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Tempe holds special meeting over proposed Arizona Coyotes entertainment district

By Ignacio Ventura
Published: Friday, November 25, 2022 - 2:27pm

Arizona Coyotes Tempe arena development rendering
Arizona Coyotes
Rendering of the proposed Tempe Entertainment District that would house the new Arizona Coyotes arena.

The city of Tempe held a meeting this week detailing plans for a new Arizona Coyotes hockey arena and entertainment district. The City Council is expected to vote on whether to send the proposal to public referendum next week.

Team representatives outlined the project’s master plan, including traffic mitigation, land use and employment opportunities at the site near Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive. Here is Arizona Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez.

“We’re actually looking at jobs that will average about $50,000 a year, and the median salary we believe per our analysis for the city of Tempe is actually $34,000," he said.

Both supporters and opponents gave their perspectives at the three-hour meeting. Criticisms of the project included the site’s proximity to the airport and the potential for traffic congestion.

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