Discover Mesa! Vibrant • Dynamic • Friendly play e work V li For more than 100 years, SRP has helped improve life in the Valley. Today, we’re continuing to help develop a strong economy by attracting businesses and a qualified workforce. We partner with companies to provide guidance on their power, water and telecommunications needs. Equally important, we encourage continued education and support economic development. After all, GROWING STRONG we live and work here, too. To learn how SRP can help your business grow in the desert, IN THE DESERT. visit srpnet.com/econdev. MESA BRINGS EVERYTHING HOME A TTRACTIONS Mesa Arts Center GOLF COURSES Mesa Historical Museum Amazing Jake’s Food and Fun Arizona Golf Resort Organ Stop Pizza Apache Trail and Superstition Mountains Augusta Ranch Golf Club Outback Safari Company Apache Trail Tours Desert Sands Golf Course Park of the Canals Arizona Museum for Youth Dobson Ranch Golf Course Queen Creek Olive Mill Arizona Museum of Natural History Gold Canyon Golf Club Rockin’ R Ranch Arizona Temple Visitors Center The Golf Club at Johnson Ranch Rose Garden at Mesa Community College Barleen’s Arizona Opry Dinner Show Greenfield Lakes Golf Club Saguaro Lake Ranch Trail Rides Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre Kokopelli Golf Club Salt River Tubing & Recreation Commemorative Air Force Museum Las Colinas Golf Course Schnepf Farms Dolly Steamboat Las Sendas Golf Club Stratum Laser Tag Fighter Combat International Longbow Golf Club Superstition Farm Tours Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour Red Mountain Ranch Country Club Superstition Mtn. Lost Dutchman Museum Golfl and/SunSplash Toka Sticks Golf Course Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District IMAX at Gateway 12 Trilogy Golf Club Tortilla Flat LaserQuest CrossWoods Indoor Golf Lost Dutchman State Park USA Skateland Mesa INFORMATION ABOUT ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND GOLF COURSES, PLUS SHOPPING AND DINING CHOICES IS AVAILABLE AT VISITMESA.COM. Visit us online. We’ll prove it’s the smartest move you can make. VISITMESA.COM MA07131 DiscoverMesa fp2.indd 1 10/23/07 4:50:11 PM welcome CONTENTS WELCOME! Residents Dan and Kristin Alber, owners of Domestic Bliss, share their thoughts. Page 3 DISCOVER MESA A closer look at the City of Mesa. Page 4 ARTS ALIVE The Mesa Arts Center is world-class. Page 6 GOOD NEIGHBORS History and new growth meld neighborhoods. Page 8 QUALITY OF LIFE There are many reasons to call Mesa home. Page 10 TOP OF THE CLASS From pre-K to college, education scores high. Page 11 LIVE Choosing to live the good life. Page 12 WORK Business-friendly environment sparks growth. Page 20 PLAY There’s plenty of room to stay and play in Mesa. Page 31 SPECIAL FOLD-OUT Look inside for an eight- page economic development section. Includes area map. Lance Entrekin, attorney, commercial litigator, 10-year Mesa SPRING TRAINING GAME AT HOHOKAM STADIUM, HOME OF THE CHICAGO CUBS resident 2 i Discover Mesa: The future is now Mesa residents and business owners, Dan and Kristin Alber, hold name throughout Greater Phoenix. have a vision: a vibrant downtown scene, with an eclectic The couple and their three children, ages 15, 8 and 6, live collection of shops and one-of-a-kind restaurants to serve a in their thoughtfully renovated, 1918-built historic home just public, hungry for more. outside of downtown. “We wanted to preserve the history Progress is evident throughout the City of Mesa. Historic and value of what’s already here,” homes are being renovated with tender loving care. Families said Kristin. “It adds value to the community.” are visiting parks, museums and other venues. And new busi- The Albers enjoy all that Mesa has to nesses are thriving downtown. With a population of 460,462, offer, from museums to arts centers. power-packed growth continues to create new opportunities. They also have opened their home to the Mesa Historical “Mesa is rich in history and charm,” said Kristin Alber, Society’s home tours, and have worked to raise funds to longtime resident and business owner in downtown Mesa. benefit juvenile diabetes. Work, live or play, the Albers are ac- “It’s a great place to raise a family and to own a business.” tive participants. “Mesa’s got the whole package,” said Dan. Kristin and her husband of 11 years, Dan, opened the “And we’re proud to be part of this community.” home furnishings and accessories boutique, Domestic Bliss, in downtown Mesa in 1999. In 2000, they expanded to open the adjacent Baby Bliss, adding children’s accessories to their offerings. Mesa’s GOT THE whOLE paCkagE AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE A paRT OF ThiS COmmUNITY.” –Dan Alber “We’ve been successful because we’re unique — we don’t stray from who we are,” said Kristin. The businesses that have done well here are just that: specialty shops that “provide personalized service, she added. “If it’s the right fit, the potential for success is