Background
The City of Mesa is preparing a
strategic development plan for the Mesa Gateway Area (MGA)
in southeast Mesa. MGA includes the rapidly developing
area around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport that will
become the economic engine for southeast Mesa and the
surrounding region. The study
focuses on two overlapping study areas. The
transportation study area extends approximately from
Power Road to Meridian Drive and from Southern Avenue to
Germann Road. The land use study area extends
approximately from Power Road to Meridian Drive and from
the halfway point between Guadalupe Road and Elliot Road
to Germann Road.
Elements included in the strategic development plan
are:
Strategic market assessments and economic
development;
Land use planning;
Community facility, infrastructure and utilities
plans;
A transportation master planning; and
A funding and implementation plan to achieve the
infrastructure and community facilities needed to
support the vision and prosperity of the area.
The study began in June 2007 and will be
completed by May 2008. MGA is approximately 52 square
miles and located within its boundaries are freeways,
universities, the airport, large landowners, railroads,
roadway access points and planned developments. All of
these elements are taken into consideration during the
planning process. The consultant for the Mesa Gateway
Strategic Development Plan is HDR and their planning
philosophy is to enhance area assets, recognize the
value of the airport, integrate land use and
transportation, create fiscally responsible solutions
and a comprehensive growth strategy that will provide
the vision for high quality and innovative development
in this unique area of Mesa.
The planning process has six phases:
- Phase I: Project Start Up
- Phase II: Baseline Data Collection
- Phase III: Alternatives Analysis
- Phase IV: Refinement/Testing
- Phase V: Presentation/Adoption
- Phase VI: Plan Production
As each phase is completed a draft memo is
distributed for review and comment by the Stakeholder
Advisory Committee and the Project Advisory Committee.
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee is comprised of major
landowners, businesses, universities and community
members who are directly involved in the development of
the area. The Project Advisory Committee is comprised of
surrounding municipalities, government agencies and
utilities who have an interest in how the area is
developed. The final memos will create the Mesa Gateway
Strategic Development Plan that will be presented to the
Mesa City Council for consideration and adoption in May
2008.
The final memos are posted on this Web site for the
public to read. If you would like to be added to the
notification list please contact Jodi Sorrell at (480)
644-5541 or
jodi.sorrell@cityofmesa.org.
Mesa Gateway Area Vision
Part of developing a strategic
plan is identifying a vision for MGA that the
stakeholder committee and project advisory committee
agrees upon and supports. To facilitate that process The
City of Mesa and HDR invited Dr. John Kasarda to tour
MGA, give a presentation about airport area development
and participate in the visioning process for MGA. Dr.
Kasarda is internationally recognized for
developing the concept of an "aerotropolis". He is an
expert in aviation infrastructure, logistics, urban
development and commercial real estate. Dr. Kasarda has
also consulted on many international and national
airport projects.
The results of the stakeholder Visioning workshop
will be used to develop alternative land development
scenarios that was considered during the two-day public
workshop on Dec. 13 & 14. Upon completion
of the workshop a comprehensive land development plan
will be proposed, including requirements for multi-modal
transportation, utilities, public safety and community
facilities, economic development strategies,
infrastructure needs and funding alternatives.
Resources & Key Contacts
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