Five sites are under consideration as the new home of a Chicago Cubs spring-training complex in Mesa, but two are emerging as the front-runners.
The two are Riverview Park and downtown Mesa.
The sites have some pretty specific criteria attached: besides serving as the home to a new ballpark and spring-training complex, the site must also have enough land for developer — i.e., a hotel, restaurants and other retail development in a Wrigleyville West complex.
Of the three, we’re most intrigued by downtown Mesa, which is one of the hidden gems of the East Valley as it is. Going to a San Francisco Giants spring-training game in downtown Scottsdale is such a delight because of the presence of a vibrant downtown; while we don’t foresee downtown Mesa growing to the same size as Scottsdale, the addition of a Cubs facility could certainly bring some investment capital to the area. Add in some light-rail service in 2016, and the so-called Site 17 location could be perfect.
Still, there are pluses to the other sites. The Riverview site is where the Waveyard waterpark has been proposed; it has lots of easy freeway access for players and fans alike. Still, with another developer having an option to buy the land, using it for a Cubs facility could be problematic.
A referendum this fall requires passage of a measure to allow the city of spend $84 million on a new complex and the raising of local hotel taxes to help pay for it. The city also plans on borrowing against surplus land in Pinal County once needed for water rights.
RELATED STORIES: Cubs to Naples: We prefer to stay in Arizona, thank you; Florida group to Cubs: Tell us if we’re really in the running to land spring training; Naples: We think we still have shot at landing Cubs spring training; Cubs, Mesa working on new spring-ballpark agreement; Mesa: We’ll finance Cubs ballpark on our own; State funding for Cubs spring facility “dead”; Florida explores new money for luring Cactus League teams; Selig pushes Cubs aside, will directly negotiate funding of new spring venue; Legislators: Yup, we want Cactus League ticket tax; Cubs: We’re not wedded to idea of Cactus League ticket tax; Cactus League teams, Selig oppose Cubs spring-training funding; Mesa to ask for state aid to keep Cubs; Cubs seriously looking at Naples spring-training bid; Naples: We’re serious about landing the Cubs; Ricketts to visit Mesa next week to tour potential spring-training sites; Lawmaker: Florida should up spending to lure spring camps for Cubs, Brewers; Cubs’ spring-training future doesn’t lie in HoHoKam Park; Mesa delegation to pitch Cubs on spring-training facilities
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they’re posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!