unlimited.” The Albers and Kristin’s family have set the bar high for Dan and Kristin Alber, investing in the City of Mesa. When expanding Domestic owners of Domestic Bliss, and long-time Bliss, Kristin’s parents bought the building, renaming it the Mesa residents C.M. Berge Building, after Kristin’s grandfather, Charles Marion Berge, who in 1944 had purchased Mesa’s first Ford dealership. He then grew the business to become a house- Discover Mesa! i 3 welcome GENERAL MANAGER Discover Mesa Cami Kaiser Boasting smart growth, great amenities, MANAGING EDITOR Kennes Marie Apodaca passionate residents, Mesa continues to thrive EDITOR Jim Williams HOSE WHO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN MESA KNOW WHY IT’S SPECIAL. MANAGING ART DIRECTOR It’s the blue skies, thriving Tracey Phalen Teconomy, university life, arts, SENIOR ART DIRECTOR culture and Major League Baseball Steve Adams spring training, for starters. Mesa’s outstanding schools, abundance of GRAPHIC DESIGNER Carl Bezuidenhout jobs and great housing options also make it special. Then there’s the fact that no matter AdVERTISING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES where you go in Mesa, you’re never far from Lorri Blankenship, Joanie breathtaking views and spectacular parks. Boston, Roberto DiPaolo, Kerry O’Grady, MaryBeth Sbragia, Lenore Simon Passion for PeoPle But another reason Mesa stands REPUBLIC CUSTOM PUBLISHING out among other cities is its people. 200 E. Van Buren St. A vibrant community spirit is alive in Phoenix, AZ 85004 Mesa, where people care about each (602) 444-4822 other and the city where they live. Fax: (602) 444-4277 “When you live in Mesa, you feel DOWNTOWN MESA connected to other people,” said Roc Arnett, a longtime Mesa resident and president of the East Valley Partnership, which helps to creating a strong and growing employment promote the East Valley. “Mesa residents base. Mesa’s school systems are among have long shared a vision of making the best, with diverse higher education this a great place to live. It’s something and job-training resources. Arizona we’re passionate about,” Roc said. State University’s esteemed Polytechnic Chris Zaharis, With such advantages, it’s no wonder campus is also here, and expanding. vice president Mesa is one of the nation’s fastest- of Empire growing cities. By 2020, the population GrowinG better Southwest is expected to reach 567,000. Residents of Mesa enjoy a low cost of Mesa is ready. living, along with well-managed local Many high-tech corporations, including government committed to smart planning Intel, have extensive operations here, for urban and suburban growth. story by kate fitzGeralD 4 i Discover Mesa! OPEN WIDE! A YOUNG VISITOR AT THE ARIZONA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY “Planners showed a lot of foresight in neighboring cities, with the new METRO light Walking and bicycling are popular developing and widening the highways rail extending one mile into Mesa city limits. along Mesa’s many paths and in its around Mesa over the years,” said Chris multiple parks. Swimming at Mesa’s many Brady, Mesa’s city manager. “The 202 Quality of life public pools and water parks, is a favorite Loop is the final piece in a plan that will Downtown Mesa, anchored by historic activity, and the near-perfect weather complete a loop around the city. It brings Main Street and the nearby Mesa Arts makes golf a year-round passion here. Mesa closer to other cities, so this is one Center, is a hub of arts and culture, Adventure-seekers will find everything of the most conveniently located places hosting a steady stream of high-caliber they need in Mesa. It’s surrounded by hiking to live in the metropolitan area.” performances and art exhibitions. trails that stretch toward the Superstition In addition to easy freeway connections When it comes to playing and having Mountains with its stunning scenic views. in every direction, Mesa residents also fun, Mesa residents have plenty of choices. Each year, thousands set off from Mesa to go have access to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway The Chicago Cubs come to town every tubing on the Salt River, or take in the desert’s Airport, which is poised to become an spring to play in Hohokam Stadium, beauty and wildlife through nature tours. important base for regional air passengers. enjoying the perfect weather and bringing Now we invite you to read on, and discover Public transportation also connects Mesa to locals a taste of big-league excitement. for yourself what makes Mesa so special. Discover Mesa! i 5 Discover it! MaC helps loCal arTs groups Flourish The Mesa Arts Center has allowed award-winning local theater troupes, musicians and artists to fully showcase their talents. For example: n The Symphony of the Southwest, formerly known as the Mesa Symphony Orchestra, has been delighting audiences since 1956, yet calls the Mesa Arts Center’s Tom and Janet Ikeda Theater its first permanent home.