Monday, September 14, 2026

Mesa City Council Monday 14 September 2026

City Council Study Session

City Council Regular Session

The agenda will be available at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at: http://mesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and in the City Manager’s Office.

Mesa Weighs $3B Legacy Park Mega-Project, Largest in City's History

By Taylor Johnson

Published on September 14, 2026

Mesa Weighs $3B Legacy Park Mega-Project, Largest in City's History

Source: Google Street View

Mesa's City Council is set to vote Monday on a proposal that would reshape 197 acres of southeast Mesa into the largest mixed-use development in the city's history: a $3 billion project called Legacy Park. The plan, pitched by Phoenix-based developer Vestar, calls for a luxury resort hotel, office towers, apartments, retail and a man-made lake on land that once served as a General Motors proving ground.

The council's vote, scheduled for Monday, covers a package of approvals that includes annexing the land into Mesa, zoning changes, a development agreement and a special taxing district, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM. Vestar and Mesa city staff first laid out the development proposal for council members during a study session on September 10. Ryan Ash, Vestar's senior vice president of asset management, told the council that the company plans to break ground on public infrastructure, amenities and traffic improvements in January 2028, start vertical construction in June 2028, and open the project's first phase in October 2029.

What's Actually Being Built

At full buildout, Legacy Park is planned to include 300,000 square feet of upscale retail and restaurants, 2,500 multifamily residential units, a 600-room luxury resort hotel, 3.4 million square feet of Class A office space, and a 20-plus-acre urban park anchored by that lake, according to a release carried by PR Newswire. The hotel component will be developed by The Athens Group, a Phoenix-based hospitality firm whose portfolio includes the Four Seasons Hualalai, Montage Laguna Beach and Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, as reported by Arizona Foothills Magazine.

Vestar is co-developing the project with Pacific Proving LLC, the landowning entity led by Andrew Cohn and Bill Levine that controls 1,805 acres in Mesa previously used as a General Motors testing ground, per Commercial Property Executive. Vestar designed the retail and dining core to benchmark against Scottsdale Quarter, the open-air lifestyle center in north Scottsdale where Vestar also serves as a strategic operating partner, according to the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce.

Site Sits Across From Gateway Airport

Legacy Park would rise at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Road and Williams Field Road, directly across from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and near Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus and Arizona Athletic Grounds, according to AZBEX. The same outlet reports that Vestar has separately filed plans for Gateway Crossing, a 40-acre commercial project formerly known as Legacy Towne Center, located directly across Williams Field Road from the new development.

The megaproject lands amid a broader regional building boom. Metro Phoenix had 2.2 million square feet of retail space under active construction as of late 2025, ranking as the fourth-largest retail development pipeline in the country amid rapid population growth, according to CoStar News.

The Fiscal Case Mesa Officials Are Weighing

An independent economic impact analysis presented during the council's study session projected that Legacy Park will generate $58.8 billion in total economic impact, $1.4 billion in direct tax revenue for Mesa, and more than 13,500 jobs over a 30-year period, per meeting records posted on Open Publica. City officials cited the capture of lost sales tax revenue that Mesa residents currently spend in neighboring East Valley cities as a primary fiscal driver behind the proposal, particularly following Arizona's statewide elimination of municipal residential rental taxes, the meeting records show.

Mesa city leaders view the public-private partnership as a strategy to recapture sales tax dollars that residents currently spend in cities like Gilbert and Queen Creek, per the same account. While the city-commissioned analysis projects significant long-term returns and thousands of jobs, open questions remain around local utility impacts, including long-term water allocation, traffic infrastructure around Ellsworth Road and State Route 24, and the precise financial mechanics of the proposed taxing district.

Not to Be Confused With the Old Legacy Park

The name Legacy Park may ring a bell for Mesa residents for the wrong reason. It's shared with Mesa's former Legacy Park sports complex, originally known as Bell Bank Park, where two former executives were sentenced to prison in September 2025 for a $300 million municipal bond fraud scheme. That facility defaulted on its bonds in 2022 and was later sold in bankruptcy — a separate saga entirely from Vestar's new mixed-use proposal.

Vestar's push into southeast Mesa follows a string of large East Valley retail projects the company has pursued in recent months, including a mall proposal near TSMC in north Phoenix and the completed Vineyard Towne Center in Queen Creek. Mesa's own SR-24 corridor has also been ramping up with new commercial development, adding further momentum to the region's building spree ahead of Monday's council vote.

