ASU will expand further into downtown Mesa
The city of Mesa has had a longstanding relationship with Arizona State University , first opening ASU Polytech — formerly ASU East — in 1996. The Polytechnic campus is located in southern Mesa, while the Media and Immersive Experience (MIX) Center is located in the city's downtown.
The success of the MIX Center has given room for ASU and Mesa to begin discussing further expansion there, with multiple buildings being considered.
The location most likely to be first is the downtown Post Office, located on 1st and Center streets. The Post Office will be under lease until 2025, when the building will go back to the city. Though the Post Office will lose the lease, city officials have made it clear that it is a priority to bring the Post Office back.
The projected plan would still keep the Post Offices main functions, but would add large spaces for ASU. Officials cited downtown Phoenix's downtown Post Office collaboration with ASU as inspiration. That building has a functioning Post Office on the north half of the building, with ASU offices, meeting rooms and classrooms on the south half, as well as on the top and lower levels.
City planners also introduced other potential areas for ASU expansion. The parking lot next to the Mesa Public Library was suggested, with major roads on both sides of the building. City officials said an expansion could cause potential traffic issues, as well as the necessity for a new parking area and new entrance for the library.
Other partner locations include the current Mesa City Council Chambers and the Mesa Arts Center Campus.
The MIX Center is just the first step in what Mesa Mayor John Giles calls the ASU Mesa Center for Creative Technology, which will start with the Post Office project. The ASU expansion is among many higher education projects Mesa is adopting, including a new Northern Arizona University Hospitality and Workforce Development Center.
