By Lindsey Collom| Arizona Republic
More than 130 acres of desert in northeast Mesa that had been set aside for 20 years as a future regional park now will likely become high-end housing.
Gilbert-based luxury homebuilder Blandford Homes placed the winning bid of $21.1 million in an auction for the land Thursday. The sale is contingent upon City Council approval.
Mesa got a good deal: it bought the property at Thomas and Recker roads for $4 million in 1998.
Representatives from Blandford Homes and Toll Brothers, another luxury homebuilder, volleyed bids during the live auction at Mesa Convention Center before an audience of residents and city employees. Bidding began at $15 million and increased in increments of $50,000.
