A private company for the first time will manage and operate the city-owned amphitheater and convention center in hopes that it’ll generate revenue to invest in capital improvements and drive more foot traffic and businesses to downtown Mesa.
Council in a 5-0 vote last week approved a five-year contract, with renewals, with Legends Global Convention Center Management, LLC, effective Sept. 1.
“Since taking office of mayor, I have been passionate about finding a path forward for these important community assets,” read a statement from Mayor Mark Freeman who was absent from the Aug. 17 meeting.
“Early on, I began conversations with the city manager, Scott Butler, about how we could reinvest in these facilities, strengthen their future, and explore a public-private partnership that could bring new opportunities to downtown Mesa while protecting the interests of our taxpayers.”…