10 Years Ago Mesa Invested $98 Million in an Arts Center > Tool for Planning & Development

Well, it's more than that: Arts & Entertainment Center, Public Performance Space, Contemporary Art Museum, Studios and Classrooms, Offices, Lecture Halls, and Theaters - it's the largest in the State of Arizona and an International Design Award-winning venue, but what has that gigantic investment done to create economic development in close proximity from all the "foot traffic" of about a million visitors in downtown Mesa? . . .  they come for a couple of hours and then leave, right?
Scroll down below to take the time to watch this 12:01 YouTube video recorded from November of last year. Jamie Bennett works with ArtPlace America and addresses a questions like the one above and asks "Who are your artists?

ArtPlace America just recently announced

Call for Field Scan Research: Housing, Public Health, and Public Safety

Jun 25, 2015 By: Jamie Hand, Director of Research Strategies

Calling all cross-disciplinary researchers! Today marks ArtPlace's second open call for research consultants. We currently seek to commission three “field scans” that document and explore the relationship between arts and culture and the following community development sectors: Housing, Public Health, and Public Safety.  
Check out the full Call for Research Consultants for detailed information about the opportunity and instructions on how to apply. Submissions are due Thursday, August 6, 2015, and scans are expected...Read More

ArtPlace America (ArtPlace) is a ten-year collaboration among a number of foundations, federal agencies, and financial institutions that works to position arts and culture as a core sector of comprehensive community planning and development in order to help strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities.

ArtPlace focuses its work on creative placemaking [a new phrase in the urban lexicon] which describes projects in which art plays an intentional and integrated role in place-based community planning and development that in the best of circumstances must be locally informed, human-centric, and holistic.

In practice, this means having arts and culture represented alongside sectors like housing and transportation – with each sector recognized as part of any healthy community; as requiring planning and investment from its community; and as having a responsibility to contribute to its community’s overall future.

In scanning the community planning and development field, we found five types of stakeholders working across ten sectors that, while not comprehensive, capture a majority of work taking place in communities: It's called the Community Development Matrix http://www.artplaceamerica.org/about/introduction#matrix

ArtPlace Community Development Matrix

It is ArtPlace's goal to demonstrate the unique value add that arts and culture can bring to each of the 50 cells of this matrix.The call in the June 25th announcement is focused on only three of the sectors.

In going back to the opening of this post, readers can begin to use this matrix as a reference point to what the Mesa Arts Center has contributed to the new urban downtown's future for both strong points and for areas in which more planning and getting results may be needed.

ArtPlace believes that successful creative placemaking projects do four things:

1. Define a community based in geography, such as a block, a neighborhood, a city, or a region
2. Articulate a change the group of people living and working in that community would like to see
3. Propose an arts-based intervention to help achieve that change
4. Develop a way to know whether the change occurred

Everyone's On Twitter > MAKE MESA WEIRDER????????

Image from Downtown Mesa Association

QUESTION: Is that what the residents of The New Urban Downtown Mesa want? . . . or just another public relations play on social media by certain individuals or an organization with an agenda of some kind?

Makes your MesaZona blogger wonder: 
Weirder than What?
When there's NO VISION from the Downtown Vision Committee more than three months after a six-month deadline to produce a vision, this is what people like the mayor and others occupy their time with!  
C'mon Let's Focus . . . what you see in the image to the left is far from weird - it looks more like an episode from The Twilight Zone, with a little patch of AstroTurf on the asphalt and NO PEOPLE > that's what your blogger finds weird.
Pardon me, but after millions of dollars spent on "redevelopment" and "live-ability" and "sustainability"  and "a vibrant and exciting downtown" this is what we've got to show for it?
It's not even fun goin' for the weird or trying to make Mesa weirder - it's a waste of time.

