Mesa mayor optimistic over deal with the Cubs

MESA – Mesa’s mayor said he is optimistic the city can reach a deal with the Chicago Cubs over a new spring training stadium.

Mayor Scott Smith said his city has discovered several ways to meet a July deadline to keep the Cubs despite a setback that seemingly doomed the effort.

The city is working with the team on various plans that could bypass the state Legislature, which failed to pass a bill that was critical to funding a new spring training complex.

Smith would not reveal specific funding plans. But he did say mayors in other cities want to work with Mesa to keep the Cubs.

The National League team’s estimated annual economic impact to the area is $138 million.

A new training complex would cost about $119 million.