General
Motors Corp.'s 3,200 acre proving grounds in Mesa, Ariz. is on some pretty hot property, and the city is hoping the
automaker will be willing to relocate in order to clear the way for new homes and other developments,
according to Arizona's East Valley Tribune. GM hasn't made a decision one way or the other, but assuming it can find a
suitable alternative site in Arizona and the price is right, the deal could go through and help the company's troubled
bottom line.
[Source: East Valley Tribune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Leo @ Apr 25th 2006 10:33AM
If Carlos Ghosn is in the driver's seat at GM that property is already sold. GM is too late to the party on every decision it's faced with. That's why they're on their way to oblivion.
Eoghan Farquhar @ Apr 25th 2006 10:43AM
Isn't there a lovely desert in China/Mongolia... the Gobi? They (GM) want to be global, so to h... with them, go test in China. I hear there is lovely real estate outside of Bagdhad as well - it would give them the chance to test the IED-proofing of new Hummers at the same tim.
That One Person @ Apr 25th 2006 10:52AM
If I were GM, I would sell it. They need all the money they can get...
gbh @ Apr 25th 2006 11:34AM
I was surprised they hadn't sold it 10 years ago when I live in PHX. Even then, it was worth some decent $.
Everybody else is farther out of town - closer to the nice winding roads in the mountains. Oh yeah, and easier to control the 'spy photo' shots.
Sean Flanagan @ Apr 25th 2006 11:44AM
To quote my father, "Mesa is probably just annoyed that their title of 'fastest growing city [in Arizona]' was lost to Gilbert." Asinine though it may sound, 3200 acres would surely help move Mesa up the list and increase the tax revenue by quite a hefty sum. Combine that with GM's financial troubles of late (and want for creative means for recuperating), and this is a move that makes sense for everyone. Everyone except for the current local residents, of course, who would have to deal with more road closures and dust problems due to 3200 acres of new construction. They would also have increased density and subsequent "road improvement" construction that they are already having to deal with as a result of the Gilbert and Chandler expansion...
PS Gilbert is the town next door, where my parents are soon to be living about 5 miles from the proving grounds. Chandler, another town over, also passed Mesa on the Census list of fastest growing cities in the US.
naif @ Apr 25th 2006 12:38PM
what is the rush, if they wait awhile they can get it cheaper at the bank? sale.