The Mesa City Council on Sept. 8 authorized the city manager to execute a ground lease, development agreements, an option to purchase and related sale documents with RN1 Real Estate to enable a three‑phase development known locally as Cul de Sac on a 25‑acre downtown site.

Council members and downtown stakeholders framed the project as a potential catalyst for downtown revitalization: the developer and city staff describe a first phase of 140 for‑sale townhomes, a second phase with a minimum 225 units that could be for‑sale or multifamily, and a third, larger phase totaling roughly 610 rental units, for a project totaling about 1,000 housing units and an estimated minimum of 800 parking spaces to serve the development.

Terry Medeska, president and executive director of the Downtown Mesa Association, told the council, "Cul de sac represents a rare and timely opportunity to keep Downtown Mesa's momentum moving forward," and urged support, saying the project would bring residents who would patronize downtown businesses.

Opponents at the meeting raised concerns about parking, grocery access and the scale of the project. Kerry Davis, a former mayor of San Bernardino speaking against the plan, said the agreement "does not provide enough minimum required parking spaces" and called for alternative approaches for the site.

Jeff McVay, the city's manager of urban transformation, described the phased plan and the project's public commitments: "The first phase is a 140 unit for sale townhome product," he said, and staff explained the agreements include reimbursements to the city for some public infrastructure and a requirement that a portion of the land sale purchase price be reinvested in off‑site pedestrian and bicycle improvements to connect the project to light rail and downtown.

City Attorney comment to council clarified that the lease is structured to create phased deadlines and accountability: if the developer does not meet specified conditions precedent for each phase, the buyer cannot close on the sale for that phase, limiting the city's exposure if obligations are not met.

Supporters said the project will add residents needed to attract retail such as grocery stores and to increase light‑rail ridership. Developers and several council members said they favored the mix of for‑sale product and density in the downtown location. The motion to approve the agreements was made by Councilmember Duff, seconded by Councilmember Pillsbury, and passed unanimously.

What happens next: the approved agreements include performance conditions and phase closing requirements; staff said the agreements create timelines and accountability and that the city will require developer compliance with phase obligations before property sales close.