Creating vibrant core in Mesa depends on right project mix

Mesa has approved preliminary plans for a five-story apartment complex geared toward low-income seniors. It's a high-quality project that would be perfect for several empty parcels on the edges of downtown. But it's proposed for Main Street, next to City Hall and adjacent to a light-rail station, in a part of downtown envisioned for the densest development. Allowing such a project at that location could jeopardize downtown's future because: It's a mistake to build residential in an area meant primarily for jobs and nightlife. The building offers no mixed-use space and is on the short end of the area's height guidelines. It also would offer surface parking, not an integrated parking garage, for residents. Such a building would not create the urban atmosphere Mesa wants to create in this area. Because the area doesn't have the design cues to indicate that it is expected to be a loud, vibrant, 24/7 kind of place, it could attract residents who expect peace and quiet. That practically guarantees complaints when Mesa wants to host festivals, debates or other events nearby.

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