International Existing Building Code Analysis - Downtown Mesa - RFP Announcement - Adaptive Reuse

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is being advertised for use in submitting information that will be used to select a firm/individual with whom the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) hopes to negotiate an agreement for the described services.

Consultant will perform an analysis of a certain number of existing structures in downtown Mesa in accordance with Chapter 14 of the 2015 International Existing Building Code with the purpose of creatively analyzing what alterations, repairs, or additions would be needed to achieve potential changes of occupancy without requiring full compliance with Chapters 5 through 13, except where compliance with other provisions is specifically required by the 2015 IEBC.

It will be essential for the consultant to think creatively and critically about the opportunities of each individual building and the most cost-efficient way to meet the goal of maintaining or increasing the current degree of public safety, health and general welfare in the building. The consultant will be expected to work in concert with the City of Mesa’s Building Safety department.

Responses will be accepted until Friday, January 29, 2016. A copy of the full RFP is available on the NEDCO website at nedco-mesa.org/IEBCRFP.html.

Bye bye Tribune employees in Downtown

Mark Pierce of Lee and Associates just tweeted that he got the assignment to sell the Tribune Building in Downtown Mesa. It is 107,000 SF. Ok everyone, think outside the box here, and let's get a company in here to bring more jobs to Downtown. Light rail access will be a bonus in the deal.

Encredicon.... yes I said Encredicon

Evermore Nevermore is going to rock the local geek art scene in early September with their very own “Encredicon!”

(That’s Evermore Nevermore Comic Review of Enlightened Drawing and Inscribing Convention, just so you know.)

Sept 10, 6pm-10pm
Sept 11, 12pm-6pm
Part of Downtown Mesa’s “Art Attack On Main.”
Taking place at Evermore Nevermore.
“A mini comic convention with the spotlight on local Valley comic book artists and writers.”
Local Independent comic book artists and Sci-fi fashion show!
Free screening of Sacrifice, a monster movie put together by some locals.
If you are a local artist and want to participate, they have some info click on the link below about how to get involved.


http://www.evermorenevermore.com/encredicon_artisans.htm

Take me out to the Ball game via light rail ...in Mesa?

There is finally some talk about Downtown being an option for the Cubs stadium. I always thought it was a likely choice but was told by former powers that be in Downtown that it would never be a discussion. Of course I wanted to know why and the answer was the idea died when Hohokam was built down the road. I continued to conversation with others and many were on the same page as I was/am... times have changed or at least should!

The Tribune's article today confirms that Downtown may be back on the table for a stadium location. Here are some excerpts from the article "The Chicago Cubs are scouting a growing number of locations across Mesa for a spring training complex, including along the light-rail line downtown. The new locations could dramatically change the character of the complex, as a downtown spot would call for a denser, more urban development.
A downtown location would also revive an idea born in the 1990s, when Mesa was planning to rebuild Hohokam Stadium for the Cubs and had considered moving the team to 40 acres of land it owns downtown. Supporters of the idea said it would transform the downtown, but the team stayed in Hohokam.
Light rail wasn’t part of the equation back then. It will arrive downtown in 2016 and has sparked renewed interest. Mesa’s 40 acres on the southwest corner of Mesa and University drives are several blocks from light-rail access, but the city is looking at plans that could involve using land that’s now privately owned to take better advantage of the transit line.
“If there were property available, we’d like to see the stadium as close to light rail as possible,” City Manager Chris Brady said."

I know someone will wake me up but this dream is kinda sweet - people getting off the light rail train at the stop just east of Center and walking through our beautiful Downtown to see a game, then heading to the micro brewery for an after game drink, all the while commenting that they should have taken advantage of the opportunities in Downtown Mesa before it became the place to be and be seen.