In this image shown time and time again here, readers of MesaZona blog can see what could be The New Urban Downtown Mesa.
Your blogger doesn't have the time for make Mesa weirder, but if you would like to enjoy Twitter comments,here are some of the people taking to Twitter to Make Mesa Weirder

• erin goodman on Twitter: "@MesaMayorOffice says artists ... 
• jamie bennett on Twitter: "Mayor @johngilestweet urges arts ... 
• Augie Gastelum on Twitter: "@johngilestweet & @sarmoti ... 
• jamie bennett (@sarmoti) | Twitter
• ArtPlaceAmerica (@ArtPlaceAmerica) | Twitter 
• terry benelli (@terrybmesa) | Twitter 
• Mayor John Giles (@MayorGiles) | Twitter

Latter Day Saints: One of Many Love Stories

Image from the documentary via New York Times

Elder: A Mormon Love Story is a new 12:45 documentary shown and written about in the New York Times yesterday. Another documentary was shown last week here in Mesa, "North Town" - both address topics that need to get talked about. Documentaries as a genre provide a narrative platform showing the real-life experiences of people dealing with discrimination in one form or another created by politics or religion.

This introduction is from the New York Times: "Who doesn’t remember a first love? Particularly when it’s forbidden. That moment is captured in this Op-Doc video about Tom Clark, who chronicles his love affair as a young, gay Mormon missionary in 1974.

Though he had not yet even heard the word “gay,” Clark was told throughout his childhood that homosexuals were destined for hell. He was also told that when he came of age he should go on a proselytizing mission. Grappling with his growing attraction toward men, he went off to Italy for two years, where he was expected to devote himself to the Latter-day Saint faith, and converting others to it.

Instead, he fell in love with an Italian Communist man named Gianni and began an illicit love affair, recording much of their relationship on Super 8 film (some of which is used in this Op-Doc). The experience landed him at a crossroads, where he was eventually forced to decide between who he was and who he was expected to be.

You can read the whole article and see the documentary by hitting this link >   
Elder: A Mormon Love Story

Here's an excerpt from what the Mormon News Report for June 26 2015 says about this documentary " . . . "I don't know if I'll be reviewing this one (mostly because I think it will be too difficult to find), but Mormonism in the New York Times will always get a mention from me."
Emphasis in red is by your MesaZona blogger: too difficult to find? NOT an excuse in my book.
If she read the NYT "mention" of the documentary in the article it is uploaded and played automatically - it pops up for viewing . . . it's not difficult to find right in front of your eyes

@ Mesa Main Public Library 06.29.2015: Life-Long Entertainment/Learning & Reptile Adventures

June 29-July 3

Ah! Summertime here in the New Urban Downtown Mesa - it's sizzling in one way or another - hot outside and cool inside.
While excessive heat warnings might cut down on your outdoor activities, there are always ways to enjoy and learn and having a low budget [or no budget at all] is no excuse to not take advantage of "educational opportunities" on offer all the time at the main branch of The Mesa Public Library.
To make a long story short, your MesaZona blogger highlights today two events: one is one hour-long and another is the start of five days of a 50% off sale of so-called "used books" either taken out of circulation from the library stacks or generously donated by individuals whose sales benefit programs and services provided by the library. 
It's a good thing that books are published to be used - you're chance to get them off the shelves @ 50% OFF in the book store - and definitely a "hands-on" activity where you get to turn the pages.
Your are encouraged to come and make your selections.

You'll never know what's on sale at the bookstore until you take the time to look.

Riche Isle

The one-time event on Monday at 2:00-3:00 in The Saguaro Room features an educational consultant from Mesa, Rich Ihle who is the founder of Reptile Adventures and has kept a large collection of live reptiles for more than 40 years, studying and breeding some of the most incredible species known. Ihle has been featured in magazines such as National Geographic Explorer and has on several television shows including the Wallace and Ladmo Show [remember that show??? it was a hit for years here in The Valley]
According to a June 25 press release from Mesa Now, the Newsroom for the City of Mesa: "Rich Ihle and his incredible reptile friends will entertain, educate, and amaze you!'
Crowds like the weird, the unusual, and the unexpected.
All ages are welcome, but keep in mind that The Saguaro Room is not that big of a place to hold an enthusiastic group of kids and adults.
Please note that Riche Ihle's Reptile Adventures is available for bookings for both private events like parties and birthdays, special fund-raising programs  and for public  events in schools and libraries. He's been doing it for years.

