The Sunshine Acres Children’s Home has submitted plans to the City of Mesa to convert 36 acres of its 100-acre campus at Higley Road and East Longbow Parkway into a resort and water park with a 250-room hotel, 21KSF of retail, a conference center and four restaurants.
Plans also call for a separate 125-room limited-service hotel and a 220-room dormitory for the CAE Flight School. A thrift and boutique store to process and sell donated goods, as well as items produced by residents, will also be included.
Power Hotel Group would develop the land for Sunshine Acres, which would retain ownership of the site under a long-term lease agreement. Power would pay Sunshine Acres rent in exchange for development rights.
Project documents say the proposal is essential to allow Sunshine Acres to continue providing housing and services for homeless youth.
The water park would be attached to the 250-room hotel development and feature a lazy river, beach entry and pool bar.
The project is in the pre-submittal phase, with representatives meeting with planning staff before delivering a formal submission.
The developer will request a rezoning from single-family to Limited Commercial with a Planned Development Overlay. The CAE dorm will also require a Council Use Permit. (Source)
