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Mesa District 4 Strategic Priorities 2026 Presented by Councilmember Duff The 30,000-Foot View Twelve months from now, success is celebrating the formal launch of the Light Walk corridor with early infrastructure improvements, and development commitments that clearly position Downtown Mesa as the region’s leading hub for arts, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Vision Statement: The Downtown Arts and Innovation District is a vortex of creativity & opportunity, leading the way into the 22nd century. Priority 1: Arts & Innovation District Leverage Downtown Mesa assets—Mesa Arts Center, ASU MIX and future schools, The Studios, Mesa Business Builder, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa Amphitheatre, and emerging innovation spaces into a unified ecosystem to drive Mesa’s creative economy instead of functioning as adjacent destinations Desired Outcome: Establish the Light Walk as a recognizable, branded corridor that physically and culturally connects arts, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This includes coordinated wayfinding, lighting, public art and private-sector interest that signals momentum and investability Priority 2: Catalyze Vertical Growth and Job Creation Along the Arts & Innovation Corridor Attract creatives, employers, and professional-wage jobs while managing growth responsibly and leveraging ASU’s educational pipeline Desired Outcome: Position the Arts & Innovation District for thoughtful vertical development—supporting ASU expansion, incubation and office space, hotels, and employment centers—while attracting creative technologies and innovation-driven employers that generate long-term economic returns. Priority 3: Build a Walkable, Multimodal Downtown Core Growth and redevelopment will fail without a people-first mobility system that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and connectivity—especially as Downtown and West Mesa merge. Desired Outcome: Advance implementation of Downtown Mesa’s Micro Mobility Plan, including protected pathways for walking, biking, scooters, and emerging technologies. Establish momentum toward an autonomous downtown shuttle and strengthen light rail integration to ensure seamless first- and last- mile connections for residents, workers, and visitors Partnerships & Resources Collaboration: Office of Urban Transformation, Economic Development, Development Services, Engineering, Transportation, Transit, Mesa Arts Center, Parks, Recreation, & Community Facilities, ASU Barriers: Funding and Council support. Funding for the Light Walk, ASU expansion and renovation of the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheater. In District 4 we Elevate Mesa by… …transforming Downtown into a nationally competitive Arts & Innovation District—one that attracts talent, investment, and opportunity. Being people- centered and connected is an essential component for success. The Light Walk is not just a corridor; it is a platform for economic growth, creative connection, and mobility innovation that positions Mesa as a destination for 22nd-century ideas, jobs, and lifestyles. When realized, this vision unites Downtown and West Mesa into a single, vibrant area—driving prosperity rooted in creativity, connectivity, and opportunity. Clarifying Questions & Comments