Things to do at the awesome Mesa Arts Center

Hanson
7 p.m. Sept. 14, Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater, $32
The blonde-locked "MMMboppers" are all grown up, and the brothers - natives of Tulsa, Okla. - have just released their fifth studio album, "Shout It Out."
NBC's "Last Comic Standing"
8 p.m. Sept. 17, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $40
The Emmy-nominated TV show currently weeding out the comic competition Monday nights on NBC will return with a new group of finalists.
Sheena Easton
8 p.m. Oct. 1, Piper Repertory Theater, $38
Eighties pop star and Grammy Award winner Easton performs an intimate, stripped down concert, highlighting hits from her 30-year career.
Nikki Yanofsky
7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater, $30
At the age of 16, this Montreal-born songstress has already headlined international jazz festivals, played Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, toured with award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch, performed with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, and had a No. 1 hit on the Canadian music charts with her single "I Believe," the official song for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Vince Gill
7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $52-$67
The Country Music Hall of Famer and 19-time Grammy winner gives an intimate performance.
Jean-Michel Cousteau
7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, single ticket price not yet posted
The underwater explorer and conservationist - and son of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau - reflects on his father's life and legacy in this National Geographic Live Speaker Series presentation.
Ravi Shankar
8 p.m. Oct. 23, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $40-$70
Named the "Godfather of World Music" by Beatle George Harrison, Ravi Shankar's talent has been compared to that of Mozart. The virtuoso sitarist, composer, teacher and writer is India's most esteemed musical ambassador. In addition to the performance, there will be a celebration of Indian traditions before the show.
Eugenia Leon
8 p.m. Oct. 30, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $34-$38
The Mexico City-born songstress is often considered to be one of the best singers in her country, and her shows have been called cultural gems.
"Celebrity Autobiography"
Nov. 4-21, Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse, $35
The hit New York comedy show and winner of the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Best Unique Theatrical Experience features a line-up of revolving comedians who perform and interpret unintentionally hilarious words and stories written by celebrities. The ever changing cast has included "Saturday Night Live's" Rachel Dratch, "The Soprano's" Steve Schirripa, "Ugly Betty's" Vanessa Williams and "Law & Order SVU's" BD Wong and Paul Rudd. Mesa's cast has not yet been announced.
Straight No Chaser
8 p.m. Nov. 5, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $35
Last year, this group's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" became the hottest viral video of the holiday season. Instead of relying on digital processing and vocal tooling, they reinvent a cappella pop.
Lang Lang
7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, 2011, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $52-$92
Named one of "Time" Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2009, Lang Lang might be the most popular pianist on the planet. He was watched by over five billion people in the 2008 Olympic Games, and his performances have sold out all over the world.
Joshua Bell
8 p.m. Feb. 11, 2011, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $40-$70
Apart from winning Grammys and Oscars, Bell has made music for movies such as "Angels and Demons" and "Defiance," and was named 2010 instrumentalist of the year by Musical America. The accomplished violinist's concert is expected to sell out quickly.
Canadian Tenors
8 p.m. March 4, 2011, Tom & Janet Ikeda Theater, $35-$45
The group recently seen on "Oprah," fuses the powerful tenor voices of four talented young men with an eclectic blend of classical and contemporary pop.
Steve Tyrell
7:30 p.m. March 18, 2011, Piper Theater, $44
One of last season's fan favorites, Grammy Award winner Tyrell makes an encore to perform jazz standards.

Home, Sweet Home! in Downtown Mesa, of Course

Richard III

Southwest Shakespeare Company of Mesa AZ, is going to start their production of Shakespeare's Richard III this week at the Mesa Arts Center. And we celebrate the Bard's birthday this Friday,the 23rd!

Took this from Jennifer Hanson's blog about her date in Downtown Mesa

Jennifer's blog- Nothings and Notions from my Noodle tell about a recent date with her husband. Apparently she got the idea from a book called

Simply Romantic Dates on a Dime. Jennifer said "Downtown Mesa, AZ is a very interesting place to visit. It has a beautiful center for the arts - which brings in some excellent concerts and plays - and a museum of contemporary art. One of the more unique features of Mesa is the permanent sculpture collection - an outdoor display of sculptures that spans a six-block stretch of Main Street. But the sculpture we came to see was this one

A twenty-five-foot sculpture of the famous painting by Grant Wood, American Gothic. This traveling exhibit, named God Bless America and created by J. Seward Johnson, has been touring cities all over the U.S. and has most recently made a stop in our very own Mesa, AZ.

This thing is incredible. When viewed from across the street, it appears to be a 2-D cut-out from every angle - looking like someone had simply sliced up the original canvas and enlarged it. One has to be right under it to be able to see the three-dimensional, gigantic details. It was a very interesting effect.

we headed into the Museum of Contemporary Art for "free admission Thursdays."

(Museum of Contemporary Art - photo by Devin Hanson)

Jennifer's date Devin Hanson took these pictures. All of them in our wonderful Downtown, which is a secret to the 97% of the 460,000 residents of Mesa! WHY, when we have all of this to be proud of. I love it when people find us and take pictures to remember!

Contagious is an understatement. You can't stay away.

There are a new batch of adorable glamour hats that you will want to pick up at Contagious on Main Street in downtown Mesa. They retail for $25 each. Check them out, I bet they go quick

.http://makazhome.blogspot.com/2010/04/glamour-hats-just-in.html

All Aboard...Light Rail

Arizona PIRG, a group that advocates for the public interest, released a report this week titled The Business of Light Rail. According to the AZ PIRG website, the report provides an on-the-ground perspective of how light rail helps small business owners in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Many of the businesses mentioned were negatively impacted by the light rail during several months of construction. Now that the system is up and running, the business owners are seeing the benefits of having light rail roll along the streets of Phoenix. What exactly does the report accomplish?

