ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DOWNTOWN MESA: IT STARTS AT THE HEART Mesa, AZ is the 38th largest City in the U.S. with 460,000 residents, and its urban core, Downtown Mesa, is experiencing a renaissance. Downtown boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene, a multitude of shopping venues, international cuisine from cafes to fine dining, warm hospitality and is a great place to play. Downtown Mesa is an exceptional investment opportunity providing a large collection of fascinating people and places that are found only in Mesa – and uniquely Downtown.
DOWNTOWN Imagine. INVEST. INSPIRE.
DOWNTOWN MESA BY THE NUMBERS In one square-mile, Downtown Mesa is bustling with activity.
ONE
Square-Mile
FOUR
Colleges & Universities
FOUR
Museums & Arts Centers
19
Minute drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
31
Restaurants
40
Median Age
383
Hotel Rooms
665
Businesses
2,415
Residential Population
6,100
Parking Spaces Downtown
Located in the heart of Mesa, Downtown is the cultural core of Arizona’s third largest city offering unparalleled investment opportunities in an active, transit-oriented, progressive environment. INVEST IN DOWNTOWN MESA
Downtown Mesa is in the center of a large, talented workforce and accessible by three freeways, light rail, and a robust public transportation system. Nearly 313,000 employees are located within a 15-minute drive, 62 percent of whom are white-collar professionals. Major industries of employment located Downtown include government, education, advanced business services and retail. More than 16,000 employees commute Downtown during the work week.
Plan for Growth
The City of Mesa Central Main Plan identifies resources necessary to facilitate the development of property along the light rail line. The vision for Downtown Mesa focuses on development and redevelopment opportunities, encompassing mixed-use, higher density, and transit-oriented development (TOD). The Plan allows zoning and entitlement flexibility for quality projects. In addition, the City of Mesa owns and operates the water, wastewater, electric, gas and trash utilities in Downtown and can package attractive utility service plans for businesses.
Transit-Oriented Development
9,230
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a walkable, mixed-use form of development, typically located within a one-half mile radius of a transit line, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) station or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop. TOD utilizes existing infrastructure, optimizes use of the transit network, and creates mobility options for residents and visitors of the community.
16,341
Approximately 20 miles of existing light rail line serves the cities of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. A new 3.1 mile extension along Main Street in Downtown Mesa opened fall of 2015. Stretching from Sycamore Street to Mesa Drive on Main Street, this light rail extension is a key asset Downtown. Three stations through the square mile provide passengers connectivity to high quality housing developments and employment, as well as to a plethora of shops, restaurants, museums and other cultural attractions. Estimates project the Central Mesa light rail line will average 9,230 weekday riders who will work, live, play and study in Downtown Mesa.
Daily Workweek Light Rail Ridership through Downtown
Daytime Workers
2.5 Million
Annual Visitors for Downtown Special Events
2
Downtown Mesa’s square mile boasts more than 2,400 residents, four colleges and universities, and more than 650 businesses.
The City of Mesa owns desirable properties that carry high-density zoning within one-half mile of the three Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations on Main Street, offering ideal development opportunities along the light rail line for public-private partnerships for qualified projects.
A Destination for Higher Education
Downtown Mesa is an epicenter for public and private liberal arts college experiences. More than 2,000 students study Downtown at Mesa Community College and Northern Arizona University campuses. In 2013, Benedictine and Wilkes Universities invested Downtown by opening new campuses and expect to enroll a combined total of nearly 1,500 full-time students by 2018.
Mesa Center for Higher Education
Attracted by light rail, pedestrian-friendly streetscape, vibrant downtown culture, and a supportive community, these elements were key drivers for the schools to locate in Downtown Mesa. The synergy between academia, industry and government has created strong partnerships which produce opportunities for students to learn in ways unmatched in Arizona.