Phoenix-

Mayor Mark Freeman

Mayor of Mesa

Councilmember Rich Adams
District 1 Councilmember

Councilmember Dorean Taylor

District 2 Councilmember

Councilmember Francisco Heredia
District 3 Councilmember

Councilmember Jenn Duff
District 4 Councilmember

Councilmember Alicia Goforth
District 5 Councilmember

Vice Mayor Scott Somers
District 6 Councilmember

MEETING DETAILS 17 Meeting Items

Meeting Name:

City Council

Agenda status:

Final

Meeting date/time:

9/14/2026 5:45 PM

Minutes status:

Draft

Meeting location:

Council Chambers

Published agenda:	Agenda Accessible Agenda	Published minutes:	Not available
Agenda packet:	Not available

Meeting video:

Not available

Attachments:

Meeting Items (17)

File #	Agenda #	Type	Title	Action Details
26-0041	2	Minutes	Approval of minutes of previous meetings as written.	Not available
26-0728	3-a	Contract	Dollar Limit Increase to the Cooperative Contract for Managed Service Provider for Innovation and Technology Contractor Services for the Department of Innovation and Technology (Citywide) This contract provides a managed service provider that gives the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) flexibility to supplement internal staffing resources as technology needs, project demands, and organizational priorities evolve. Contract services may include coordinating IT related purchases, serving as a liaison between DoIT and Procurement Services, providing administrative, operational, project management, and architectural systems support, delivering consulting and training services, and providing support for the Topaz Regional Wireless Cooperative (TRWC). The dollar limit increase is needed to provide sufficient contract capacity to address current and anticipated service needs while preserving flexibility to scale support as demand evolves. Approval of the contract dollar limit increase does not increase the DoIT or TRWC budgets. The Department of Innovation and Technology and P	Not available
26-0796	3-b	Contract	Five-Year Use of a Cooperative Term Contract for Information Technology Temporary and Professional Services for the Mesa Police Department (Citywide) This contract will provide a dedicated Technical Account Manager (TAM) to support body-worn camera redaction and digital evidence sharing. The TAM will be on-site four days a week and will assist with ongoing system set up and configuration, account maintenance, data analysis and reporting, and provide technical assistance. The Mesa Police Department currently fills these roles through Axon, which has discontinued this temporary staffing function and transferred it to Insight Global, LLC. Transitioning the functions preserves program knowledge and prevents a gap in support for body-worn camera and digital evidence redaction operations. The Mesa Police Department and Procurement Services recommend authorizing the purchase using the Omnia Partners cooperative contract with Insight Global, LLC in an amount not to exceed $260,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5% or the adjusted Consumer Price Index.	Not available
26-0794	3-c	Contract	Three-Year Term Contract with Two-Year Renewal Options for Landscape Maintenance-City Facilities (Zone 3) for the Facilities Management Department (Districts 1, 2, 5 & 6) This contract will provide landscape maintenance services for various City facilities in Zone 3, which encompasses 16 non-secured properties located in Council Districts 1, 2, 5 & 6. These services will help ensure that landscaped areas and plant life at City facilities are attractive, well-maintained, and safe, providing a welcoming environment for residents, visitors and City employees at Mesa’s libraries, museums, venues and other public facilities. A committee representing the Facilities Management Department and Procurement Services evaluated responses and recommend awarding the contract to the highest scored proposal from Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC dba Four Peaks Landscape Management (a Mesa business) in an amount not to exceed $480,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5% or the adjusted Consumer Price Index.	Not available
26-0795	3-d	Contract	Three-Year Term Contract with Two-Year Renewal Options for Landscape Maintenance-City Facilities (Secured Sites) for the Facilities Management Department (Citywide) This contract will provide landscape maintenance services for 18 secured City facilities throughout Mesa, such as the Communications, Falcon Field, two reservoirs, Municipal Court, and 13 Police and Fire Facilities. These services will help ensure grounds remain safe, orderly, accessible and free from overgrown vegetation and other potential hazards, while supporting the operational needs of each facility. Due to the security requirements of these locations, this contract is separate from the other Landscape Maintenance contracts. A committee representing the Facilities Management Department and Procurement Services evaluated responses and recommend awarding the contract to the highest scored proposal from Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC dba Four Peaks Landscape Management (a Mesa business) in an amount not to exceed $548,000 annually, with an annual increase allowance of up to 5% or the adjusted Consumer Price Index.	Not available
