A stretch of Dobson Road in Mesa populated with Asian businesses was given the official designation of the Asian District on Saturday.
Mayor John Giles says the designation shows the growth of the Phoenix area's Asian community.
“When we travel the country, and we see the success and the vibrancy of the Asian districts in the major metropolitan areas of our country, this was going to happen in the Phoenix area,” said Giles.
The announcement was made at the city’s inaugural Asian Festival, which also celebrated the recent Lunar New Year. The festivities included a traditional Lion Dance and other entertainment, as well as food vendors and booths for fashion and crafts.
Mesa City Council member Francisco Heredia, who represents that section of the city, spoke at the unveiling.
“I’m extremely proud to represent this area, to highlight and further showcase the vibrancy and the diversity of this location, of these supermarkets, of these restaurants that have worked so hard over the last 15 years,” said Heredia.
The designation comes with signage at and around the Sycamore and Main Street light rail station.
Heredia says Mesa will be placing further branding along Dobson to acknowledge the district, and the city is looking for muralists to represent the area.