Live and Play Here Downtown Mesa has housing options suitable for any style or stage of life – ranging from apartments to single-family homes. The City attracts students, young professionals, families, and empty nesters with its pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined residential areas, boutiques, restaurants, cultural assets, unique charm and historic architecture including examples of Colonial Revival, Tudor, Victorian, Mission Revival and Craftsman Bungalow styles. Downtown is an appealing arts district that patrons of all ages can enjoy – day or night. The Mesa Arts Center (MAC) is a unique, architecturally stunning, international award winning facility located in the heart of Downtown Mesa. Comprised of more than 212,000 sq. ft., the MAC is Arizona’s largest arts center, with four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Over 400,000 patrons visit the MAC each year to enjoy top-notch live entertainment, worldclass art exhibitions, and interactive educational classes. In addition to the MAC , Downtown is home to a myriad of cultural amenities including the i.d.e.a. Museum (an interactive children’s venue), Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa Historical Museum, and Arizona Museum of Natural History, attracting an average of 255,000 visitors every year. These museums are located just steps from each other, allowing visitors to easily explore Mesa’s diverse arts, history, and culture. Along the way, enjoy a self-guided walking tour of Mesa’s growing permanent sculpture collection featuring 38 pieces lining Downtown’s sidewalks.
Encore on First – one of Downtown Mesa’s many housing options
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Foodies and shopping enthusiasts appreciate the eclectic and locally-owned flare of Downtown Mesa’s boutiques and restaurants. Mesa’s urban core is the perfect venue for more than 30 special events throughout the year, attracting visitors from around the state. Minutes away from Downtown Mesa, the City hosts two Major League Baseball teams for Cactus League Spring Training. The Chicago Cubs play at the brand-new Sloan Park, located approximately four miles north of Downtown at Mesa Riverview. In their 2014 opening season, the Cubs broke several Cactus League records including a single-season attendance record of nearly 214,000 fans. The Oakland A’s hosted their inaugural 2015 season at the newly-renovated Hohokam Stadium, 1.5 miles north of Downtown. Hohokam Stadium
3
Downtown Mesa 1
Arizona Museum of Natural History
UNIVERSITY
26.4
Marriott Mesa
3
i.d.e.a. Museum
3RD PL LEBARON
2
Benedictine University
6
5
Mesa Community College
Benedictine University, Mesa Campus
2ND ST
MORRIS
Northern Arizona University
29.6
4
4.4
1ST ST
2350
7
Mesa Amphitheater
8
Mesa Arts Center & Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum Mesa City Plaza
Mesa Arts Center
4
11
Mesa Historical Museum
12
Mesa Public Schools Headquarters
COUNTRY CLUB DR MORRIS
10
Mesa Convention Center
LIGHT RAIL
1ST AVE
87 Mesa Municipal Court
MAIN ST
15.0
6.4
31.3
9
LIGHT RAIL STATION
2ND AVE ROBSON
Mesa Amphitheatre
Mesa Center for Higher Education Wilkes University
LEBARON
6
3
BROADWAY RD
19.9
Average weekday traffic volume
4.0
1
PEPPER PL
9
LIGHT RAIL STATION
LIGHT RAIL STATION
980 11 12
13.7
2
5900
6.2 28.0
5.5
DREW ST
8
POMEROY
20.0
10.3
4
2ND ST
POMEROY
5
WILBUR
10
Expected number = of riders at that stop.
3RD PL PASADENA
DREW ST
7
980
25.7
CENTENNIAL WAY
SIRRINE
19.0 = in thousands per 24-hour period.
