A proposed 19.1-acre expansion at Monterey Park north of Guadalupe Road on the east side of Power Road in Mesa includes a new express library, the Mesa Design Review Board was told recently.
In addition to the library space, four new little league/softball fields with a restroom facility in the quad, four pickleball courts, a tot lot at the library’s plaza, a restroom at the library’s plaza, ramadas and shade structures are planned, according to a presentation Staff Planner Josh Grandlienard made during the board’s June 14 meeting.
The city of Mesa is both the applicant and the owner. The total project cost is $16.5 million, with work to be completed by June 2023.
The $13.8 million in construction costs will come in two phases, according to city records:
$8.9 million for grading, utilities, landscape and irrigation, hardscapes and fencing;
$4.9 million for buildings, pickleball courts, paving, playground and site furnishings.
Funding for the project is available from the 2018 parks obligation bonds and parks operating budget, according to the city’s website.
The express library is to have a technology-centered design with 1,000 square feet of library space, 690 square feet for library material and technology, a 170-square-foot lounge/reading area and 140 square feet for staff space, according to the presentation made to the design review board.
“What we’re looking to discuss today is specifically the express library. This is certainly a unique concept for the city itself. It’s actually an external library that I believe is meant to be for local service in the area. As part of this the people can check out books from the main library, have them delivered closer to home and be able to pick it up at their leisure,” Grandlienard said. “So as part of this, this building would require design review approval by [the Mesa Design Review Board].”
The Mesa Design Review Board will discuss and vote on the design at its next meeting, which is slated for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, in the lower council chambers, 57 E. First St.
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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