A new poll shows that the Rio Salado Crossing campaign
is "so close" that the last vote cast on May 18 "might
literally decide the race," according to Robbie Sherwood of
the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Voters in Mesa, Gilbert and Queen
Creek "remain almost evenly split" on the $1.8B development,
which would include a new stadium for the Cardinals. The
closest race is in Mesa, where 45% of the voters support the
project, 45% oppose it and 10% remain undecided. The poll
numbers "hardly budged" from an Arizona Republic poll taken
in January. The development project would be funded by a
quarter-cent sales tax "increase" in Mesa to help pay for
the $497M stadium and convention center. The other $1.3B is
for retail, commercial and office development that will come
from "private monies." Analytical Research surveyed 407
registered voters in Mesa, 203 in Gilbert and 141 in Queen
Creek, from May 1-4 (AZ REPUBLIC, 5/9). The AZ REPUBLIC has
endorsed the Rio Salado Crossing project (AZ REPUBLIC, 5/9).
In Phoenix, Robbie Sherwood writes that voter turnout is
expected to be low next Tuesday (AZ REPUBLIC, 5/10).
