Good morning, Eastmark. The flood watch runs through noon Monday, August 31, with another 1 to 2 inches of rain possible in low-lying areas.
- 🏗️ Legacy Park tax talks move forward. Mesa is considering a retail-tax reimbursement tied to the 196-acre project near AZ Athletic Grounds.
- 🏠 An Eastmark home sold for $1.27 million. County records show the 2019-built property changed hands recently.
- 🎸 First Friday Concert returns. The JJs Band plays 1990s hits at Eastmark Great Park.
- 📌 Four neighborhood projects remain on the tracker. Sprouts, Apple, Liv at Eastmark, and Brakes Plus are still in progress.
- 🏐 EHS fall sports hit the road. Volleyball visits Arcadia tonight, followed by golf and freshman football Tuesday.
Legacy Park tax talks move forward
Mesa has taken the first step toward negotiating a retail-tax reimbursement for the large project around AZ Athletic Grounds. Negotiations may define reimbursable improvements and construction commitments, but final terms have not been published.
Key facts:
- Location: The project area sits between Ellsworth Road, State Route 24, Williams Field Road, and the future Crismon Road alignment.
- Scale: A related annexation covers approximately 196 acres at the northeast corner of Ellsworth and Williams Field.
- What changed: Mesa adopted a formal notice of intent Thursday, allowing negotiations over a retail development tax incentive agreement to proceed.
- What it means: The proposal would reimburse some project-generated tax revenue after qualifying improvements are built. Final terms are not yet available.
The site surrounds AZ Athletic Grounds, the 320-acre sports complex formerly known as Bell Bank Park and Legacy Park. It sits across Pecos Road from Eastmark, close enough that new shops and entertainment could change weekend traffic on Ellsworth and State Route 24. The land is part of the former GM Desert Proving Grounds, where residential, industrial, and commercial projects continue replacing the old test tracks.
What to watch: Mesa has not yet published the proposed agreement, reimbursement amount, eligible improvements, or construction commitments. Read the city resolution.
Around Eastmark
A freeway-facing sign plan goes to a hearing
A coordinated sign plan for the 2.2-acre Fairfield project near Signal Butte Road and US 60 goes before Mesa’s Board of Adjustment Wednesday, September 2. The property sits about 1,600 feet west of Signal Butte on the freeway’s north side.
The request covers the project’s signs, not approval of a new building or use. City staff recommends approval with conditions. Read the agenda material.
Gateway Library’s early-week calendar
Homework Club meets Monday, August 31, at 3:30 PM for children ages six to nine, with limited space. Tuesday, September 1, brings a noon caregiver workshop, the start of a 10-week series for relatives, friends, and neighbors who provide child care. Child care is included for workshop participants. Workshop details.
Preschool Storytime begins Wednesday, September 2, at 10 AM, with tickets distributed 15 minutes beforehand. Stay and Play follows Thursday, September 3, at 10 AM for children from birth through age five. Storytime details. Stay and Play details.
Gateway Library sits on the west side of Inspirian Parkway, just north of the Great Park market lot. That makes the branch a practical stop before the school pickup traffic builds along Ray Road.
🏠 A 2019-built Eastmark home recently sold for about $1,267,500. The figure comes from Maricopa County property records. View the county records.
🏘️ EastMarket & Builders
The Eastmark core has live music Friday, the farmers market Saturday, and two midweek fitness options.
🎸 The JJs Band plays Friday, September 4, from 7 to 8:30 PM. The band brings 1990s hits to Eastmark Great Park. Food trucks and Steadfast Diner handle dinner; low-back chairs and blankets are allowed, but pets and glass containers are not. Details.
🥕 Eastmark Farmers Market runs Saturday, September 5. Vendors set up from 7 to 11 AM in the Great Park parking lot off Inspirian Parkway, just north of Ray Road. This is the weekly market, not the EastMarket retail center under construction at Ellsworth and Ray. Details.
🏋️ Funity Fit meets Wednesday, September 2, from 5:30 to 7 PM. Cardio Crush and Dumbbell Dynamics run in the classroom at The ’Mark, 10100 E. Ray Road. Details.
Still Tracking
Quick check-in on projects covered in past editions:
- 🛒 Sprouts at EastMarket (Ray and Ellsworth). Construction underway. Building wraps up around August, Sprouts opens Q4 2026.
- 🍎 Apple manufacturing on Signal Butte. Mesa approved the Foreign Trade Zone agreement May 18, authorizing Apple’s high-tech manufacturing and storage facility at 3740 S. Signal Butte Road.
- 🏢 Liv at Eastmark (NE corner Ellsworth and Ray). 208 apartments across 12 buildings, recently approved. Construction next.
- 🔧 Brakes Plus Mesa (Ellsworth and Elliot). Auto shop still working through council site plan tweaks.
From the schools
Eastmark High School’s volleyball teams travel to Arcadia Monday, August 31, with freshman and sophomore players at 4 PM, junior varsity at 5 PM, and varsity at 6 PM. Varsity details.
The Firebirds’ boys golf team faces Desert Sunrise and Apache Junction Tuesday, September 1, at 3 PM. Freshman and sophomore football travels to Walden Grove Tuesday, September 1, for a 6 PM kickoff. Golf details. Football details.
