MESA, Ariz. — It was the mall in Mesa for decades. Then others started popping up, such as Chandler Fashion Center and Arizona Mills.
And the popularity of online shopping did it no favors. Fiesta Mall then saw a sharp decline with its last shop closing its doors in 2019. The hollow shell of a building was then demolished last year.
There were rumors the land would become a new community college, hospital or the new home for the Arizona Coyotes. Now the City of Mesa is one step closer to transforming the land Fiesta Mall sat on for so long. At a recent City Planning and Zoning Board meeting, members voted unanimously to recommend approval to rezone the 89 acres of land for mixed-use.
It would allow homes, offices, and retail space, if approved by City Council. "This is a really significant project for the city of Mesa," said Mary Kopaskie-Brown, the planning director for the city. She said the city has been working with the developer Verde Investments.
Kopaskie-Brown said the plan is to build 4,000 housing units, workspaces, restaurants, and a green space that could be used as a music venue. All ideas are important to the city. "A place where people can live, a place where people can shop, a place where they can come and spend the day," Kopaskie-Brown said The project is called Fiesta Redefined .
The proposed plan also states that the developer would incorporate classic Fiesta Mall art pieces that are still standing. A spokesperson with Verde Investments sent 12News a state.
