In 2013, NEDCO, with State Farm and LISC, hired Tad Savinar and Jesse Stemmler to pull together concepts that could be put into action at a low cost in the alleys north and south of Main to support Mesa's small business community during light rail construction and beyond. Many of the concepts presented were adopted by property and business owners and their implementation with significant matching grant support from State Farm.

1. ENVISIONING MESA’s SOUTH ALLEY
I M P R O V E M E N T T O O L K I T F O R B U S I N E S S O W N E R S
NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
September 4, 2013TAD SAVINAR JESSE STEMMLER

2. ELEMENTS OF A VIBRANT RETAIL ALLEY
W
VI
L
WAYFINDING ELEMENTS (Orienting visitors and providing easy
navigation of place)
VISUAL INTEREST (Materials, Color, Details, etc.)
LANDSCAPE (Plantings)
D DIVERSITY (Mix of business types, spaces, experiences)
S SAFETY & VISIBILITY (Putting eyes on the alley)

3. SOUTH ALLEY

4. LE STUDIO SOUTH ALLEY ENTRY
USE EXISTING BUSINESS PATTERNS AND COLOR SCHEMES
L

5. NILE THEATER & TRANSITIONAL
LIVING BUILDING
W D

6. GUNNELL’S & CATHOLIC BOOK STORE
W D S

7. TRE BELLA

8. HISTORY BY GEORGE & PIZZERIA
S

9. SOUTH ALLEY LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT IDEAS (CITY OF MESA)
Integrate pedestrian friendly lighting
Landscaping & Tree Planting
Downtown appropriate signage
Paving Treatment
Misc. Furnishings (trash receptacles, tables, benches, etc.)
Utility placement
Alley Gateway Elements (banners, sign, etc.)
Additional Wayfinding Elements (banners, signage, etc.)
Evaluate parking need vs. pedestrian experience
Canopy/Lighting treatment in alley
Plug Alley Into Existing/New City Events, Festivals, etc.
Branding/Identity

10. PEDESTRIAN PATH AT PARKING LOT
W S

11. CONNECTING CORRIDOR

12. ALLEY GATEWAYS (EAST & WEST)

15. END
OF
PRESENTATION