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THE SUNDAY
Disabled man still gives rodeo tips
Tribune
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This Week
NEWS............................... 8 Lemonade on way to becoming the state drink
COMMUNITY............. 9 Mesa residents aim to recruit kids choir members.
BUSINESS.................... 11
Spencer’s TV and Appliances plays Santa early.
GET OUT ...................16 This cheesy dish will make you swoon.
COMMUNITY...................9 BUSINESS.........................11 OPINION.........................13 SPORTS ...........................14 GETOUT...........................16 CLASSIFIED.....................18
EAST VALLEY
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West Mesa Edition
INSIDE
Mesa hurdler takes gold at state meet Sunday, May 19, 2019
Mesa set to OK controversial land deal BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
A
mostly pristine swath of desert studded with saguaro cactus and an undulating wash in northeast Mesa may turn into a resort-style gated community in about four years. The Mesa City Council is poised to accept the $21.1 million bid of Blandford Homes subsidiary Desert Vista 101, LLC, tomorrow, May 20, signaling the beginning of a year-long feasibility period during which Blandford would need a zoning change and a site plan approval before it could close on the sale. A staff report to the council said Blandford put down a $250,000 fee to qualify for bidding on the project, plus another $805,000 in earnest money that was put into escrow. Billed as a community that will be similar to Las Sendas, the development would be built
on a 132-acre site purchased by the city for $4 million in 1998 and originally reserved for development of a large park. But voters rejected two park bond issues in 2000. The site — marked by large saguaro cactuses, a meandering natural desert wash and a commanding view of Red Mountain — has remained largely untouched for nearly 20 years. “This issue will be debated for one and a half years. I think this is very exciting for us to have a win-win situation,’’ Mayor John Giles said. Giles believes the land can be sold at a great profit for Mesa and that part of the desert also can be preserved as a public trail. Jeff Blandford, president and CEO of Blandford Homes, said he is planning a gated community similar to his other resort style developments, such as Las Sendas Mountain, Mountain Ridge and The Grove at Valencia. He pledged to work closely with Red Moun-
tain residents and the city, but cautioned that the development is a long way from taking shape. “We will do the best we can to come up with a plan that works for them, that works for the city, that works for us,’’ Blandford said. Residents of Red Mountain Ranch, a large nearby subdivision, have objected to the land sale, saying they were expecting a park. A small private park operated by the Red Mountain Homeowners Association sits on property, which also has an undeveloped trail. Angelica Guevara, a city planner, said it was an “oversight’’ when staff members did not remove signs on the property, left over from the failed bond election, that touted the site as a future park. Blandford said Red Mountain residents want improvements to their private park and
Major hangar This is their week project coming to Falcon Field
see AUCTION page 6
BY JORDAN HOUSTON Tribune Staff Writer
M
esa’s Falcon Field Airport, known for its rich history and as a major economic engine for the city, is adding at least 20 hangars to accommodate its growing clientele. The municipal airport, which serves private and military aircraft, announced last week that it’s preparing for a 23-acre development – complete with ancillary offices and manu-
see FALCON page 3
Mountain View High School senior Jane Wambui picks up her hat and gown as she and countless thousands of her peers across the East Valley prepare for graduation this week, though Chandler has some schools graduating the following week. (Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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