Mesa Grande

Mesa Grande

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About our association

About Mesa Grande

Residents of the Mesa Grande area have been meeting informally for almost ten years to help create quality neighborhoods and improve the quality of life of the area. The purpose of the coalition was to address community revitalization projects and ensure that any new development that occurs in the area is compatible with the neighborhood.

The Mesa Grande area is a very mature area of the City of Mesa and is considered a "high-risk" (i.e., pockets of poverty, dilapidated buildings, and crime) area. The area has a high percentage of Hispanic residents for whom Spanish is their first language. Therefore, a language barrier exists within the area. The area represents the Northwest Gateway to Mesa and is characterized by high and medium density residential neighborhoods mixed with large industrial employers and small commercial areas, parks, historic and Archaeological sites, canals, schools, and wide streets. The Mesa Grande area takes its name from the Mesa Grande Ruins Archaeological site. This site, along with other attributes of the area, has the potential to be considered a "Point of Pride" for the neighborhood as well as for all of Mesa. However, the Mesa Grande Archaeological site has been left undeveloped for many years. To make it truly a visitor destination, it is in dire need of improvements. These will enhance its appearance and make it more accessible and help achieve long term sustainability.

Mesa Grande is home to many residents that choose to live in an older neighborhood because of its convenient location, nearness to extended family, and quality lifestyle. The community is characterized by its positive attitudes toward families and education, and for taking collective responsibility for maintaining safe, attractive, diverse, friendly neighborhoods, and a high quality of life. The Mesa Grande area's numerous community assets, employers, faith-based organizations, unified and energized neighborhood groups, businesses, health care facilities, financial institutions, schools, and residents work together to make the area a healthy, vibrant community.

Despite its many positive attributes this area faces several significant issues that stand in the way of achieving its full potential. The Mesa Grande area has numerous incompatible land uses that create barriers between neighborhoods; vacant lots that often collect trash and litter and are a magnet for crime; streets are congested with traffic; and residential areas that are becoming too dense. The area has overcrowded elementary schools, aging public facilities, and is developing urban problems that threaten property values and neighborhood quality of life. The area boasts neighborhood-serving retail and commercial uses, parks, historic districts, archaeological sites and canals, public and charter schools, places of worship, and the beginnings of a neighborhood transportation system that could provide residents with convenient opportunities to walk, bike, or bus.

In order to effectively plan for the future, the neighborhood values must be identified. Values are things that are so important to the citizens of the area that, no matter what, the area residents will not compromise. Values are the reasons we live and do business in the neighborhood and without them, it would not be the place we care about and call home. The values of the area are attributes that must be preserved.

Mesa Grande Values

Family oriented and a focus on children
Stable neighborhoods
Strong sense of community and individual responsibility
Encourage creative approaches and be proactive to addressing neighborhood concerns
Acknowledge and celebrate the area's diversity; unity with diversity
Heritage of the area
Business friendly
Acceptance of newcomers