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Construction is going quickly on the highly anticipated Medina Station, a 64.5-acre mixed-use development located at the southeast corner of East Southern Avenue and South Signal Butte Road in East Mesa. The project, which represents a $117 million commercial investment, will feature approximately 40 acres dedicated to retail and dining spaces anchored by Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Mesa Development project marks a significant milestone for the area, bringing the first new Target store to Mesa in over two decades.

Local residents have long expressed frustration with the limited retail and dining options in East Mesa, making this development a much-needed addition to the community. The commercial portion will include approximately 300,000 square feet of retail space, with Target purchasing 10 acres for a 148,000-square-foot store. In addition to the major retailers, Medina Station will feature a dedicated “restaurant row” with five high-quality dining establishments, including the recently signed Ohso Brewery, which chose this location despite typically commanding higher rents in other Valley locations.

Breaking News: Construction Begins on 64.5-acre Medina Station Mixed-Use Development in East Mesa, Arizona

The long-awaited transformation of the Signal Butte and Southern Avenue intersection has officially commenced with construction equipment now visible on site. SimonCRE, which is overseeing the retail development alongside Target, has confirmed that ground has already been broken for the Target building, with work on Dick’s Sporting Goods expected to begin later this year. The project represents a significant investment in East Mesa’s growing market, with developers projecting a $400 million boost to the area’s economy once fully operational.

The Medina Station project will feature a “desert modern” architectural style that will unify both the residential and commercial areas of the development. Beyond the retail components, the master plan includes 23 acres dedicated to multi-family housing, with approximately 650 units planned in three- and four-story apartment buildings to be overseen by Bela Flor Holdings. A walking and jogging path will connect the apartment community to the shopping district, creating an integrated neighborhood experience that addresses both shopping and housing needs for East Mesa residents.

Project Details: 300,000-square-foot retail campus anchored by Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, with restaurant row featuring five high-quality dining establishments

The Mesa Development project is taking shape as a premier retail destination, with Target’s 148,000-square-foot store serving as the primary anchor. Alongside it, Dick’s Sporting Goods will open an impressive 80,000-square-foot, two-story location that represents a more advanced retail store for the company, according to Deputy City Attorney Kelly Whittemore. This expanded format for Dick’s was specifically incentivized by the city as part of their development agreement, highlighting the commitment to bringing premium retail experiences to East Mesa.

Perhaps the most anticipated element of the development is the dedicated restaurant row, which will feature five mid-class, high-quality, or contemporary casual dining establishments. These restaurants, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet, will be arranged along a landscaped row with outdoor seating and pedestrian-friendly walkways. The city has placed specific requirements on these establishments to ensure uniqueness and quality, including a provision preventing duplicate restaurants within a 10-mile radius (with exceptions for Mesa Gateway Airport) and limiting eligibility to brands with fewer than 100 locations nationally. Ohso Brewery, known for its craft beer and contemporary dining experience, is among the confirmed restaurants coming to the development.

Major Tenant Announcements: Boot Barn, Hawaiian Bros, Café Zupas, Einstein Bros Bagels, US Bank, Zara Nails, GoodVets, and OHSO Brewery among confirmed businesses

The Mesa Development is already 70% pre-leased, indicating strong commercial interest in the East Mesa market despite developer Joshua Simon noting that the area “has to prove itself up” compared to established retail corridors. In addition to anchor tenants Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, several prominent retailers and service providers have signed on to join the project. Boot Barn will bring its Western wear retail concept to the development, while Hawaiian Bros and Café Zupas will contribute to the diverse dining options available outside of the dedicated restaurant row.

Service-oriented businesses will round out the tenant mix, with Einstein Bros Bagels, US Bank, Zara Nails, and GoodVets already confirmed for the development. The addition of Ohso Brewery represents a significant win for the project, as Simon revealed they secured the popular brewery concept by offering more favorable lease terms than would be available in more established retail areas like Queen Creek or Gilbert’s Heritage District. “We’ll put our hat in the ring. We’ll give you a lower rent. We’ll give you better, more attractive deal terms,” Simon explained regarding their strategy to attract quality tenants to East Mesa, where demographics are more diverse and less concentrated than in some neighboring communities.

Economic Impact and Timeline: $117 million commercial investment creating a retail center for East Mesa, with first phase openings scheduled for summer 2026

The economic implications of Medina Station extend far beyond the initial $117 million capital investment for the commercial portion. According to an analysis by Applied Economics, the project is expected to generate $26.9 million in revenue for the city over a ten-year period through 2037, far outweighing the $6.36 million incentive package offered by the City of Mesa. The development agreement includes specific performance requirements to ensure completion of key elements, with the developer eligible for tax reimbursements only after building and dedicating public infrastructure such as sidewalks, traffic signals, and water and sewer lines to the city.

While construction has already begun on Target, the overall timeline projects that Dick’s Sporting Goods must be completed within 48 months of the development agreement taking effect. Simon has indicated they “hope Dick’s will start later this year” with initial openings in the project beginning as soon as July 2025. However, the full buildout, including all five restaurant row establishments, must be completed within 48 months to qualify for maximum incentives. Economic Development Director Jaye O’Donnell described Medina Station as “a transformative development” that “checks so many of the boxes that we’ve been trying to accomplish with our retail attraction strategy,” positioning it to become “a destination not just for Mesa residents who’ve been clamoring for this type of development and these types of brands but also for the entire region.”