An Arizona Coyotes hockey arena, hotels, apartments, restaurants and retail will not move forward at Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway now that residents have voted to decline the Tempe Entertainment District.
As of 8 p.m. tonight, the Maricopa County Elections Department released its first count of votes for the three propositions on the ballot:
Proposition 301: 16,193 No; 12,738 Yes
Proposition 302: 15,681 No; 12,208 Yes
Proposition 303: 15,981 No; 12,004 Yes
Maricopa County Elections will update the count of votes Wednesday and throughout the week. Tuesday’s results include votes cast before Election Day. The City Council is scheduled to meet June 1 to canvass, or officially accept, the results of the election.
The Tempe City Council released the following statement. “Tempe voters have spoken and we respect their voices. Our unanimous vote in November 2022 to move the Tempe Entertainment District forward, after months of due diligence and negotiations, showed our enthusiasm for this project and our belief that it was in the best interests of the community. Enough residents did not share our view and we accept this result.
The Arizona Coyotes have been good partners in this effort. We believe Alex Meruelo, Xavier Gutierrez and the whole organization have put forward their best for our community and for this proposal. We are grateful for the resounding community support from past Mayors and City Councils, from the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Tempe Tourism, the Black Chamber of Arizona and so many more.
It’s time to move forward. Above all, we as Tempe residents are neighbors and friends who can determine where we will go next. This fall we will offer public input opportunities to begin creating a path forward for this important property.”
“Tonight I am grateful for all the community members who got engaged and expressed their views about the Tempe Entertainment District at the ballot box. This is why we as a City Council were determined to put these matters before voters so they could have their say. As Tempeans, we are united in our passion for this amazing city and I believe we will move forward together,” said Mayor Corey Woods.
For election results, visit Maricopa County Elections.
