Fiesta Mall site atop 80 acres in Mesa continues to be demolished
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
A municipal filing earlier this week in Mesa may be a beacon of hope for the redevelopment of the defunct Fiesta Mall site near Southern Avenue and Alma School roads, proponents say.
As demolition of the 80-acre site stands at about two-thirds complete, Verde Investments filed its formal zoning application with the city of Mesa on Monday, Oct. 16, at City Hall, 20 E Main St.
Proponents of the project contend Verde Investment’s application seeks to shift the site’s zoning from its commercial designation to infill district-2, which they say allows the redevelopment pursuit an envelope to remain consistent with the Mesa 2040 General Plan.
“The vision for Fiesta Redefined is exactly what our name implies: Verde intends to completely redefine this 80-acre parcel, changing it from a sea of concrete into a live-work-play community unparalleled in the East Valley,” said David Leibowitz, a spokesman for Verde on this project. “Imagine a walkable, bike-friendly, outdoor mixed-use environment teeming with open space – a place where Mesa residents can walk to work, take the dogs out to the Village Green, then stroll to dinner, shopping or to check out live music.”
Verde has chosen Nelsen Partners as its architect for the project, according to a press release.
Nelsen Partners has led mall redevelopment projects across the southwest, including the ongoing redevelopment of Paradise Valley Mall. The redeveloped Fiesta property, which comprises nine parcels, could include up to 4,000 new apartments and homes, plus up to 1.85 million square feet of retail and commercial space, according to the zoning change request now at City Hall.
Fiesta Redefined will include more than a half million square feet of open space while its architecture will be “progressive, creative, diverse, and respectful of the natural environment,” as described in the zoning application.
With the zoning application filed, extensive community outreach is underway as Verde works with residents, the business community and the city to build support for the redevelopment.
“The potential for Fiesta Redefined – the partners it can attract and what the redevelopment can add to quality of life and the economy in Mesa – feels limitless,” Mr. Leibowitz said. “The team Verde has assembled looks forward to working with the city, residents and Mesa leaders to make sure everyone benefits from what comes next for a location that has meant so much to many of us for decades.”
