Preliminary design for an Acadia Healthcare Behavioral Health Hospital recently was discussed by the Mesa Design Review Board.
The hospital is to be constructed north of Elliot Road on the west side of Ellsworth Road, with access to the hospital from Prairie Avenue and Peterson Avenue, Staff Planner Cassidy Welch said during a June 14 board meeting.
“The site plan shows one large-scale hospital,” she said. “The applicant is requesting alternative compliance to one of the design standards ... of the zoning ordinance — that’s for uninterrupted wall lengths exceeding 50 feet without articulation. That’s primarily for the front facade — the long metal panel facade.”
A total of 229 parking spaces are to be provided, Welch said.
Kaelee Wilson of Berry Riddell LLC is the applicant. Sunbelt Land Holdings LP is the owner.
The new 100-bed behavioral health hospital is to be split into five units that will treat both adolescents and adults, according to a written project narrative from Berry Riddell LLC.
“The proposed project is a one-story, 76,925-square-foot behavioral health hospital with 100 patient beds. There is an option for a 4,300-square-foot expansion, which would add approximately 20 beds,” it states. “It is anticipated that the hospital will add at minimum 158 new jobs. This use will add a much-needed sector of health care in an area that is currently underserved.”
The all-volunteer Mesa Design Review Board is unique in that its composition is set by the zoning ordinance to include two architects; two from other design professions such as landscape architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design or other design-related background; one contractor or developer; and two residents, according to the city’s website.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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