East Mesa Pulse for August 31, 2026: Mesa weighs a tax deal for 196-acre Legacy Park near Eastmark

• 🏗️ Mesa considers a tax deal for Legacy Park. The proposed 196-acre development sits near Ellsworth, Williams Field, and the 24.
• 💡 All 46,064 Mesa streetlights now use LEDs. The seven-year conversion cuts annual electricity use by more than 19,250 megawatt-hours.
• 🏫 RMHS begins a three-part planning process Wednesday. The first Imaging the Future meeting starts at 5 PM on the Brown Road campus.
• 🎸 Three Phoenix headliners play early this week. Chicago and Styx, Brandon Flowers, and Kamelot are all downtown.

Mesa is considering a retail-development tax incentive for the proposed 196-acre Legacy Park project, a decision that could shape what gets built near Eastmark and how much city revenue helps pay for it.

Key facts:

• Location: Northeast of Ellsworth and Williams Field, extending toward the 24 and the future Crismon alignment.
• Developer: The project is associated with Vestar and Pacific Proving LLC.
• Current step: Mesa has begun the formal process for considering a retail-development tax incentive agreement.
• Why it matters: The agreement could reimburse some project costs with tax revenue generated by the development.
• Still unknown: The supplied city item does not state a reimbursement amount or final agreement terms.

What to watch: The next draft should show the reimbursement terms, eligible improvements, and the city’s projected return. Details.

Mesa has converted all 46,064 city streetlights to LED fixtures. The city says the change saves more than 19,250 megawatt-hours of electricity each year and avoided more than $7 million in outsourcing costs.

For East Mesa, that means the same fixture standard now runs from established corridors near Power and Brown through newer streets around Eastmark. Details.

🏠 A 1997-built Thunder Mountain home recently sold for about $1.585 million. The figure comes from Maricopa County public records. Details.

Groups interested in joining the 19th annual East Valley Veterans Parade have until Oct. 9 to apply. The parade will take place in downtown Mesa, outside the east-side coverage area but close enough for local veterans groups and schools considering an entry. Details.

A property covering about 2.2 acres near Signal Butte and the 60 is seeking approval for a sitewide sign plan. The site is roughly 1,600 feet west of Signal Butte, on the north side of the freeway.

Mesa staff recommends approval with conditions, and the Board of Adjustment hearing is Wednesday. The filing concerns signs, not approval of an entirely new development. Details.

Mesa is preparing a citywide landscape-maintenance contract covering 18 secured facilities, including Falcon Field, two reservoirs, Municipal Court, and 13 police and fire properties. The contract runs three years, with two one-year renewal options.

The practical piece for the east side is routine upkeep at secured public facilities that residents cannot simply enter when vegetation or access problems arise. The council agenda does not yet provide a contract price in the supplied summary. Details.

• 🎨 Red Mountain Library hosts teen painting Saturday. The 1 PM guided session includes supplies and requires no prior painting experience.
• 🧵 Intermediate quilters make lavender bags Thursday. Red Mountain Library’s THINKspot class covers piecing a scented hanging-square design.
• 🛟 CPR and AED training runs Saturday. Mesa Fire and Medical teaches teens and adults hands-on emergency-response basics at Red Mountain Library.
• 💻 Digital help is available Thursday. Red Mountain Library’s HOTspot desk assists adults with technology questions beginning at 2 PM.

Teens can follow a video tutorial and practice new painting techniques Saturday at 1 PM. Supplies are provided, and no experience is required. Details.

Thursday’s THINKspot class teaches teen and adult participants to sew a small lavender pouch from triangles and squares. The class begins at 10 AM and is intended for intermediate or advanced sewers. Details.

Mesa Fire and Medical’s rescheduled LifeSaver class begins Saturday at 10 AM at Red Mountain Library. Teens and adults will practice CPR, AED use, and basic first aid. Details.

Adults can bring technology questions to the Red Mountain Library THINKspot Thursday at 2 PM. The listing identifies the session as instructional and reference help. Details.

Red Mountain High School holds the first of three Imaging the Future meetings Wednesday at 5 PM. The session is on campus at 7301 E. Brown Road, serving families from Las Sendas, Red Mountain Ranch, and Mountain Bridge. Details.

🏌️ MVHS girls golf plays Monday. The team faces Sunnyslope and Arcadia at Arizona Biltmore Country Club beginning at 3 PM. Details.

🏸 Skyline badminton hosts Desert Mountain Monday. Junior varsity and varsity competition begins at 4 PM. Details.

Chicago and Styx play Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Two long-running rock bands share one bill for a single Phoenix date. Tickets.

Brandon Flowers plays Tuesday at The Van Buren.
The Killers frontman gets a smaller downtown room for his solo show. Tickets.

Kamelot brings the Dark Asylum tour Wednesday.
The Florida power-metal band plays The Van Buren for its only listed Phoenix date. Tickets.