Whoa! Here In Downtown Mesa > Transformation or At Least Improving The Facades

Yup. Seeing is believing after years of hashing ideas all around and choosing what buildings, with some history here on Main Street, get a make-over of sorts from the outside sidewalk level and up the fronts. Here's the world-famous Nile Theater today just after a crew from Rytan Construction and the city got all the safeguards and signage installed on-site. That pink stucco stuff in an historic district always knocked my urban sensibilities the wrong way on the south side of Main Street almost directly across the street from Chandler Court where the original Spanish Mission exterior is still mostly intact, even though the interior court was filled in a long time ago.
As you can see in the image below, the arched portico will go - into the dustbin of history!

For about 120 days from November 2018 until March 2019, the exteriors of a number of properties will get improved in one or way another. Here's a link for some information and details on the city's official site:
https://www.mesaaz.gov/about-us/city-projects/downtown-transformation/downtown-facade-improvement-program

There is some restoration and semblance to original details, but something gets lost in the 21st Century translation: character.

 

 

 

The one-story LeBaron Building, on the north side of Center Street just east of Country Club Drive and a Valley Metro Light Rail station platform, is likewise getting a work-over in the neglected downtown area that now qualifies as an Opportunity Zone with long-term tax incentives for real estate developers, depending on the regulated improvements and use of the buildings. Looming behind is the tallest building here in downtown Mesa, the 15-story Courtyard Towers, an assisted-living facility. 

Oro Brewing

Address	210 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Parcel ID	138-55-001
Property class	Store Building - Commercial (1120)
Buildings on lot	2
Square footage	6,464
Year built	1945
Stories	1

 

Downtown Mesa Brewery and Taproom serving House Beers and select Arizona Craft Beers.http://www.orobrewing.com/

 

212 W. Main (now vacant and available for lease)

Address	212 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Parcel ID	138-55-001
Property class	Store Building - Commercial (1120)
Buildings on lot	2
Square footage	6,464
Year built	1945
Stories	1

5 Star DJ Center (Five Star DJ Center) has been open and operating in the valley since 2004 and specializes in DJ Sound, lighting, electronic repair (synthesizers included).

http://www.5stardjcenter.com/

 

National Comedy Theatre

Address	214 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Parcel ID	138-55-011
Property class	Store Building - Commercial (1120)
Buildings on lot	2
Square footage	4,900
Year built	1940
Stories	1

 

 

City of Mesa Downtown Façade Improvement Program