By Cecilia Chan | Mesa Tribune
Mesa’s downtown has a lot going for it with unique retail and restaurants, a convention center and hotel and the light rail.
But it also has challenges, including the lack of foot traffic, walkability and an unfavorable perception of the area by outside residents, according to a consultant firm hired last year to attract and retain the city’s retail base, which includes hospitality, restaurants and entertainment.
“I’m a big believer that if you’re going to have a successful retail district, successful downtown you have to have a healthy mix of local regionals and nationals playing together working together in these areas,” said Aaron Farmer, president of The Retail Coach at the Nov. 7 council study session.