You can see the excitement generated with kids in a program from last year shown on You Tube by going to this link >  Rich Ihle in action 

Mesa Main Library Events Calendar

Mega Mesa > Worldwide: Iveda Wins Multiple Contracts in Taiwan & Viet Nam

Iveda Completes Cloud Video Surveillance Platform Installation in Four Data Centers in Vietnam
IVEDA (MARKETWIRED) - 30 JUNE 2015

The hardware revenue to Iveda is approximately $18 million on an annual basis. Iveda will also receive a perpetual monthly recurring Sentir license fee per camera on the Sentir platform.

Upon verification of the data center installation, the VNPT/Iveda agreement calls for VNPT to issue a purchase order for a minimum of 10,000 cameras (approximately $1.2 million), in preparation for the market launch of ZEE plug and play cloud cameras with 24/7 access to live and recorded video via VNPT's cloud.
In addition to VNPT, Iveda recently announced a Sentir licensing agreement with Viettronics, the largest electronics manufacturer in Vietnam. The agreement requires a minimum commitment of 50,000 cameras on the Sentir platform within the first 12 months of the five-year agreement. Iveda's license fee for Sentir is $3 per month per device managed on the Sentir platform; the first 50,000 cameras under this agreement will generate an annualized recurring license fee of $1.8 million. 
Until Sentir's firmware is integrated into Viettronics' cameras later this year, Viettronics plans to use Iveda's ZEE cameras for its customers' near-term cloud video surveillance deployments, with current projects requiring 50,000 cameras which equates to approximately $6 million of hardware revenue.

"We are busy executing on the very large contracts we have in hand and in the sales process with other Vietnam Telecoms," said David Ly, chairman and CEO of Iveda. "I was born in Vietnam and to be able to communicate the value proposition of Sentir's scalability and flexibility to the Telecom management in Vietnamese, has been a bonus. We are optimistic that the Sentir platform will be the standard for video surveillance as a service in Vietnam, hence will be a reference worldwide." - 

See more at: http://www.socialmediaportal.com/PressReleases/2015/06/Iveda-Completes-Cloud-Video-Surveillance-Platform-Installation-in-Four-Data-Centers-in-Vietnam.aspx#sthash.zjyTVoJY.dpuf

Image of Sentir Platform from Iveda website

Iveda Wins $544,000 Contract at Taiwan Stock Exchange
June 25, 2015

---

Press Release Today
The Company is based in Mesa, Arizona with its subsidiary in Taiwan MEGAsys®

MESA, Ariz. (June 25, 2015) – Iveda® (OTCQB: IVDA), worldwide enabler of cloud-based video surveillance through licensing its Sentir® platform, today announced that MEGAsys® (Iveda Taiwan) has secured a new US$544,000 contract to establish cloud video surveillance and access control systems at the Information Center of the Taiwan Stock Exchange in Taipei. The project is an expedited short-term project expected to be completed in about three months, with an anticipated completion in September 2015. The project is in the same facility as the US$1.4 million longer term contract announced by Iveda at the end of 2014 that is currently in process and scheduled for completion within 2015.
With this on the same day from CNN Money Iveda's U.S. operation is concentrating on enabling worldwide service providers, via the Sentir software platform, to offer plug-and-play cloud video surveillance offerings to consumers and enterprise-level customers, while Iveda Taiwan engages in system integration including large "safe city" and private cloud deployment projects. This trend is consistent with demands for smart cities around the world that call for scalable centralized video management platforms to handle big video data. 

About Iveda: Iveda®  enables cloud video surveillance via its Sentir® Software as a Service (SaaS) video management platform, utilizing proprietary video streaming and Big Data storage technology that enables a recurring revenue model by globally licensing Sentir to service providers (e.g., telecommunications companies, datacenter operators, ISPs, and cable companies), for plug-and-play cloud video offering to their customers.

