Mesa and ASU partner to add more higher education programs downtown

June 19, 2018 at 6:24 pm

Mesa City Council recently took action to bring ASU programs and classes downtown. The agreement calls for an approximately 115,000 square foot higher education facility on City-owned land on the northwest corner of Pepper Place and Centennial Way.

The programs and classes make up the new ASU @ Mesa City Center. Areas of study include digital and sensory technology, user experience design and film and media arts. These programs utilize augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and 3D design. The technology developed through these programs can impact the medical, aerospace, manufacturing and entertainment industries, as well as support tech start-ups and entrepreneurs. The new building is expected to open for students for the fall semester of 2021.

The project budget is $63.5 million and will be funded by City revenues. ASU will contribute $10 million towards the interior build-out and be responsible for all ongoing operations and maintenance costs, currently estimated at $1.3 million.

Along with the ASU building, the City is designing Mesa City Center as part of a burgeoning downtown innovation district. The first phase is made up of a 2-3 acre gathering space called The Plaza @ Mesa City Center and an adaptive reuse of Mesa's first library at the southwest corner of First Street and Centennial Way into The Studios @ Mesa City Center. The Studios will allow the collision of ideas between industry leaders, entrepreneurs, students and the public.

The design phase for these projects will begin in early August.

For more information go to www.mesaaz.gov/asumesacitycenter.

Public Information and Communications
Contact: Steve Wright
Tel. 480-644-2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov