Mesa approves ASU Innovation Zone framework, advances Center Street redesign despite parade route debate
MESA, ARIZONA — September 4, 2025

Mesa approves ASU Innovation Zone framework, advances Center Street redesign despite parade route debate

Mesa City Council study session approved framework amendments for ASU Innovation Zone partnership and advanced detailed design for Center Street pedestrian/bike corridor project while addressing parade route compatibility concerns.

Mesa Council Advances ASU Innovation Zone Framework and Center Street Redesign Amid Parade Route Tensions

Mesa City Council's September 4 study session approved two significant downtown initiatives and reviewed a long-stalled mixed-use development on Site 17, setting up Monday votes and detailed design work. However, discussion of the Center Street project revealed underlying council anxiety about reducing vehicular lanes and accommodating large parade floats through a proposed roundabout—a tension that will persist as design progresses.

Key Speeches

"This zoning needed to be in place before we could finalize our agreements with ASU. If you want to think about in practice today, it's the Novvice. It's the Novas corridor in Tempe where you see that the partnership between Tempe and ASU that gave uh parameters for how ASU could develop in that area and then ASU has that flexibility to go and within following within those guardrails go and develop uh as you know the market u necessitates." — Jim Butler, Development Services Director

"Yesterday I had a meeting with President Crowe, uh Mr. Butler and I and uh they're excited about moving a downtown campus here in Mesa and this provides a lot of flexibility not only Novas but Skyong to as part of their developments too and I really think this is important for us to move forward with this uh opportunity zone for them." — Mayor John Giles

"I totally um appreciate your thought on the parade, but I guess I would just caution building a street for one event that happens a year, right? So, 99% of the time, this let's let's build it for that 99%." — Council Member [identified in transcript as supporting forward design]

"Between Pepper and University is the only four-lane road that we have in the square mile... Center becomes the center of our downtown I think will really help with development... they took nine blocks of a five lane road and they transformed it into a pedestrian friendly um project... attracted over $270 million in local economic output and attracted $130 million in private development." — Council Member David Luna, citing Lancaster, California precedent

Timeline

Employment Opportunity District Amendment (Item 6A):

Culdeac Mixed-Use Development, Site 17 (Item 5A):

Center Street Capital Improvement Project (Item 2A):

Minutes Acknowledgment (Item 3):

Opposition

No formal organized opposition documented in study session. However, Council Members Spillsbury and Jen Duff expressed reservations:

  1. Parade route compatibility: Roundabout design unclear for large vehicle access during Mesa parades (held twice annually).
  2. Traffic congestion: Concern about reducing four lanes to two during convention center events, concerts, and peak periods.
  3. Convention center capacity growth: Worry that reduced lanes will limit future expansion and attractiveness of venue.
  4. Bike lane safety debate: Jen Duff noted receiving conflicting feedback from cycling advocates—some supporting separated lanes, others questioning delineator safety.
  5. Isolated design segment: Jen Duff raised that wider sidewalk/bike lane segment will lack north–south connectivity without parallel improvements elsewhere on Center Street.

Most compelling arguments against:

Support

Council Member David Luna strongly advocated forward:

Mayor John Giles supported advancing design:

Council Member Francisco Heredia supported design advancement:

Support themes:

  1. Economic development precedent (Lancaster model).
  2. Community placemaking and walkability as downtown revitalization engine.
  3. Safety for all users (pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles).
  4. Existing traffic data justifies lane reduction.
  5. Mesa Arts Center operates successfully on constrained street.

Project Details

Employment Opportunity District Amendment:

Culdeac Mixed-Use Development:

Center Street Capital Improvement Project:

Vote Breakdown

Minutes Acknowledgment (Item 3):

No other votes taken during study session. Employment Opportunity District amendment and Culdeac project approved in study session format (direction given) but scheduled for formal council votes Monday, September 8.

