Citywide vote would be required if Coyotes sought public monies in possible move to Mesa
Independent Newsmedia
Posted 5/18/23
It is unknown if the Arizona Coyotes hockey team is interested in building a stadium in Mesa at the old Fiesta Mall, but city officials are amenable to developing the area.
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(The Arizona Coyotes posted a Twitter poll May 18 @ArizonaCoyotes.)
It is unknown if the Arizona Coyotes hockey team is interested in building a stadium in Mesa at the old Fiesta Mall, but city officials are amenable to developing the area.
“For years Mesa has supported the redevelopment of the Fiesta District. Aside from being a key site for the district, Fiesta Mall is one of the most attractive pieces of urban real estate in the Valley today. It is massive, adjacent to three major highways and only 20 minutes from two major airports,” according to a city of Mesa statement regarding the potential redevelopment of the former Fiesta Mall site.
“We look forward to working with the property owner on proposals to bring diverse uses to the Fiesta Mall site and long-term sustainable and vibrant economic activity to the Fiesta District,” it states.
The statement was prompted by emails from the media, said Ana Pereira, Mesa public information and communications director.
A May 16 special election to approve or deny a proposed Tempe Entertainment District showed voters rejected the project, according to unofficial results.
If approved, the propositions would have allowed Alex Meruelo’s Bluebird Development to proceed with the construction of a mixed-use development to transform an abandoned city landfill into a new stadium for the Coyotes among a number of new attractions.
If public money was used for a Coyotes arena in Mesa, it appears a vote of the residents would be required, according to Section 613 of the Mesa city charter under “voter approval for certain public expenditures.”
According to an email from Pereira, the Mesa city charter states: “Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter of the city of Mesa, the city shall not expend public funds, grant tax concessions or relief, or incur any form of debt in an amount greater than $1,500,000 and/or exchange or grant city-owned land of a fair market value in excess of $1,500,000 to construct or aid in the construction of any amphitheater, sports complex, cultural or entertainment facility, arena, stadium, convention facility, or multipurpose facility without approval of the majority of the electorate voting thereon at the next ensuing election.”
