Reality Check: It's a 360-Degree Dilemma . . . this 4.6-acre site next to City Hall might really need a change in expectations.
It might not be the best site selection for such a complicated proposed project that demands a huge amount of electric power while at the same time a lot of other serious complications
It might not be the best site selection for such a complicated proposed project that demands a huge amount of electric power while at the same time a lot of other serious complications
Right now it's under Design Review for "Schematic Planning"
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Your MesaZona blogger's advice for AZ Republic reporter Alison Steinback, Hizzoner John Giles and Director of Downtown Transformation Jeff McVay
'Trust me when I say you can go elsewhere for a career.'_____________________________________________
Looks like they all want to Make-You-Believe their own dog food
29 September 2019
"A SNEAK PREVIEW" For ASU in Downtown Mesa ?? The Design Review By Mesa's Planning & Zoning Board Was OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
There's a streaming video of the entire zoning case that is inserted farther down using a YouTube upload.
No need for a second-hand "sneak preview" from East Valley Tribune Staff Writer Jim Walsh:
". . . And it seems like a safe bet the controversial, yet much anticipated facility likely will wake up historically sleepy downtown Mesa and inject life into the area - a goal set by Mayor John Giles and several city council members. . . "
Maybe this was 'likely' too - an image of a building that doesn't really exist, but it was used to trick Mesa taxpayers to go into debt for $64,000,000!
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BLOGGER NOTE:
> It might look something like this low-slung "boxy building", about 3 stories high.
Of course it would have "downtown touches" whatever that might mean . . .
Right now, until CBJ releases some of the renderings and views of what their schematic plans are on pages 81-88 for the work session featured in a post on this blog, it all remains
____________________________________________ Now more spoon-fed stories
Everything - there was just another spoon-fed media piece published yesterday.
And yes, there's been controversy and opposition to the bogus trick every since 2014.
“We’re really proud and very fond of our
downtown right now,”
said Mayor John Giles, who initially came up with the idea of bringing ASU to Mesa when he began as mayor in 2014.
“We just need more activity and more people, and I think ASU is going to be a big part of making that happen.”
"I think it's going to be a real game-changer for the downtown," McVay said of the combined building-plaza project.
"This could really be the straw that broke the camel's back, but in a good way."
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'All I had to do was look at Phoenix'
Giles expects the ASU building will inject life in Mesa’s downtown. He said he was inspired by how ASU catalyzed Phoenix’s downtown, which like Mesa’s, was inactive and underperforming prior to the university's arrival.
“I don’t claim any particularly creativity,” Giles said of his Mesa-ASU plan. “All I had to do was look at Phoenix and realize, 'Wow, they did that there, why couldn’t we do that in Mesa?'”
HUH?
Because downtown Phoenix and downtown Mesa are very different!
THERE IS NO MESA CITY CENTER
DOWNTOWN - It's been neglected and distressed for more than 40 years
McVay agreed, explaining: "Downtown Mesa needs activity day and night. Students bring a lot of activity."
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Giles expects the ASU building will inject life in Mesa’s downtown. He said he was inspired by how ASU catalyzed Phoenix’s downtown, which like Mesa’s, was inactive and underperforming prior to the university's arrival.
“I don’t claim any particularly creativity,” Giles said of his Mesa-ASU plan. “All I had to do was look at Phoenix and realize, 'Wow, they did that there, why couldn’t we do that in Mesa?'”
HUH?
Because downtown Phoenix and downtown Mesa are very different!
> This area is recognized as the governmental, cultural, financial, and entertainment center of the community.
> The goal for this area is to make it a people-friendly area that is alive with options for housing, employment, shopping, entertainment, and events.
DOWNTOWN - It's been neglected and distressed for more than 40 years
McVay agreed, explaining: "Downtown Mesa needs activity day and night. Students bring a lot of activity."
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Coming spring 2022: Downtown Mesa's ASU campus and city center plaza
"Mesa leaders hope an ASU campus will add vibrancy to its
downtown, which already has light rail to make
transportation easier for students.
The first ASU building is expected to open near Pepper Place
and Centennial Way in 2022.
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SAYING DOESN'T MAKE IT SO . . .