MESA DR
POMEROY
HIBBERT
3RD AVE
SIRRINE
CENTER
MACDONALD
2ND AVE
20.6
5
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE 5, 10, 15 minute drive time from Downtown Mesa Total Population 5-minute drive 10-minute drive 15-minute drive
2014 81,095 284,771 685,231
2019 85,672 301,462 720,949
2014 29 31 33
2019 30 32 34
Median Age 5-minute drive 10-minute drive 15-minute drive
Average Household Income 5-minute drive 10-minute drive 15-minute drive
2014 $44,862 $54,046 $62,489
2019 $50,893 $61,222 $71,058
Educational Attainment 25+ High School Graduate Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Graduate Degree
5-minute drive 23.1% 22.9% 6.4% 8.9% 3.7%
10-minute drive 21.2% 26.6% 8.1% 15.2% 7.4%
15-minute drive 19.2% 26.5% 8.5% 19.1% 10.6%
Labor Force 16+ Total White Collar Services Blue Collar
5-minute drive 10-minute drive 15-minute drive 31,974 123,044 312,695 40.1% 55.2% 62.1% 31.8% 24.8% 21.4% 28.1% 20.0% 16.5%
Source: Esri Community Profile 2014; U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2010 Summary File 1.
6
Why Locate in Downtown Mesa? Mesa, Arizona offers a competitive operating environment compared to other similar or larger sized markets. Potential Customers • Downtown Mesa averages 2.5 million visitors annually. • On a standard workday, more than 16,000 workers commute into Downtown Mesa.
Mesa Mormon Temple
• The busiest light rail stop in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area is at Mesa’s Sycamore/Main station, averaging nearly 1,000,000 riders per year.
Existing Infrastructure • Accessible lit and dark fiber, and DSL service from four carriers – SRP, Zayo, CenturyLink and Cox. • Fiber access to all major data centers and carrier network access points with virtually unlimited bandwidth. • City of Mesa-owned and operated water, wastewater, electric, gas and trash utilities within Downtown Mesa, and the City offers attractive service plans.
Connectivity • Light rail through Downtown Mesa connects the City with the cities of Tempe and Phoenix.
Mesa’s Light Rail
• Loop 202 circles Mesa, while US 60 and SR 87 bisect the City. Just minutes away are Interstates 10 and 17, and Loop 101. • Valley Metro operates several bus routes and multiple stops through Downtown Mesa. • In close proximity to the region’s many transportation arteries, while also boasting a pedestrian-friendly Downtown.
Workforce • Nearly 313,000 people in the workforce within a 15-minute drive. • Over 62 percent of the workforce, within a 15-minute drive, is employed in white collar occupations. • Proximity to higher education institutions – a strong resource for young skilled talent. • Close to East Valley Institute of Technology – a career and technical school offering more than 30 occupational training programs and a significant partner for companies looking for trained talent.
Skilled workforce
7
20 E Main, Suite 200 PO Box 1466 Mesa, Arizona 85211-1466 480.644.2398 econdev.info@mesaaz.gov www.mesaaz.gov/economic
EMPOWERED TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development works closely with clients throughout all phases of the development process and looks forward to helping you build and grow your company in Mesa. Metropolitan Phoenix-Mesa
Peoria
303
101
Surprise
17
60
Gr
an
El Mirage Litchfield 303 Park
Glendale
ve
.
Avondale 10
Tolleson
85
Salt Lake City
Reno San Francisco NV Las Vegas CA
48
17
Phoenix & Mesa
Yuma Tucson Rocky Point/ 19 Puerto Peñasco 8
Sky Harbor International Airport
10
Hermosillo
METRO light rail
ASU
143
Tempe
MESA
60
Gilbert
101 202
24
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
202 87
MEXICO
202 ASU Polytechnic
Albuquerque El Paso
88
89
87
CO
USA
Apache Junction
Falcon Field Airport
60
Denver UT
Flagstaff AZ NM 10
202
202
17 202
87
101
10
Goodyear
Los Angeles San Diego
Paradise Valley
51
dA
Fountain Hills
Scottsdale
Phoenix
METRO light rail
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
City of Mesa Office of Economic Development
10
TX
Chihuahua
Guaymas/ San Carlos
Stay connected with us: facebook.com/CityofMesa twitter.com/MesaEconDev Linkedin.com – Groups: City of Mesa Office of Economic Development
Chandler
Queen Creek
NORTH