Iveda's Cloud Diagram

What is unique about Iveda?
As the public continues to embrace and adopt cloud computing, some traditional NVR (network video recorder), software companies, camera manufacturers, and security integrators have rushed to capitalize on the trend, positioning their solutions as ’Cloud’, but generally do not qualify by the true definition of cloud computing. This pervasive practice – known as ‘cloudwashing’ – is based on renaming existing products if it were Internet based in any manner.

David Ly, Founder & CEO

This practice makes it difficult for consumers and IT professionals alike to make informed purchasing decisions. Today, instead of using a direct sales model, Iveda offers Sentir to worldwide telecommunications companies (telcos), carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), data centers, and cable companies. These companies in turn bundle the video surveillance service with their other offerings. End users are provided with a license to use Sentir applications on a per device basis through a monthly subscription. Iveda benefits by making it easier to rapidly increase adoption of Sentir while providing partners with a platform that can enhance their service, increase revenue per user (RPU), and promote customer loyalty.

You can read and download information with this link >  Iveda Cloud White Paper 

Market Size and Forecast 2012-2020

Video surveillance refers to monitoring of activities in public areas, businesses, or commercial buildings for real time viewing or capturing image data. Video surveillance-as-a-service (VSaaS) comprises managing and archiving of video footages captured by surveillance cameras onto the cloud. 

Video surveillance systems can be a powerful tool in preventing or investigating a crime when installed in shopping malls, multiplexes, automated teller machines, banks, airports and casinos. 

What's Creating The Demand: Increasing terrorist activities and concerns about safety and security are the major factors driving the demand for video surveillance systems globally. 

 Report published 12 February 2015 - TransparencyMarketResearch.com

In 2009 Iveda was the first and only Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology provider under a formal SAFETY Act Designation by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

"As the mayor of the City of Mesa, I am proud that Iveda Solutions, a Mesa-based company, has garnered this highly coveted Safety Act Designation by the DHS. Having a company right in our own backyard, providing a proactive security solution that is certified and trusted by the DHS, is a big advantage for the city. With all the budget cuts in law enforcement, Iveda Solutions can provide real-time video surveillance in problem areas within the city and provide assistance to our officers in the streets” says Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa, Arizona.
“The City of Mesa is already utilizing Iveda Solutions’ real-time surveillance services and plans to identify more areas that require critical infrastructure protection,” adds Smith.

Iveda Press Release April 2009  

IDEA > Re/Vacant Commercial-RetailStorefronts in Downtown Mesa > Do Pop Ups!

Apologies to Roy Lichtenstein

A pop up store or pop up shop is a store that appears in a location for a set amount of time in order to promote or sell something specifically.
And by something that means anything - pop up stores are there to bring attention to a business or an event like the August 22, 2015 opening of light rail transit in downtown Mesa, or the 10th Anniversary of the Mesa Arts Center.

Everyone agrees that it would benefit everyone if the long-empty storefronts On/Off Main Street would once again be the attractions for shoppers they used to be way-back-when when retail evolved to shopping malls and left downtown.

POP-UP is one tool in the evolution of retail now and a powerful trend, started in about 2000 and taking place all over the world,  that might be a welcome addition to the usual strategies in the Urban Development Tool Kit to incubate new business without the financial risks of signing long-term leases on brick-and-mortar real estate - it allows business owners to test the market before they take the risk.

POP-UP events can attract people and visitors to downtown [for example First Friday Nights Out, street fairs like MacFest]. Once events prove they deliver desired results they become part of "downtown life".
POP-UP business is a new paradigm to promote the growth of retail and a potential boon for real estate interests if those businesses find their market here in downtown Mesa.
Oftentimes, online marketing works hand-in-hand with start-up or established businesses. Case in point: Smitholator Cookies operated online for two years before selecting a Main Street location.
Pop-Ups are a quicker way to find your market.

