Even though Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the U.S. by population, the metropolitan area is still largely considered unwalkable. Transportation advances, like the light rail and rentable electric scooters, have developed more recently in the Phoenix metro area, but in a city that’s over 500 square miles, it’s not always enough to be practical. Culdesac challenges the idea of having to drive everywhere by building walkable communities.
Founded by Ryan Johnson, Culdesac Tempe is the first community by the company that is located on 17 acres of land off Apache Blvd. With leases starting at around $1,400 a month, the complex has units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The community calls itself “the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the United States.” Located next to the light rail while being a 15-minute bike ride from Arizona State University, Culdesac is the perfect place for students and young professionals.
“Communities should be designed around people, not cars. It’s safer, more ecologically friendly, enhances the community and greater supports local businesses,” says Culdesac resident Nolan Bradford. “Culdesac feels like an experiment to prove that a car free community can work in the most car centric city in America.”
Having a walkable community in a car-centric city is made possible by having necessities within the community and by having accessible transportation for going off campus, including e-bikes, the light rail, electric Bird scooters, an on-site fleet of carshare vehicles, Waymo autonomous vehicles and Lyft.
“When you get to walk places, you slow down the speed of life and you get to see more people, casually saying ‘hi’ to your neighbor, actually spending that time reading or doing hobbies rather than sitting in traffic,” says Culdesac Government Relations & External Affairs Lead Erin Boyd.
Though there are no residential parking spaces in the community, it does have limited parking for visitors. Culdesac residents also receive a free Valley Metro Rail pass and enjoy 15% off all Lyft rides. The community has a bike shop on site, Waymo pick up and drop off zones, and a fleet of Envoy carshare vehicles. The community also has walking and cycling paths, plus secure bike storage rooms and private bike garages for residents.
“By our residents choosing to live without a private vehicle, they’re actually reducing their carbon footprint by over 50 percent. Even replacing a few car trips makes a big difference,” says Boyd.
On average, a car emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Each gallon of gas creates about 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide when burned. By switching to public transportation, communities can reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons every year, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Having car-free communities like Culdesac encourage sustainable transportation by advocating for public and alternative modes of transportation.
“Culdesac gives people the opportunity to get rid of their car and live an alternative lifestyle that would absolutely save people money,” says Bradford.
With car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, repairs and registration, maintaining a vehicle can cost around $10,000 a year, according to AAA. Switching to a scooter or taking the bus can cut down on expenses. Individuals can save almost $10,000 yearly by taking public transportation instead of driving.
Culdesac has plenty of on-site amenities, including a grocery store, restaurant, coffee shop, community garden and weekly night market. It also has features beyond what you would expect in other residential complexes, like event spaces, coworking areas, a dog park, refrigerated delivery room, 50+ shared courtyards with BBQ grills and fountains, public art, a two-story fitness center, and a pool and hot tub. Culdesac is not just for full-time residents, it also offers short-term stays in private guest suites. The community also holds events and outings for residents.
“It’s very close-knit right now mostly because there’s less than 20 people living here. I believe there’s expected to be around 1,000 when it’s done,” says Bradford. “Culdesac has created this very tight knit community by offering potlucks, trips across town, and classes. This place still has a long way to go but I love seeing it change everyday.”
One of the most exciting community aspects at Culdesac is the weekly Little Cholla night market. Every Thursday from 6 p.m. –9 p.m., Culdesac hosts open-air market events featuring roller skating, K-pop, vintage clothes and more. The market is open to the public, not just the Culdesac community, and reopens for the season on Sept. 21 for Sustainability Night. The community is welcome to eat, shop and participate in activities like gardening and a clothing swap. A $5 credit usable toward vendors is given to everyone who arrives via alternative transportation. Visit the market’s Instagram for more information on weekly events.
“I love being able to be a part of this concept and should it work, see it grow in other states and cities,” says Bradford. “It’s not for everybody but I hope that Culdesac shows people that you don’t have to have a car to survive and there are alternatives out there. We create the demand.”
Culdesac is located at 2025 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281. Learn more at culdesac.com.
Photos courtesy Culdesac Tempe
