Three sites in Mesa have the potential to provide the Chicago Cubs with the type of unique retail-shopping experience that the team wants to include as part of a new spring training complex in the city.
The team said it wants to build Wrigleyville West as a “marquee family and entertainment destination” near the new complex.
Mesa agreed in early June to provide half of the financing for the new stadium and practice facilities, with the team responsible for any additional financing and the entire cost of the adjacent retail development.
A study, financed by the city, looked at a downtown site and two other potential locations. The Cubs have said they would prefer to build the retail complex at the Riverview Golf Course, but the study said all three locations could support viable projects.
The study did not recommend a site, but provided comparisons on several factors, including access, traffic congestion, and competition from nearby retail developments.
Mesa will provide $84 million for the training complex from its enterprise fund, which would be supported by sale of undeveloped city-owned land in Pinal County and an increase in the hotel room tax to 5% from the current 3%.
The city said the land sales would be conducted “in an orderly, market-driven fashion over the next 25 years.”
Voters will decide on the tax increase in November. The tax is expected to generate $1 million a year to support debt issued to build the facilities.
The Cubs have established a website,
