Tempe vs. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport
Brief disclaimer: I don’t have a dog in this fight and don’t have an opinion, other that I’m a big fan of the steaks at Monti’s La Casa Vieja in Tempe next to Tempe Town Lake.
Back in April Michael Monti, owner of Monti’s La Casa Vieja steakhouse in Tempe, sold the historic building that is his restaurant as well as the two-plus acres on which the building sets to developers.
Following the recent lead of Tempe real estate expansion - the city’s landlocked, so build up when you can’t build out - the investor and development company announced plans for a 26-story tower to be named “100 South Mill Avenue.”
There’s only one small problem: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
(Switch the map to Hybrid or Satellite for the best picture)
The Federal Aviation Association has expressed concerns about the 300-foot height of the proposed tower so close to the end of the runway. Phoenix city officials are upset because they don’t want anything to potentially hinder the airport’s operation. Tempe city officials are upset because they don’t believe anyone, let alone Phoenix, should tell them what their city’s skyline should look like.
Other cities have (in)conveniently parked high-rises at the end of runways; San Diego is one that leaps immediately to mind. (And it’s one of the reasons I’ll only fly there if I’m either heavily sedated or rather drunk.)
The latest round of maneuvering was documented (more or less) in the Arizona Republic last week. Michael Monti answered back briefly on his own blog.
That high-rise buildings could become an impediment to large airplanes trying to land on narrow strips of asphalt just behind their foundations seems like common sense. But how high does the building have to be to be a legitimate threat?
Does the 300-foot wall I build on my property impact my neighbor’s home? Quite likely. But don’t I have the right to do whatever I want on my own land (HOA arguments aside for the time being?)
I suppose this is why attorneys make a lot of money regardless of what side they take.
Technorati Tags: Phoenix real estate, Sky Harbor Airport
Popularity: 8% [?]
