BY GARY NELSONTribune Contributor It was a point of pride in downtown Mesa for generations – a Chevy dealership that sent thousands of beaming customers motoring off in their new dreammobiles. But as with almost all the historic businesses that used to line Main Street, Brown & Brown Chevrolet eventually motored off itself, leaving behind an almost 10-acre scar in the heart of the city. Now, with some help from taxpayers, the old car lot could begin to see its resurrection as soon as this summer in the form of a development called the Mesa Arts District Lofts. City Council on March 1 appro ..read more

By Paul Maryniak Tribune Executive Editor and Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services, Mesa Public Schools spent more money on classroom instruction per pupil in 2019-20 than the average spent by other large districts and all districts combined. And when the money spent on student and instructional support is factored in, the 72.1 percent of its total budget spent by MPS that year exceeded the state average of 69.3 percent. Spending by MPS and the state’s other public districts is detailed in the Arizona Auditor General’s annual report that was released last week. That report blows up the freque ..read more

By Tom ScanlonTribune Managing Editor On a pleasant Saturday afternoon during what experts call the tail end of the pandemic, downtown Mesa shows signs of vibrancy. The “restaurant row” strip of Main Street between Center and Robson is percolating, with locals hitting the coffee shops or having lunch-and-drinks at places like Mangos, Tacos Chiwas and Margaritas Mexican restaurants and 12 West Brewing. A half-dozen blocks east, groups gather for picnics at Pioneer Park. Next door, more folks chow down on the patio at Haven Burgers. Others chat through their masks while waiting for the light rai ..read more

By Kevin PirehpourTribune Staff Writer Baseball is back in Arizona and so is one of Mesa’s most popular historical exhibits. After a long hiatus in Mesa, the “Play Ball: The Arizona Spring Training Experience,” is set to open Saturday, March 6, at 10 a.m. as a permanent exhibit at the Mesa Historical Museum. The exhibit takes museum-goers through decades of Spring Training history and the birth of the Cactus League – showcasing old uniforms, signed memorabilia, vintage video footage and other relics of the past that have survived decades mostly in private collections. “There’s a strong presenc ..read more

By Melody BirkettTribune Contributor Tucked in the heart of downtown Mesa is a store whose owner looks for vintage Arizona. “I do mid-century modern and ‘Boho,’ or Bohemian,” owner Cristin Clark said of Buckhorn Vintage at 138 W. Main St. She specializes in vintage furniture, clothing and decor from the 1950s through the 70s, although she added, “I do some clothing from the 80s and 90s but mostly 60s and 70s.” “I try to do high-quality,” Clark said. “All of my furniture my brother and my dad restore. If a piece of furniture needs work, we’ll restore it back to its original quality.” Most of th ..read more

By Alli CripeTribune Contributor East Valley Academy and Crossroads art teacher LeeAnn Slade saw a massive transformation in her students who participated in a colorful campus mural of their portraits. “When we went remote, it was a bit tricky,” said Slade. “When we got back, I thought we needed a project to help connect the students. There were a lot of feelings of isolation or depression.” EVA and Crossroads serve students from 7th-12th grade on the same campus. When classes resumed in mid-January, Slade took photographs of each student. She then assigned them the tricky task of picking a sm ..read more

By PAUL MARYNIAKTribune Executive Editor The $35-million renovation of Mountain View High School is set to begin this spring and by the time it’s done, more than 3,500 students and staff may feel like they’re on a brand-new campus. “We are touching all of Mountain View High School,” Architect Neil Pieratt of SPS+ Architects last week told the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board as he gave an overview of the multi-phased project funded by the $300-million bond issue voters approved in 2018. From a new performing arts addition to possibly a new gymnasium, the entire project on the 45-year-old ca ..read more

By Tom Scanlon Tribune Managing Editor Two were tearful, two defiant, others quietly resolved. They were the elected officials who approved, by a 5-2 vote, Mesa’s new non-discrimination ordinance. After two hours of public comments Monday – with supporters arguing it protected groups from discrimination and attackers contending it puts women and children at risk – Council had its chance to comment on the NDO, arguably the most controversial issue it has tackled in years. Mayor John Giles said he appreciated the extensive comments, then he shot down one of the main complaints by those opposed ..read more

By Tom ScanlonTribune Managing Editor As it takes its name from Falcon Field Airport, it’s not surprising that the Falcon District in northeast Mesa is dominated by aviation high fliers like Boeing, Northrop Grumman and HD Helicopters. Now, a “ground-and-pound” heavyweight has joined the Falcon lineup – and leads a takeoff in jobs in the district. Those who have become accustomed – if not addicted – to online shopping might be finding packages on their doorsteps even sooner, as Amazon has set up a “last mile” delivery hub in the Falcon District. Though Amazon has thrown up huge warehouses in C ..read more

By Tom ScanlonTribune Managing Editor If Mesa City Council joins other big Arizona cities by passing a non-discrimination ordinance tomorrow, March 1, public comments at last week’s meeting suggest few will be truly happy. Some will be upset if the city excludes smaller businesses. The first draft included all businesses. Later study sessions adjusted that, first up to businesses with 15 employees or more, then back down to include all but those with five or fewer employees. Others are furious that the city is even considering the regulation. David Land said he was outraged over language in th ..read more