The City of Mesa is looking at ways to improve its convention center and amphitheater to drive economic activity downtown.
The upgrades may provide the City with the ability to bring in more events with a higher quality, according to consultants. Conventions, Sports & Leisure International provided a 190-page report listing recommended improvements to meet Mesa’s needs.
CSL’s report analyzed various venues in the Valley and interviewed event workers to determine an optimal direction for the amphitheater. Many interviewees described Mesa’s amphitheater as dated. Many also brought up the concern of restrictions caused by the adjoining hotel and ballroom.
Others spoke of positive aspects of the theater, such as its flexibility. The theater also has the appeal of being able to hold outdoor events. The layout of the campus was reviewed positively, as it allows guests to easily move from room to room.
Councilwoman Jenn Duff expressed the City should move quickly on the project or quickly decide to move on from it and seek other developments.
The report laid out two separate paths Mesa can take to improve the conference center. The first method would include developing a 10KSF outdoor patio space, renovating and expanding the lobby, improving the area’s connection to downtown, renovating the ballrooms and meeting rooms and improving the facility’s wi-fi. This solution has an estimated cost of $30.3M.
The second path is less intensive. This option would involve improvements to the lobby and wi-fi. A fabric tent would be employed to create a covered pavilion outdoors. This solution is estimated to cost the City $18.3M.
The report also included two separate paths for amphitheater improvements. The more expensive option would be to add overhead shading and mister stations, as well as a permanent beer stand. This option would also include the addition of a VIP seating area, green room, hospitality space, improvements to the rigging system and projection mapping. These changes have an estimated cost of $17.4M.
A less expensive option would simply include the green room, hospitality area, improved rigging and overhead shading/misters. This option has an estimated cost of $9.8M.
Local businesses, such as the nearby 12-story Delta Hotel, expressed support for upgrading the facility.
Funding sources are one of the most pressing issues with the potential renovations. Convention centers typically are not large revenue generators, as many cities must foot the bill for shortfalls and operation costs. (Source)