This week’s tour of Downtown Mesa provided by the DMA - Downtown Mesa Association - was quite a surprise. A resident of Mesa for the last 8 years and being active in downtown events, meetings, and programs - I thought I had knowledge of most of what downtown offers and it’s history.I learned a lot and I am so glad I took the opportunity to participate in the annual Downtown Mesa bus tour to help me understand the Downtown Mesa district and the progress underway.DMA members on board included DMA Board Chair Craig Prouty, President Tom Verploegen, Secretary, and Community Coordinator Dave Wilson. The Association is a private non-profit group that promotes and manages the downtown area and they are doing a great job! So many positive effects, many I’m sure most are not aware of. Good news - Restaurants! There are 27 eating establishments downtown - this coming week 28 with Prouty’s new "S Bistro" on Main St.The new courthouse will be at 1st Ave. & Pomeroy and will tie into the parking structure. The Mesa Police Department will be able to utilize the existing courthouse with units such as the crime lab - one of a few accredited across the U.S. The Light Rail in general at Sycamore or 1st - Main to be determined specifically depending on other projects like MCC. As for Education - MCC State-of-Art 21st Century Downtown Campus ultimately 10,000 students, Digital, Network & IT, Telecommunications, Cabling, Advanced Tech Center, joint MCC-City of Mesa: Library facilities, Fire Dept. Educational Programming, MCC alliances with health care providers, partnerships for specialized Baccalaureate Degrees, ASU Fine Arts related campus and Foundry. Our auto dealer, Brown & Brown Chevrolet seemingly remains downtown instead of relocating to freeway exposure as many other have done.A new Super Mercado at Country Club and University Dr. SE corner, plus a new Taco Bell at Country Club and Main St. NE corner. Pete’s Fish and Chips on Mesa Drive bought property just south of their establishment to redevelop. Coffee Talk just north of Main on Robson has new owners renaming this charming place "Inside the Bungalow". The Industrial areas are south of 2nd Ave. down Mesa Drive west of Broadway - the railroad pays an assessment to use an area that over the last 3 weeks the storm winds caused a loss of 100 trees - the area is being cleaned up and trees will be replaced. A mural is painted along one building that brings some beauty into the area.High density residential may be developed at Mesa Drive and University. There are estimates of 39,000 cars that travel University Drive everyday. We drove through historic neighborhoods - West 2nd St. - Robson St. District - Wilbur District - noticing the care in preservation and those currently fixing up their home, demonstrating here and throughout downtown that a well-maintained area cuts down on the homeless. Items of Interest - The Downtown Post Office has been named the most used out of 50 nationwide, currently at 12. Paz de Christo and St. Vincent de Paul was moved from Main St. 16 years ago to Broadway and Country Club, the old EVIT site is now Mesa property.If you like Numbers: Total outer and inner perimeter of new commercial construction or renovations since 1985 is 98, existing in 2006 is 151, 159 new commercial or major renovations, 251 commercial businesses in core in 2006, with 15 major constructions, major renovation - expansions, and 30 manufacturing, light assembly, warehousing, wholesale in 2006.The City of Mesa Downtown is a prestigious, marketable, business oriented, educationally influenced, and a residential friendly place we can all take pride in. Take the time to look at their web site you’ll be pleased at what you find! The Square Mile with Unique Style is University Drive to Broadway, Country Club Drive to Mesa Drive. The biggest impact on downtown Mesa is the MAC - Mesa Art Center - 22 buildings have been bought in the last 4 years with 17 renovations. Twenty years prior none had sold and 7% remain. There are now more inquiries than can be filled including condominium folk interested in building.
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