Miles SmithArizona State University is expanding its campus in downtown Mesa through an ongoing public-private partnership that involves redeveloping aging city-owned buildings for university use.
The expansion project is underway three years after ASU’s Mesa campus — also known as the MIX Center — opened in 2022.
Conceptual design is set to begin on the first step of the expansion, which involves renovating a city-owned 190,362-square-foot post office at 135 N. Center Street.
ASU plans to repurpose the building as a center for creative technology that features studios, classrooms, student spaces and a post office.
Mesa will hire a consultant for up to $500,000 to do the conceptual design, according to city officials.
Mesa contributed $64 million toward design and construction of the MIX Center. ASU contributed $33 million for the interior fixtures, furniture, and technology and has a 99-year lease agreement with the city.
ASU’s expansion into downtown Mesa is expected to include a total of five sites. After the post office, the next two potential development sites are the parking lot of Mesa Public Library and a municipal building at 55 N. Center St., according to city documents
The expansion into downtown Mesa also involves two partner locations where the city covers the cost of development and provides ASU designated portions of the property as a potential tenant: the former Council Chambers at 57 E. First St., which ASU will share with the city, and a property at 51-55 E. Main St.
ASU has not yet determined whether 51-55 E. Main St. will be a joint opportunity.
Mesa city officials note plans to make a recommendation on that project by the end of the year.
This investment was largely financed through the city’s Economic Development Fund, which generates revenue from sources such as land sales, sales taxes and building permits from large commercial development projects.
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