Vision
Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. is the private, non-profit organization that manages the Mill Avenue District and is responsible for the vibrancy and excellence of the cultural, lifestyle, and commerce experience in the District. DTC works in partnership with the City of Tempe to increase the value of downtown Tempe through enhanced management and promotional services on behalf of DTC members and other downtown stakeholders.
DTC has a full time professional staff of eleven and is presided over by an elected 31-member Board of Directors and 5 advisors, representing all stakeholders of the downtown community. The organization focuses on such issues as transportation, public safety, district aesthetics, marketing, events, membership services, economic development and design.
DTC began operations in January 1994. The next enhanced services district continuation process is scheduled for 2008.
During the 1970s, the city of Tempe made a firm commitment to redevelop its downtown. These improvements brought an increase in economic activity, boosting both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
In the 1980s, along with downtown Tempe's success came concerns regarding public safety and the availability of parking. At the time, the City lacked the necessary resources to resolve these concerns and wanted the private sector to share the burden to manage the downtown area and to ensure its success as an economic engine.
The creation of an enhanced services district was agreed upon and the Downtown Tempe Community was created to manage the Mill Avenue District. The special assessment district that funds DTC activities must be continued by the City of Tempe and the commercial property owners of the district every five years. The current budget is in excess of $2.3 million.
MILL AVENUE DISTRICT VISION
Mill Avenue District: Unsurpassed as an eclectic, authentic urbane oasis of 24-hour culture, lifestyle and commerce…the place you never want to leave.
DOWNTOWN TEMPE COMMUNITY, INC. MISSION
DTC, Inc., will transform Mill Avenue District and ensure the vitality and excellence of the urban experience into the future.
CORE VALUES AND QUALITIES
These values and qualities are the essential core of the Mill Avenue District experience, and express the perceptions that we want to convey to shoppers, visitors, residents, employees, and guests who come here. We want everything they see, hear, feel, taste, smell, and experience to reflect these basic values:
INVITING - Welcoming, friendly, clean and safe
CREATIVE - Smart, artistic, and culturally diverse
EXCITING - Energetic, stimulating, and fun
RELEVANT - Memorable and meaningful
AUTHENTIC - Real, genuine, having a true historic value