Design reviewed for chemical plant expansion in Mesa

By Richard Dyer
Mail | X: @RHDyer

The Mesa Design Review Board recently discussed the look and landscaping for an expansion to an existing MGC Pure Chemicals America chemical plant east of Signal Butte on the north side of Pecos Road.

The 16-acre development was discussed at the board’s Nov. 12 meeting. There was a presentation and discussion only, with no formal action taken by the board, according to the meeting’s minutes.

Brandon Linville of Gray AE, PSC is the applicant. MGC Pure Chemicals America Inc. is the owner.

The project is an expansion to an existing chemical manufacturing facility at 6560 S. Mountain Road owned and operated by MGC Pure Chemicals America Inc. with 16 structures totaling approximately 58,700 square feet, Randall Vaughn of Gray AE, PSC said in a written project narrative.

“The structures house chemical processing equipment and various chemical storage tanks associated with the manufacturing process, which is to produce super-pure hydrogen peroxide and super-pure ammonium hydroxide,” it states. “The structures vary in height and are a mixture of pre-engineered metal buildings and conventional steel structures. The primary facade materials will include insulated metal wall panels, perforated metal screening panels, split-face masonry and metal wire mesh, specifically for the open-air structures sheltering the storage tanks.”

The project will also include an exterior steel pipe bridge carrying process piping between the new buildings, additional parking and truck/fire apparatus access roads, and additional outdoor ISO container storage on the southern side of the property, it states.

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 H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley

rdyer@iniusa.org

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.