Tempe city council could make it easier to open up businesses in old buildings

TEMPE, Arizona — The Tempe City Council will vote Thursday on a new ordinance aimed at making the process of adaptive reuse — which is when old buildings are repurposed for new businesses — more accessible.

The ordinance would ease city building codes when being applied to older buildings where it might be difficult or unfeasible to bring them up to modern standards, according to Community Development Director Dave Nakagawara.

“(The ordinance) makes it easier for existing buildings to get new life,” he said.