Photo: Lakefront plan for ASU Urban Lakefront District

In an article published in The Phoenix Business Journal, ASU developer going vertical with first phase of athletic facilities district, ASU is rolling out plans for19-acre development project east of Sun Devil Stadium in the fall. The University owns a massive 330 acres next to the University that they will build-out through a developer, Catellus. Catellus will develop the property for commercial and private use which, in turn, will provide property and fund facilities for the ASU athletic department. The massive district is envisioned to provide continuous funding for ASU Athletics. 

It has long been rumored that ASU might share a new facility in downtown Phoenix with the NHL’s Coyotes, but this would seem to indicate an on-campus arena is in the cards for Sun Devil hockey.

When discussing the initial project, John Creer, ASU vice president for Real Estate development said, “This is going to be a walkable development, and will set the tone and scale for the remainder of the acreage. Across the street, we see development of a hockey arena, a smaller, perhaps gymnastics arena. This creates a sports district entrance to the area.”

The development of the full 330 acres for the athletics District is expected to be built in phases over a 20-year period. The District includes some current sports complexes and the old Karsten golf course east of Sun Devil Stadium and Rural Road which will be redeveloped  into an urban development ‘district’. While the timing of the arena was not stated in the article, it is clear that it will need to happen by the time the Sun Devils join a conference in the next few years.

In another article by College Hockey News, ASU is currently negotiating final details with the NCHC to be the ninth member. Many college hockey sources speculate that a suitable venue is driving the Sun Devils entry into the league so it is critical for ASU to develop a viable arena plan before joining the NCHC.

The Big 10 has already rejected ASU in a bid for their own expansion.