The construction of the high-rise apartment complext at Tempe Town Lake, known as The Pier, has been met with increased scrutiny following another round of worker-safety fines. According to a report by ABC15, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) imposed fines totalling $17,517 after an inspection this past May uncovered safety violations including unprotected 12-foot holes and the use of electrical pumps lacking ground-fault circuit interrupters.
In light of this development, it is important to note that the Tempe project is part of a much larger, $1.8-billion mixed-use development. Navigating the complexities of building along the lake, contractor Clayco is pressing forward with the construction of three multifamily towers, which, as ENR outlined, have posed significant foundational challenges due to the proximity of the water table.
While this marks progress on the ambitious residential towers, ADOSH's recent fine brings back attention to the labor conditions at the construction site. Brian Hudson, ADOSH Director, stated that "Working near water that is the requirement," emphasizing the necessity of adhering to safety standards in such environments, as reported by ABC15. This is not the developer's first altercation with safety regulations; last year Springbrook SGC faced fines of $40,177, which they are reportedly contesting and have yet to pay.
Rob Fransway, who owns the developer, Springbrook SGC, had previously disputed some of the violations from last year’s inspection, stating that "In all my years of building - I’ve built 6,000 units - this has been a really hard project," Fransway told ABC15. The project has faced numerous challenges including delays in equipment delivery and finding qualified labor.
The final phase of the residential towers is expected to culminate in mid-2026, as per ENR, potentially setting a new precedent for how luxury living can coalesce with the environmental and infrastructural demands of a lakeside urban project, while also addressing the urgency of upholding fundamental workers' rights and safety amidst the pursuit of progress.
