A proposed entertainment district and potential site of a new hockey arena for the Arizona Coyotes is one step closer to becoming a reality. Despite sending pamphlets to 100,000 homes in the East Valley, and airport officials appearing at multiple Tempe City Council meetings to oppose the project, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport has changed its stance.

In a written statement, Sky Harbor spokesperson Julie Rodriguez said airport officials met with Tempe representatives and the developer to ensure the airport is protected if the project moves forward. That would include compensation for any losses incurred by the airport, which is owned and operated by Phoenix.

Rodriguez added Sky Harbor is working with Tempe to resolve different interpretations of the 1994 intergovernmental agreement on noise mitigation and flight procedures at the airport.