The look and landscaping for a 195,000-square-foot data center building on 101 acres north of Elliot Road and east of Crismon Road were recently discussed by Mesa Design Review Board.
NTT Data Centers PH6 is to be built at 10256 E. Elliot Road. Buildings PH1-PH5 are under construction or in operation.
A portion on the west side of the site plan shows where a city of Mesa park is planned, Staff Planner Joshua Grandlienard said during a Jan. 13 meeting.
“You’ll notice this area is owned by the city of Mesa, directly in front of PH3 and to the west side of PH6. That is a city park that was part of the original development agreement,” he said. “You’ll notice that the equipment yard is located on the east side — this is away from the residential and closer to other industrial uses in the area to help reduce that impact of noise.”
The landscape palette is consistent with what was previously approved elsewhere at the site, Grandlienard said.
“So that’s why you’ll see similar varieties just to maintain consistency and not look out of place and hopefully it will resemble like these were all done at one time,” he said.
The plant legend shows blue palo verde, desert willow desert diva, thornless hybrid mesquite, foothills palo verde and ironwood trees. Also, brittle bush, chuparosa, desert marigold, creosote bush and jojoba bushes.
The project combines the originally proposed PH6 and PH7 into a single building that will be referenced as PH6. This modification reduces the total number of buildings on the campus from seven to six, according to a written project narrative.
“The proposed PH6 design will maintain the same building height as the existing buildings on campus. The building will remain a two-story data center, with two administrative blocks that will be south and east facing. This new orientation allows for enhanced facades along East Elliott Road and the Basin 114 Park,” it states. “The facade enhancements will include additional glazing, window shrouds, overhangs and architectural lighting. Although the proposed PH6 building will differ in certain design aspects, the exterior appearance will align with the architectural character of the previously approved campus buildings to ensure visual continuity.”
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. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines, https://www.yourvalley.net/civility-checklist/.
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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