Anne Ryman, and Maria Polletta

The Republic | azcentral.com

Mesa voters would still need to approve a ballot measure to fund construction

ASU envisions 2,000 students in first five years

Initial phase would include 180,000 square feet

The Arizona Board of Regents gave Arizona State University approval to expand into downtown Mesa, pending approval of the city's voters.

The deal hinges on Mesa passing a ballot measure in November, which would increase the city's sales-tax rate to help fund the buildings.

Mesa would pay for construction of the estimated $102-plus-million facilities and ASU would operate academic programs and maintain the buildings.

The first phase of construction is expected to include two buildings with 180,000 square feet of space with eventual plans for four buildings and 260,000 square feet of space. ASU anticipates about 2,000 students in the first five years and eventually up to 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff.

Academic programs will likely focus on arts and media, digital and sensory technology, early-childhood education and entrepreneurship.

The partnership with Mesa is similar to others that university officials have negotiated in downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale. ASU President Michael Crow told regents on Thursday that he envisions a "world-class facility" in downtown Mesa.

"There are not many opportunities like this that come along where we have an opportunity to leapfrog to a world-class facility," Crow told regents at the board's meeting in Flagstaff.

ASU Chief Financial Officer Morgan Olsen said the Mesa facilities fit with ASU's concept of "one university in many places."

The Mesa facilities would be an ASU location, he said, and would be managed as part of ASU Tempe's budget.

Key details:

Where: The proposed mixed-use campus would cover the square block bounded by Main, Center and First streets and Centennial Way — known as the Mesa City Center — and part of the Mesa Arts Center campus on the south side of Main.

The proposed mixed-use campus would cover the square block bounded by Main, Center and First streets and Centennial Way — known as the Mesa City Center — and part of the Mesa Arts Center campus on the south side of Main. Who pays for what: Mesa has committed to funding construction of the buildings. ASU would lease the buildings for 99 years and furnish and operate the facilities. Mesa already owns the land, which could accelerate the development timeline by eliminating the need for acquisition deals and related expenses.

Mesa has committed to funding construction of the buildings. ASU would lease the buildings for 99 years and furnish and operate the facilities. Mesa already owns the land, which could accelerate the development timeline by eliminating the need for acquisition deals and related expenses. Still unknown: It's not yet clear when construction would begin.

It's not yet clear when construction would begin. Deal depends on sales-tax increase: Officials can't proceed with construction without help from Mesa voters. The City Council on June 20 will decide whether to put a higher-education bond package on the November ballot, as well as a sales-tax increase to help pay off the resulting bond debt.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com