As usual with all good ideas, they need to fit in with established practices or those practices can get streamlined to facilitate the process.
While pop-ups are temporary, they may face a regulatory maze.  Pop-ups are usually subject to the same land use laws, regulations, and licensing requirements as traditional retailers, and, in some cases, they may be subject to additional or different regulations.
Information included below is taken from an article published on March 11. 2015 from The Pop-Up Regulatory Maze on Law on RetailLawAdvisor.com


The Pop-Up Regulatory Maze 
By Cary R. Kadlecek and Timothy H. Watkins on March 11th, 2015  
Posted in Licensing, Permitting, Pop-up Retail, Regulatory, Retail, Retail Sales, Zoning

Pop-ups are usually subject to the same land use laws, regulations, and licensing requirements as traditional retailers, and, in some cases, they may be subject to additional or different regulations.
In most local jurisdictions, the zoning and land use regulations do not distinguish between temporary and more permanent uses. For a pop-up to be permitted in a particular building, the pop-up use typically must be allowed in the zone where the building is located. That does not necessarily mean that a new use permit or certificate of occupancy will be required for the pop-up because it may depend on how general the permitted use is and how closely the pop-up aligns with an existing permit. However, obtaining a certificate of occupancy or use permit can often be a long and onerous process, so pop-ups may be deterred from locating in certain available spaces because of the time investment required to obtain a permit. 
However, some local jurisdictions have recognized the unique advantages of pop-ups - they have revised their zoning and permitting laws accordingly so that pop-ups do not have to go through the usual entitlement process

Anyone planning on operating a pop-up should begin by determining how their jurisdiction treats pop-ups, then proceed from there.
There are considerations for both landlords and tenants with respect to Pop-Ups. 
A previous article on the same site can be seen here in this link > 
http://www.retaillawadvisor.com/2014/03/05/pop-up-retail/ 

By Erin M. Vanden Borre and Nancy M. Davids on March 5th, 2014

 

Here's a YouTube video by Melissa Gonzalez that starts off a series of lessons about Pop-Up

H

Gettin' A New Religion > The Cloud + The Internet of Everything IoT

Friends in High Places

Please, folks, let's get over those "Old Time Religions" with Prophets from The Middle East that have divided people and the world we all live in - there's A Brave New World Right Here & Now with other profits and capital investment.
The Internet of Things (IoT, sometimes Internet of Everything) is the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors and connectivity to enable it to achieve greater value and service by exchanging data with the manufacturer, operator and/or other connected devices based on the infrastructure of International Telecommunication Union's Global Standards Initiative. 

Internet of Things connect physically and remotely by individuals, for both public sector and private sector, in the sense of a computer network grid, of a created electrical device that is in place, with economic benefit and potential usefulness. Each thing is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system but is able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of almost 50 billion objects by 2020.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things 

In this article from Forbes yesterday 20 June 2015 by contributor Louis Columbus, The Cloud computing market will reach $127.5 Billion by 2018.
[How all this data found a home in The Cloud is shown in the image to the right]

Even more mind-boggling - again in Forbes - written by Alex Konrad on 18 June is this headline on the State of The Cloud 2015:

Report: Cloud Market Cap To Pass $500 Billion By 2020

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2015/06/18/byron-deeter-state-of-the-cloud/ 

If readers need a visual for some of the data in Bessemer Venture Partners report you can get a good look here to the right  >

 You can read the report with this link >
http://www.bvp.com/cloud/cloudreport

While Mayor John Giles says in the YouTube video from a earlier post that "The Salvation of downtown Mesa is riding on this train" [referring to the Valley Metro CME Light Rail arriving] there's a higher power in The Cloud.
Your MesaZona blogger won't use a religion-based term like "salvation"  from doing things wrong or not doing enough to redevelop downtown, but when a lot of people GET IT RIGHT creating The Cloud & IoT with pervasive integration all over the world That's A Good Thing that "Old-Time Religions" don't do.