Mesa’s City Council has given its unanimous approval to a development agreement covering Legacy Park and Gateway Crossing, a mixed-use project of roughly $3 billion in private investment in the southeast part of the city. City officials announced the vote, and AZ Big Media reports that the project is being described as the largest private investment in Mesa’s history.
A Growing Gateway Area
The project sits in an area that has been drawing steady public and private investment for years. Nearby anchors include Mesa Gateway Airport, Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus, Arizona Athletic Grounds and State Route 24. According to KTAR, the development will occupy about 200 acres east of Ellsworth Road, between State Route 24 and Williams Field Road, just north of the Arizona Athletics Grounds.
Beyond the Development Agreement
The development agreement was not the only action the council took. KTAR reports that members also passed annexation and zoning ordinances and entered into a retail development tax incentive agreement. Axios Phoenix adds that the council created a 428-acre theme park district. It will fund infrastructure such as roads and parking garages through an additional tax on purchases, restaurant bills and hotel stays within Legacy Park.
What City Leaders Are Saying
Mayor Mark Freeman said the project offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and that the city negotiated to ensure it is a sound deal for taxpayers. He pointed to the new tax revenue it is expected to produce for public safety, streets, parks, libraries and other city services.
City Manager Scott Butler said sustainable city finances depend on expanding the revenue base as well as controlling costs. He noted that although the project is in southeast Mesa, the taxes it generates could support services for residents citywide. He also told Axios that the project could help Mesa capture tourism spending that now goes to Scottsdale and Phoenix, adding that southeast Mesa is having its moment.
Economic Impact Projections
An independent analysis by Applied Economics, as cited in the city’s announcement, estimates the development could produce about $58.8 billion in economic activity, more than 13,500 jobs and $1.4 billion in city tax revenue over 30 years. Construction Review Online summarized those estimates as nearly $60 billion in total economic output over three decades.
Other reports cite smaller numbers. Axios cites a more conservative Applied Economics figure of $7.4 billion in economic output and $545 million in tax revenue for Legacy Park. The figures differ in the area they cover and the time period they use. When citing numbers, check which project area and timeframe each one refers to.
What Will Be Built
Legacy Park and Gateway Crossing are planned as connected destinations with hotels, dining, retail, office space, housing and a public park. They will also include pedestrian connections plus transportation and utility improvements to serve the growing area. For residents, that means more places to work, eat, shop and stay close to home, and a better chance that visitor and local spending stays in Mesa.
Connect CRE, citing the Phoenix Business Journal, lists the planned full buildout:
- 400,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and fitness space
- A 600-room luxury resort and a 150-room boutique hotel
- 3.8 million square feet of Class A office and corporate campus space
- 2,261 multifamily units
- A 20-acre urban park with a 10-acre activity lake
Developer Vestar, whose Arizona projects include Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace, told KJZZ in 2025 that it sees a need for more lifestyle retail in the Southeast Valley.
How the Financing Works
The agreement ties major parts of the project to specific requirements and milestones. AZ Big Media explains that developers must front the cost of eligible public infrastructure and meet set conditions before they are reimbursed. Reimbursements will come over time from designated tax revenues the development generates, under the terms of the agreement.
What Happens Next
With the agreement approved, the project can move to its next stages. According to Axios, Legacy Park is expected to break ground in 2028, with the first phase opening in October 2029. It joins other recent growth around Gateway Airport, including the Cannon Beach and The Nox concert venue. City leaders hope the project will strengthen the area as a regional hub for business and entertainment.