However, as of yet, there has been no document which compiles anecdotes of how the light rail has benefited the local economy. This report provides real-life examples of businesses that have thrived by having light rail access near their establishments, documenting perspectives from local business owners in their own words that statistics simply cannot provide.

Arizona PRIG

There report mentions six common themes and perspectives amongst the 14 businesses profiled in the document.

¨ increased foot traffic due to light rail

¨ businesses shaping their location decisions in anticipation of light rail, thereby potentially decreasing urban sprawl

¨ light rail’s value as a transportation alternative for special events like community festivals

¨ increased visibility for the businesses near the light rail

¨ light rail’s role in community development

¨ light rail’s role as a mobility option for people who cannot drive.

Here is the link to the report

http://www.arizonapirg.org/home/reports/report-archives/smart-transportation/smart-transportation/the-businesses-of-light-rail-a-compilation-of-local-business-interviews.

Another announcement about Mesa's extension of light rail....

Mesa to unveil light rail extension details. Metro will give the public its first full look at how the light rail system will look in downtown Mesa when the planned 3-mile extension is to be completed in 2016.

The April 24 presentation will unveil the latest plans for where stations will be positioned, how they will be designed and how they will integrate with the city’s plans to redevelop downtown. After taking public comment, Metro will proceed with engineering the four-station extension. This open house will be held in conjunction with other downtown Mesa events including the MacDonald Street Farmers’ Market and MACFest. It will take place at:

Saturday, April 24, 2010
9 a.m. – noon
18 W. Main St., Mesa (between de la Cruz Bistro and Milano’s Music)

For additional information on this meeting or project, please contact Carla Kahn at (602) 744-5552 orckahn@metrolightrail.org. Light rail extension information is also available online.

We are so lucky to be a part of this...

I was reading some other blogs about Downtown Mesa and just had to pass them along.
Brittany and Andrew obviously have great taste in photographers who think "Artistic buildings, green gardens, water sculptures and cobblestone alleyways- I love downtown Mesa! " You know great minds think alike and these guys at Visions by Smiddy rock! Wonder if they have offices in Downtown, they should if they don't.
http://www.visionsbysmiddy.net/2010/03/brittnie-and-andrew-engagement-session.html

Then check out what Dorie is doing to one of those awesome houses in the neighborhood. She sure is right that the Arizona State Women's Club needs to cherish their gem in Downtown and spruce her up a bit. "Our historic district is filled with bungalows and tudors and the occasional ranch style home."
http://tuesdayswithdorie.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=12

You know sometimes I want to keep this all to myself and then I realize how selfish that would be, others should have the opportunity to love our Downtown also.

LA Times knows how great Mesa is... let's own it.

Don Shirley

Special to the Los Angeles Times

March 7, 2010

Reporting from Mesa, Ariz.

What does Forbes know?....
...as Mesa's Blandsville image fades, we visiting ex-Mesans are frequently surprised.

If you know where to look, you'll find plenty of life.

I enjoy a stroll along downtown Mesa's Main Street, where a small farmers market and a crafts fair take place on Saturdays from October through April. The area is spruced up with pretty palo brea trees, green street lamps and a collection of lifelike sculptures on street corners — plus all-local businesses.

Like most of Mesa, downtown is becoming more diverse. One spot, Inside the Bungalow, a charming converted 1916 house, features good coffee, yoga, massages, light lunches and open-mike Wednesdays. I never tasted Thai food during my Mesa years — but now it's on Main Street at the superb Nunthaporn's.

See the entire article at http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-mesa-20100307,0,763068.story

Motorcycles on Main

Last night was not your typical evening in Downtown Mesa. People were all over Main Street- checking our motorcycles! Music could be heard from Center to Robson and beyond. People were laughing, dancing, eating, drinking and checking out bikes. It was the beginning of another reason to head to Downtown after City Hall closes. Now there is a free event every First and Second Friday of the month. First fridays are dedicated to Motorcycle enthusiasts and their friends. Each evening will bring four live bands, four beer gardens, outdoor dining and "Sturgis" style parking of Harleys, BMW's, Indians, Triumph's and others - even a Benelli or two (not the bikes though...)

Restaurants were running specials, there were food vendors on the street and Chester's Harley the Gold Sponsor of the event made a spectacular entrance. At about 6:30 PM, I don't know how many bikes came roaring into town- thought I was in ... well any other Downtown but Mesa. But there is proof we were in Mesa and I wasn't dreamin' check out the pictures and just imagine what next month will look like.

See you there.