The historic Mesquite Rodeo has a new owner who plans to use the arena as the centerpiece of a mixed-use real estate development
Mehrdad Moayedi, who did the $230 million renovation of downtown Dallas' landmark Statler Hotel, has purchased the rodeo complex located off Military Parkway in Mesquite. Dating to the 1980s, the rodeo buildings with about 100,000 square feet of space sit on almost 17 acres just east of LBJ Freeway.
Moayedi said he has already started work on upgrades to the buildings and is designing a new project that will adjoin the rodeo.
"This is a historical rodeo and it has a legendary name," Moayedi said. "We want to bring it back to its glory days.
"It needs a lot of repairs, to the tune of $4 million to $5 million," he said. "We have already started construction."
Moayedi said he's contracted to purchase more than 50 acres adjacent to the Mesquite Rodeo for construction of a new project.
"We are doing a mixed-use deal there that will have some high-density residential on one side and some entertainment on the other side," he said. Several restaurants are also planned with the development.
Improvements to the rodeo arena will include a new concrete floor to make the facility more versatile, Moayedi said.
"We can actually have concert events in there without having to walk around in dirt," he said. "We are concentrating on bringing in some other sporting events that requires a concrete floor."
The dirt surface could then be brought in for the rodeo.
Mesquite's rodeo dates to the late 1940s but came into its own in the 1950s when it was championed by legendary bull rider Neal Gay. In 1958, Gay opened the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, which became one of the most popular events in the industry.
"I'm asking the city of Mesquite to help pay for some of the new infrastructure," Moayedi said. "I'm setting this up to bring some life around the rodeo and use it as an anchor."
Mesquite officials are upbeat about the prospects for the developments.
"The arena and the rodeo continue to be a significant attraction to our community," said city manager Cliff Keheley. "The improvements to the facility will make it more versatile and expand the number and types of events.
"This will definitely have an impact on the existing businesses in the rodeo center area," he said. "It will also create opportunities for expansion of retail and entertainment businesses. We are very excited about what the new ownership will bring."
