Assets, Issues, and Opportunities Influencing Change While change has been a constant in the Central Main Area, change just for the sake of change is not encouraged with this Plan. The Plan Advisory Committee and general public identified community assets that should be protected and built upon; community issues that, when addressed, could result in positive change; and community opportunities that can propel signigicant change. These assets, issues, and opportunities were considered throughout, and helped guide, the development of the Plan. Key assets identified within the Central Main Area included arts and cultural amenities, historic and cultural resources, stable residential neighborhoods, unique Downtown shopping opportunities, and a commitment to small, locally-owned businesses. Key issues identified within the Central Main Area included limited nighttime activities, an unappealing visual experience related to landscape and the built environment, and a lack of property maintenance and Code enforcement. Key opportunities identified within the Central Main Area included the Main Street corridor and extension of light rail to Gilbert Road and beyond (including associated station areas); the amount of developable land owned by the City; small, locally-owned and family-oriented businesses and attractions; quality residential development; and, the existing park and open space system.
Catalysts for Change Over the last 15 years, economic and demographic changes and societal shifts, such as people’s desire to be more environmentally conscious, have begun to provide some of the catalysts for the desired change. In combination with the demographic and societal shifts described below, the catalyst with the most potential to effect change is the introduction of a high-quality and efficient light rail system that connects Mesa with Phoenix. The initial 20-mile system opened in December 2008, with one station located in Mesa just east of Dobson Road. Since operation began, that station has generated the most ridership along the entire 20-mile line. A three-mile extension of the light rail system is now in design with operations anticipated to begin in early 2016. This extension will follow the Main Street alignment through downtown Mesa with stations located at Alma School Road, Country Club Drive, Center Street, and Mesa Drive. A further feasibility study has been initiated for a further two-mile extension of light rail to Gilbert Road. The potential exists to extend the light rail system further east and south from this point. Cities across the country, such as Denver, Portland, Salt Lake City, and San Diego have found that the introduction of light rail can be a catalyst for new development. Within Arizona, the 20-mile light rail system has spurred significant commercial, institutional, and residential development in the cities of Phoenix and Tempe. The three-mile extension of light rail into the Central Main Area, and the associated stations, will provide excellent opportunities to transform the surrounding development from auto-oriented to pedestrian-oriented as more businesses, employees, residents, and visitors have the ability to reduce their reliance on vehicles by using the available transit service. To successfully realize the desired economic development, environmental, 18