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EAST VALLEY
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Sunday, December 2, 2018
Affordable home Dobson golfers worry crisis looms over Mesa BY GARY NELSON Tribune Contributor
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sea of challenges awaits Mesa as it seeks to guide the development of its housing stock over the next decade. Primarily, according to a report prepared by a prominent Valley economist, Mesa faces a growing need for low-cost housing as a hefty portion of its population struggles with low incomes. The city is gathering data and public feedback for its next housing master plan, which will go to the City Council in early 2019. The document will serve as Mesa’s framework for evaluating proposed housing projects across all income spectrums. The new policies will be guided in large part by an extensive study of Mesa’s economic and housing conditions conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Co., a leading Arizona economic analysis firm. One headline from the study: Based on population projections, Mesa needs an average of See
HOUSING on page 9
(Special to the Tribune)
Dobson Ranch Golf Course ranger C.J. Wolfe’s future at the popular site could be jeopardized – along with the low fees that make it so pupular with golfers – if the city follows through with a plan to turn management of the landmark course to a private company. The city says the course needs some work, but golfers say it doesn’t warrant private management. For details, see page 4.
Rockin’ no more: Mesa theater rides into sunset BY JASON STONE Staff Writer
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The Rockin’ R Ranch in Mesa has closed its doors after nearly 35 years in business. The company is selling most of its Old West memorabilia at a live auction this week.
ocal dinner theater fans were sad to learn that the nearly 35-year-old Rockin’ R Ranch in Mesa would be serving its last meal and performing its final songs over the weekend. But the reason the 1800s-themed, Old West theater on Baseline Road between Higley and Power roads closed up shop yesterday, Dec. 1, has more to do with the future than Arizona’s past. “We love what we do, but our real business is changing,” said Joe Robson, the founder of the dinner theater and patriarch of a family of singing entertainers. The “real business” Robson is talking about is See
ROBSON on page 6