26-0797	3-e	Contract	Five-Year Term Contract for Electrical Equipment, Part & Supplies for Various Citywide Departments (Citywide) This contract will provide industrial and non-industrial electrical equipment, parts, and supplies, as well as data communications products, to support various projects citywide. Most common items include fuses, distribution panels, conduit fittings, breakers, relays, overloads, contactors, sensors, lighting and electrical supplies, intrusion and access control parts, and motor control equipment. The City partnered with the AXIA Cooperative to lead the solicitation that created this term contract. The contract will be available to over 30,000 public agencies nationally through AXIA’s cooperative purchasing program. As part of the agreement, the City will receive a rebate based on all sales against the contract. A committee representing the Water Resources, Department of Innovation and Technology, Energy Resources, Engineering, Facilities Management, Park, Recreation & Community Facilities, and Transportation Departments and Procurement Services evaluated responses and	Not available
26-0678	4-a	Resolution	Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Right of Way Occupancy License for MMR Fiber Solutions Communications, LLC. (Citywide) Resolution No. 12573	Not available
26-0704	4-b	Resolution	Approving and authorizing the City Manager to accept Proposition 202 funds from the Gila River Indian Community and administer awarded funds. (Citywide) Resolution No. 12574	Not available
26-0782	4-c	Resolution	Approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Foreign Trade Zone Operator Agreement for Foreign Trade Zone 221 with JX Advanced Metals USA, Inc. at 10036 East Germann Road. (District 6) Resolution No. 12575	Not available
26-0624	5-a	Ordinance	ANX25-00725 - Annexing 0.38± acres of county right-of-way along South Signal Butte Road approximately 1,250± feet south of the southwest corner of South Signal Butte Road and East Williams Field Road. (District 6) Ordinance No. 6032	Not available
26-0810	6-a	Resolution	Making findings required by A.R.S. § 9-500.11 (version 2) for the City to enter into, and approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into, a development agreement that is a “retail development tax incentive agreement” under A.R.S. § 9-500.11 (version 2), for the development of the project known as the “Cannon Beach Hotel,” generally located at the southeast corner of Power Road and Warner Road. (District 6) (5 votes required) Resolution No. 12570	Not available
26-0787	7-a	Ordinance	ANX25-00682 - Annexing 5.2± acres located at the southwest corner of East Williams Field Road and State Route 24. This request has been initiated by Dennis Newcombe, Gammage and Burnham, for the owner, Pacific Proving, LLC. (District 6) Ordinance No. 6029	Not available
26-0776	7-b	Ordinance	ANX25-00893 - Annexing 196.3± acres located at the northeast corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Williams Field Road. This request has been initiated by Dennis Newcombe, Gammage and Burnham, for the owners, Pacific Proving, LLC, and Mesa BA Land, LLC. (District 6) Ordinance No. 6030	Not available
26-0756	7-c	Ordinance	ZON25-00891 "Legacy Park" 196.3± acres located at the northeast corner of South Ellsworth Road and East Williams Field Road. Rezone from Light Industrial to Planned Community District (PC). This request will allow for the development of a mixed-use planned community. Pacific Proving LLC, Owner; Susan Demmitt/Dennis Newcombe, Gammage & Burnham, Applicant. (District 6) Ordinance No. 6031 Staff Recommendation: Approval with conditions P&Z Board Recommendation: Approval with conditions (Vote: 7-0)	Not available
26-0817	7-d	Resolution	A resolution making findings required by A.R.S. § 9-500.11 (Version 2) for the City to enter into a “retail development tax incentive agreement” and approving and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a development agreement that is a “retail development tax incentive agreement” under A.R.S. § 9-500.11 (Version 2), related to the development of certain improvements constructed for a project generally located west and south of State Route 24, east of South Ellsworth Road, north of East Williams Field Road, south of a portion of East Williams Field Road, and west of the future South Crismon Road alignment. (District 6) (5 votes required) Resolution No. 12571	Not available
26-0818	7-e	Resolution	A resolution approving the formation of the Legacy Park District, a theme park district pursuant to Arizona law, on approximately 428 acres of land wholly within the boundaries of the City, generally located north of East Pecos Road, east of South Ellsworth Road, west of the South Crismon Road alignment, and west and south of State Route 24; electing two City Councilmembers to serve on the District Board of Directors; approving the form and authorizing the execution and delivery of a Development and Intergovernmental Agreement by and among the City, the District, a Developer, and the owners of land within the District; and approving and authorizing additional actions in connection with such District. (District 6) Resolution No. 12572	Not available
26-0016	8-a	Public Hearing	Items from citizens present. (Maximum of three speakers for three minutes per speaker.)	Not available

City Council Study Session

Meeting Agenda - Final

Mayor Mark Freeman

Vice Mayor Scott Somers - District 6

Councilmember Rich Adams - District 1

Councilmember Dorean Taylor - District 2

Councilmember Francisco Heredia - District 3

Councilmember Jennifer Duff - District 4

Councilmember Alicia Goforth - District 5

AI TURMOIL

MesaZona is a self-described local-interest blog about Mesa, Arizona, covering the city's development, transit, and community topics (its tagline is "Table of Contents: Here's The Menu. Enjoy").