11/3 Cubs to stay in Mesa

The Cubs will get their new Spring Training facility in Mesa. Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly passed Proposition 420 and approved the city of Mesa’s plan for an $84 million complex expected to open in 2013. With 99.3 percent of precincts reporting, 63 percent voted in favor of the measure.

Supporters of the measure watched election results at the Hilton Phoenix East Mesa Hotel, eating Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Several Cubs front office staff, in Mesa for the annual organizational meetings, were at polling places early Tuesday to answer questions.

Proposition 420 authorizes the city of Mesa to spend more than $1.5 million on a sporting facility. Voters also approved raising the city’s hotel tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. Mesa officials say they will not need to raise property or sales taxes for the project.

The Cubs’ complex will be built at the current Riverview Park site in west Mesa near the 202 Loop and include a privately funded “Wrigleyville West” development.

The city and the Cubs still have to finalize details for the land because of a water park developer that also wanted the Riverview site.

“Mesa has done its part,” Mesa mayor Scott Smith said Tuesday night. “Now we’re going to expect the Cubs to do their part with a World Series.”

– Carrie Muskat