A dormant shopping center steps from Tempe’s Dorsey Lane light rail stop is set for a major revival. The property will be converted into Dorsey Station, a mixed-use development featuring roughly 400 apartments — with an unusually high share of affordable units in a rapidly growing corridor.
Developers say about 90% of the planned homes will be income-restricted, making the project one of the largest concentrations of affordable housing near transit in the region. Alongside the residential space, plans call for a full-service grocery store and an on-site food pantry, amenities intended to support both future tenants and surrounding neighborhoods that have long lacked convenient access to fresh food.
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, setting the stage for a blend of transit-oriented housing and essential community services on a site that has been empty for years. The project aligns with Tempe’s broader push to expand affordability near major transportation routes, a strategy city leaders say helps reduce both cost burdens and commute times.
More details about the redevelopment plan can be found through The Arizona Republic, which first reported on the project here.