Outcome & Next Steps

Employment Opportunity District Amendment:

Culdeac Site 17 Development:

Center Street Capital Improvement Project:

Controversies & Context

Center Street Roundabout and Parade Route: The most contentious discussion centered on a proposed roundabout at Second Street. Mayor John Giles, Council Members Spillsbury and Jen Duff expressed concern that roundabout design details remain unclear and may incompatibly reduce street width for parade floats. Eric (Transportation) and Jim Butler repeatedly assured council that pavement width exists for parade logistics and that roundabout is the only design element requiring further engineering study. However, Jen Duff noted uncertainty: "I think that's something we need to take a real hard look at. I'm kind of a traditionalist on these things. We've done this in Mesa for many, many years." John Giles countered that best-of-both outcomes are achievable but remained cautious: "Just making sure... we can still have the best of both."

Traffic Capacity and Convention Center Events: Council Member Spillsbury expressed discomfort with reducing four lanes to two, citing "how bad the traffic is backed up already with four lanes of traffic" during concerts and events at the convention center. She worried the redesign would "become an issue where people don't even want to come down here because it takes so long to get in and out of traffic." By contrast, Eric and transportation data showed current traffic demand (under 10,000 vehicles/day) is well below two-lane capacity (10,000+/day), and the micromobility study found lane reduction would not affect traffic speeds. David Luna argued for prioritizing the 99% of time when no special events occur: "Building a street for one event that happens a year, right? ... 99% of the time, this let's let's build it for that 99%."

Bike Lane Connectivity and Delineator Safety: Jen Duff raised skepticism about isolated design segments lacking north–south connectivity ("will it just be the people who live in this area that can use it on their bikes?") and flagged conflicting advocacy feedback on delineator safety. She noted someone with cycling expertise warned that delineators "are not safe for cyclists which is the opposite of what we've been hearing" and requested deeper investigation. Eric acknowledged connectivity will take years to build out but emphasized the project must start somewhere.

Project Timeline and Momentum: Jen Duff expressed frustration with the project's extended deliberation (five years of discussion). She urged: "I also feel like we've been dragging this project for years and years at this point. So, I would want it to move quick so we can actually use this money... let's not drag this on for longer than necessary." John Giles echoed the urgency, noting "some council members won't be around forever," and wryly alluded to Vice Mayor Summers' stated one-and-a-half-year timeline for the fire station project.

Downtown Revitalization Philosophy: David Luna presented a comprehensive pro-pedestrian argument grounded in economic development, public health, and community building. He cited Lancaster, California precedent showing a street redesign generated $270 million in economic output and 800+ permanent jobs, and shared personal testimony about car-free living in downtown East Mesa fostering civic engagement and community connection. His position: "We don't realize... how much just walking or biking from place to place in a small geographic area, how much I connected with people... I fell in love with the community." This framing positioned the Center Street project as essential to realizing the council's stated goal of a vibrant downtown, implying that maintaining the status quo guarantees stagnation: "If we want that vibrant downtown... yet we're not going to make the change and we're going to stay with the status quo, we can't be surprised when our downtown doesn't change."

ASU Innovation Zone Context: John Giles emphasized the strategic importance of the Employment Opportunity District amendment, noting a meeting with ASU President Crowe. Jim Butler positioned the Tempe Novas corridor as a successful model for university–city partnerships creating mixed-use environments. The amendment represents groundwork for a broader downtown transformation strategy linking ASU, convention center expansion, hotel development (Serine House), and residential infill.

Duration

Mayor noted hard stop at 8:45 AM due to separate commitment (state fire school); did not appear to reach that constraint.

Other Notable Items

Fire Station 224 Groundbreaking (East Valley Quarterly Meeting): Council Member Jen Duff noted recent groundbreaking for Fire Station 224 in Southeast Mesa to improve response times and safety; Vice Mayor Summers indicated one-and-a-half-year construction timeline. Council Member Goforth attended East Valley quarterly collaboration meeting at Mesa Gateway; toured airport with Brian O'Neal and Ryan Smith discussing development.

Mesa Arts Center "Club 48" Membership Program: Jen Duff attended performance at Mesa Arts Center and highlighted new "Club 48" exclusive arts experience program offering members deeper engagement with artists, gelato, and community connection.

Whimo Manufacturing Facility Tour: John Giles toured Whimo manufacturing facility in South Mesa (Magna manufacturer producing Whimo vehicles; approximately 200 employees). Mayor Harkey from Chandler attended; friendly rivalry noted over Whimo's Chandler origin versus Mesa manufacturing presence.