Mesa council directs staff to test market for 51–55 E. Main Street redevelopment
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Summary
Mesa staff will release an RFQ/RFP to identify developers for 51–55 E. Main St., seeking a long‑term ground lease and a development that could include Mesa Arts Center programming, city offices and leasable Class A space; council asked for financial details and design flexibility before final agreement.
Mesa's City Council on Feb. 23 authorized staff to move forward with a market outreach process — issuing an RFQ and RFP — for redevelopment of 51–55 East Main Street, a key frontage adjacent to the Mesa Arts Center.
Staff presented a feasibility concept and asked council for direction to solicit development proposals. "The city will be taking the lead to release the RFP and the RFQ, selecting the developer, and implementing the agreement with the developer," staff said. The recommended approach envisions a long‑term ground lease in which the developer owns improvements while the city would retain certain occupation rights.
Why it matters: Council members framed the site as an opportunity to add dense, downtown uses — including ground‑floor food and retail that support arts‑center attendees and upper‑floor Class A office space to attract employers that value proximity to higher education. "It's a flexible space... we need to go vertical in downtown in order to really provide the job opportunities," Council Member Duff said in support.
Council questions focused on financial risk and design control. Vice Mayor and others asked about the capital stack and the city's exposure: who pays what and how much city subsidy might be required. Staff replied the RFQ/RFP is intended to "test the market" and that detailed deal terms — whether a long‑term lease or land sale and any city contribution — would be negotiated after developer proposals arrive.
Council member Taylor pressed whether the shown rendering was final; staff said the image was a feasibility concept developed by Gensler and is not an architectural final: "We are seeking a developer for this opportunity, not for this design," staff said.
What comes next: Staff said it plans to release the RFQ/RFP within about a month, allow a 30–60 day response window, then vet respondents and return with shortlisted partners and deal options. Council asked staff to prepare clearer financial scenarios — including expected timelines for return on investment and possible city commitments — when staff return with recommendations.
Ending: The council gave direction to proceed with market outreach; no final development agreement was approved at the meeting.