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Ceremony Saturday
Mesa to break ground Saturday for new Gateway Library in southeast Mesa
The state-of-the-art facility will be Mesa’s first new full-service library in more than 25 years
City of Mesa
Posted
Gateway Library will be approximately 28,000 square feet and will include a multipurpose room; THINKspot collaborative workspace and makerspace and specific areas for library books and resources for adults, teens and children.
City of Mesa
The city of Mesa is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony of the new Gateway Library at 8:30 a.m Saturday at 5036 S. Eastmark Parkway.
The state-of-the-art facility will be Mesa’s first new full-service library in more than 25 years, according to a release.
“The Gateway Library is a beautifully designed facility that will bring innovative services and programs to southeast Mesa,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said in the release. “Libraries not only lend books but also inspire and connect our community. I’m thrilled to see this project underway and am grateful to Mesa’s voters for approving the bond issue that made it possible.”
“Libraries are more than just buildings with books; they hold far more profound significance for our city,” Councilmember Scott Somers said in the release. “Gateway Library represents an invaluable resource for education, a sanctuary for imagination and a cornerstone of community.”
Gateway Library will be approximately 28,000 square feet and will include a multipurpose room; THINKspot collaborative workspace and makerspace and specific areas for library books and resources for adults, teens and children.
Designed by Richärd Kennedy Architects, a firm that has designed several award-winning libraries, the Gateway Library will feature an open concept with rows of books and other materials under a high ceiling and bright lights. Other features will be a digital art display wall, outdoor reading patio and outdoor plaza that can be used for community events, the release states.
“We are excited about having an architecturally stunning, innovative library providing a much-needed service to this part of Mesa,” Polly Bonnett, Mesa Public Library director, said in the release. “Our library patrons are going to be very happy with Gateway Library and what it will offer and we can’t wait for it to open.”
The library is scheduled to open in the summer 2025. Funding for Gateway Library is from both the 2018 General Obligation Bond approved by voters and construction sales tax. The library is being built by Willmeng Construction.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, there will be activities adjacent to the site at BASIS Mesa at Eastmark School, 5010 S. Eastmark Parkway, until 10:30 a.m., including library project information, a virtual reality experience, take and make craft kits, raffles to win building sets, STEM activities for kids and information to sign up for a library card and the Summer Reading Program. Kids Need to Read will be there to hand out free books.
