TEMPE, AZ-Backhoes and bulldozers are at work at Liberty Center at Rio Salado, the new sustainable mixed-use business park under development by Liberty Property Trust in Tempe at Priest Road and Rio Salado Parkway. The company is readying the location for construction with the recent approval of its site plan by the City of Tempe.

“Rising demand for larger, contiguous spaces is the catalyst for our quick start,” said John DiVall,senior vice president and city manager for Liberty's Arizona region. “We have submitted plans for our first office building to the city and anticipate starting development of both that building and the main entrance to the park in the fourth quarter. Interest from current and prospective tenants is growing quickly, so we're eager to begin to bring the vision of this park to life.”

In 2012, Liberty Property Trust was selected by the City of Tempe as the developer for the 100 acre site located at Priest Road and Rio Salado Parkway. Liberty Center at Rio Salado is centrally located in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, offers unparalleled visibility from Arizona Route 143 and Red Mountain Loop 202, and is within minutes of Sky Harbor International Airport. The location is less than five miles from the company's fully leased 1.2 million square foot business park Liberty Cotton Center. In addition to office, flex and industrial space, DiVall notes that the plans call for hotel, restaurant and retail locations.