New LDS Temple in Gilbert

It looks like the LDS church is looking to build another temple in Gilbert. And for once, I have to agree with Blake Herzog, what will Mesa have left? I read that this is part of the plan that will bring 4 temples to Arizona, which is impressive because some whole nations that only have one.

Now, I remember as a kid going down to the temple area to see all of the Christmas lights and all the festivities. I also remember all of the shops being decorated and Mesa making all of downtown a winter wonderland. That has since stopped, but you could always count on the temple to be decorated. They also do the Easter Paegent which brings a lot of people to downtown as well.

Bringing people downtown meant more people in the area, spending money in stores, and hanging out downtown. There are a lot of family owned businesses in the area that are frequented a lot by temple goers including places like Pomeroy's which caters to clothing for mormon missionaries.

When there is a new place to go with easier freeway access and newer surroundings, where do you think people are going to go? What will happen to the Mesa temple? Will this impact the move to have light rail come to the temple area? Will this impact the revitalization plans in the area? Will people still invest in the area or are they going to let this one go and move down to the nicer one down the way?

Obviously, the LDS church can do what they want, but will it do to Mesa.