The Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority (TSA) Board of Directors unanimously approved the City of Mesa's Multipurpose Facility (MPF) Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the new Arizona Cardinals and Fiesta Bowl Stadium in Mesa. The site is located at the southeast corner of the Loop 101 and Loop 202 freeways. The overall development consists of over 200 acres. The City of Mesa will contribute 135 acres, Arizona State University will offer 35 acres in a land swap, and the Hurley family will allow the use of another 33 acres for the retractable field, parking, and other development. The site has excellent soil characteristics and is ready to build. It is located six miles from Sky Harbor International Airport and has received a favorable review by the Federal Aviation Administration. The location offers convenient freeway access and is close to major hotels in Scottsdale and the amenities of Tempe Town Lake. The last major hurdle in the long process was cleared as Mesa and the TSA bridged an $8.5 million gap in funding. The gap was closed through a facility user fee on each business transaction at the new MPF and other savings through reduced parking and infrastructure costs. In addition, The Mesa and Scottsdale Convention and Visitor Bureaus and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community will contribute to some game day expenses. The agreement also addresses local residents' concerns regarding traffic, community, and noise issues. To ease traffic along 8th St., a new roadway will run diagonally from 8th St. to Dobson Rd. and onto Alma School Rd. A Youth Sports Complex will be constructed offering athletic facilities for the area as well as game day parking. Landscaped berms will be added to the development to abate noise concerns among residents. The TSA also approved a resolution giving preference to architects, contractors, and subcontractors whose primary office is in Maricopa County. The binding agreement between the TSA and Mesa will be signed shortly with the final details still under negotiation.