In January 2024, Chicanos Por La Causa and the city of Mesa united to break ground on Residences on Main, a market-rate housing development that is in the heart of downtown Mesa.
The development site is between West Main Street and North Country Club Drive, and aims to provide more than 200 units and 19,000 square feet of retail space.
According to Mesa Manager of Downtown Transportation Jeff McVay, the goal for residents to start moving in was initially June 2026, but progress has been very good, meaning leasing could start even sooner.
“Our agreements with CPLC would require it to be complete no later than June 2026, which was along the line of a 2-2.5-year time frame,” McVay said. “In my last discussion with the CPLC representatives that I worked with, they’re targeting an early 2026 time for occupancy to start.”
McVay believes that having a market-rate apartment complex in the heart of downtown Mesa will be a huge boost for the city. He pointed toward Mesa having a population of over 510,000 people, but the downtown only has a population density of 3,600 people. This development, according to McVay, should help increase the population density of downtown Mesa and liven up the downtown area.
“That is not how the 36th largest city in the country’s downtown should be reflected, the highest population density in our city should be in our downtown,” McVay said. “It is imperative that we have people living here as a way to support and generate and create the vibrant downtown economy and activity zone that the city needs.”
Evelyn Guerrero, development director for CPLC, said that working with the city has been a smooth and wonderful process. She specifically shouted out McVay for his enthusiasm on the project.
“Right from the beginning, he’s been very supportive of our project,” Guerrero said. “They love the design and what it brings to downtown Mesa. It’s been really amazing to work with them.”
Guerrero also said that this development comes at a perfect time when Mesa is rapidly growing as a city and as a destination for companies that want to grow their presence in Arizona. The additional housing will be the perfect fit for a city that may see huge growth in its workforce in the coming years.
“Mesa is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. and a lot of companies want to have a presence in Arizona,” Guerrero said. “So that has brought a lot of residents that are looking for housing. This will be providing essential workers with this type of housing.”
Guerrero also pointed out the location and how being next to a light rail station will make accessing the city very easy for residents.
“It’s in a really, really great location just across from the light rail. So that makes it more convenient for a lot of people,” Guerrero said. “So they don’t have to get a car or two cars for the family. They’ll be able to connect with the light rail for work, play, or just to go to other locations.”
McVay gave his ultimate elevator pitch on why anyone interested should lease with Residences on Main. He stressed downtown Mesa’s authenticity and tight-knit community that you can’t get anywhere else in the state.
“There’s not another downtown in the state of Arizona that’s as unique or as authentic as downtown Mesa,” McVay said. “It is unlike other downtowns where it’s just an urban place that you just walk around on the street as a nameless face. You have true community here where you can get to know the owners and operators of your local businesses, and can form relationships with people that you’re gonna see on a daily basis.”
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