Over the past few years, we’ve seen college students ride the light rail line in huge numbers. It is a cheap and convenient way to get to and from the Tempe and downtown Phoenix campuses. The U-pass is a deal, for sure.
Over the past few months, we have talked a LOT about the new colleges coming to downtown Mesa. The potential revitalization of this area with a bunch of new faces, and a transit system that allows easy access to the core of the city where all of this activity is happening has a lot of people talking. Turns out, Mesa is courting more than college kids.
Bring in the old:
Just like Tempe did with the surprising ( to many ) but very successful Encore on Farmer project, Mesa will soon be getting a $17 million, 81-unit, ultramodern senior apartment complex just southwest of the Mesa Arts Center. Yes, really.
Look, if you are going to have economic development in an area, it just might make sense to include multiple demographics / people from many different walks of life. Those in opposition to this project may not be familiar with the developer and with the success of the Encore project in Tempe. Basically, they built a senior living space in the heart of the Mill Avenue District and you’d have a hard time finding someone that can look you in the eye and say it was a mistake.
Housing in downtown Mesa is pretty scarce right now and there is very little doubt that demand is increasing. Infill projects like this will be a good fit for others to follow their lead. Land in the area seems to be available, it will be really interesting to watch what happens.
Downtown Mesa sees investment: Today’s AZCentral article gives a lot of information about what is happening with the project so far. The proximity to the light rail extension seems to be a key element to the project hotshot with Charles Huellmantel stating "We would not be building in Mesa if it did not have access to light rail”
So, we will soon be seeing more people rockin’ the Rail Life. Young and old…
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