MCC isn't the only local corporation with an obligation to invest in this area. Obligation, you ask? Yes, I'd say obligation rather than opportunity: Westcor, which operates the Fiesta Mall, is theoretically one of the major draws for this part of West Mesa, and yet much of the properties surrounding it are underutilized and the land it owns or controls could be put to better use as well. We discussed the need to encourage Westcor to do something with the land, including the possibility of a theater complex highlighting an arthouse theater (which I think would be an amazing addition) a hotel of some sort (another idea I'd like to talk to the Mayor about encouraging) and increased nighttime security patrols (having walked and ridden through those parking lots at night, I can attest to a certain feeling of imminent danger).

For Westcor to put a theater at or inside Fiesta Mall would be an incredible boon to the community, I think. Before the collapse of Southern and Alma School the area boasted 4 or 5 theaters, and, according to Mayor Scott Smith, they all did rather well. If an integral goal of the city's plans for this area include generating higher amounts of foot traffic, theaters, cafés, and restaurants would be a good way to start.

All of which nicely brings us back to my favorite cross-streets, Southern Ave. and Alma School Rd. Dominated by the bewildering Bank of America building, the property at the Northwest corner sets the tone for the entire neighborhood. Whenever I walk by, I make sure to keep a lookout for Mad Max and crowds of postapocalyptic road warriors chanting, "TWO MEN ENTER ONE MAN LEAVES".

(here we put some photos)

The property is owned by The Grace Companies. According to Mr. Kavanaugh and others at the City, when they bought the land, a stipulation in their contract specified a substantial penalty for early repayment of the loan taken to buy the land. This is what we at VioPac call really fucking stupid. Essentially the Grace people were even offered a buyout by the city, where Mesa would pay them essentially what they would have made from sales tax, but they wanted more: they wanted you and I, as Mesa taxpayers, to buy them out of the loan. Needless to say, that didn't happen.

And so Southern and Alma school decays under the hot sun.

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