
through the normal processes of city building. Rio Salado will accommodate
and be paid for by growth, substantial growth, anticipated growth. Rio
Salado was a very large infill area. As suggested by this old picture, Rio
Salado can compete with other infill sites in the valley for growth that
might might otherwise go to farmlands and desert at the periphery. In the
tradition of sprawl, Rio Solaro is simply a wise way of continuing to
build our regional city
tempe's mayors and city councils. It's Rio Salado Advisory Commission
formed in 1979. It's Rio Salado overlay district established in 1982 and
its staff including the Rio Salado project manager appointed in 1988 all
have done and planned great things. The Rio Salado Parkway was so
designated in 1975 when northbound traffic on Mill Avenue was still in the
riverbed as a joint project with the College of Architecture and
Environmental Design at a su A study and model of the Tempe. Rio Salado
Park were prepared in 1988
the river was channelized between 1989 and 92 resulting in over 800 acres
of land now being protected from flooding and ready for future Rio Salado
development. The northbound Mill Avenue bridge was opened in November 1993
the Rio Salado Parkway has been relocated and improved in the area north
of Sun Devil Stadium in good time for the 1996 Fiesta Bowl and Super Bowl
30. But the full Tempe accomplishment must be told about in a separate
presentation
in Phoenix. There is now considerable commercial industrial development in
areas adjoining or even within previously suggested district boundaries,
there's progress
and there's a very good start on the two features that can best give
increased visibility to the project and demonstrate it as a co ordinated
regional endeavor. They are the parkway and a logo.
Six miles of the evolving parkway exist. I urge you to take a drive on it
start at 32nd street in Phoenix where it's necessary. Crossing of I 10,
the Maricopa freeway is already in use. Go east on University Drive to
52nd Street in Tempe. This 2.5 miles can be additionally identified with
appropriate graphics and signage as the Rio Salado Parkway. Some of it is
now a mature demonstration of the ideal go north on 52nd street which
becomes the Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe
and on along the river for 3.5 miles to M clinic Hayden, you'll see the
long term possibilities.
An excellent logo was adopted by the district either right side up or
upside down. It shows its initials, a green, lower case R suggesting oasis
type development along both shores of a meandering stream. The blue si
can't think of any logo that is more representative of what it represents.
But whether that logo or another, there should be just one identifying the
Rio Salado project and Parkway from the Gila River to Granite Reef and the
Lakes beyond using an agreed logo as its basis, an agreed system of
graphics with an agreed set of design specifications can distinguish the
40 mile Rio Salado Parkway through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa as a shared
regional feature that celebrates there our common heritage. It can rival
the long famous yellow brick road, that intention can be declared and
initiated at any time.
In due course, we will see a familiar logo at all river crossings along
the parkway and marking trails, recreational facilities and all other Rio
Salado things, hot air balloons, Frisbees T shirts, whatever the district
logo is now in place at the Central Avenue and other crossings in Phoenix
,
replacing the original
in the words of the students. Nearly 30 years ago, Rio Salado has given
Phoenix its life. Now, Phoenix Reed Metropolitan Phoenix can return life
to the river and benefit greatly from that act unquote.
We do have the talent and the energy to do such great things. Our
riverside cities, Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa have demonstrated this with what
they have done and are doing in their downtown.
This picture suggests in a poignant way that we also have the innate
desire to do good things.
We still have our desert and our mountains and our sunlight and we still
have our river in all its aspects and we've just reviewed them. The
possibilities and opportunities are all still there to respect it,
celebrate it and exploit it beneficially for our regional good. After a
hesitant start, there's progress and promise.