Public Infrastructure Incentive
Overcoming Infrastructure Barriers
Redevelopment, adaptive reuse, and certain infill sites often have unique infrastructure challenges that require upgrades to public water, wastewater, electric, gas, or other public infrastructure. The cost of upgrading public infrastructure, in addition to other private capital investments, can be a barrier for quality projects.
The Public Infrastructure Incentive is intended to help address public utility and infrastructure issues that may be preventing projects from moving forward. The program provides a process for evaluating infrastructure needs and determining whether city assistance may be appropriate.
Requirements
Projects must generally:
- Be located within the City of Mesa.
- Support redevelopment, reinvestment, adaptive reuse, infill, or business activation.
- Address an identified public infrastructure barrier.
- Involve public infrastructure located in the public right-of-way, within a dedicated public easement, or otherwise accepted into the city or utility system.
- Have an applicant that is in good standing with the City of Mesa.
Meeting basic requirements does not guarantee funding. Applications are reviewed based on program eligibility, available funding, infrastructure capacity, redevelopment impact, economic benefit, project readiness, and city priorities.
How Does the Process Work?
After an application is submitted, city staff will conduct an initial review to determine whether the project appears to meet basic program requirements.
An initial response does not guarantee funding. If the project appears to meet basic requirements, city staff will coordinate with utility providers and other city departments to better understand the infrastructure issue, scope of work, estimated cost, and appropriate next steps.
Projects are generally reviewed under one of two paths based on the estimated eligible cost of the infrastructure improvements.
Tier 1 – Projects of $50,000 or Less
Projects with estimated eligible infrastructure costs of $50,000 or less may be reviewed through a standard agreement process. No participant match is required for Tier 1 projects, unless otherwise determined by the city based on project-specific circumstances.
Tier 2 – Projects Greater Than $50,000
Projects with estimated eligible infrastructure costs greater than $50,000 typically involve larger or more complex infrastructure needs and may require additional evaluation, coordination, participant contribution, and agreement terms.
For projects that exceed $50,000 but do not exceed $75,000, the city may allow the participant to contribute the amount above $50,000, up to a maximum participant contribution of $25,000, to remain within the Tier 1 process.
Required Reporting
Participants will be required to provide reporting information to help the city measure program outcomes. Reporting may include:
- Business opening date or project activation date.
- Jobs created.
- Capital investment or capital improvements.
- Project-specific metrics where applicable, such as room nights for hotel projects.
Reporting is anticipated to be required annually for three years following project completion or activation, unless otherwise stated in the agreement.
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