By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

A land purchase, discussion of constructing an expensive crime lab and much more will be on the agendas this week for Chandler City Council meetings.

Staff proposes council agree to buy less than an acre of undeveloped land at near the northeast corner of Alma School and Ray roads for $500,000.

That’s an item on the agenda for a study session, set for Monday evening at 6 p.m., combined with a regular council meeting.

The regular meeting and study session will follow a 4 p.m. work session devoted to discussing a potential $60 million crime lab construction and partnership with the Town of Gilbert.

There will also be a regular council meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. All these meetings are set to be held at City Hall, 88 E. Chicago St., Downtown Chandler.

At Alma School and Ray roads, the city bought land on the northeast corner about 15 years ago for a road widening project at the intersection, according to a staff report.

“Following the project, about 1.09 acres remained as surplus property,” the staff report states. “The land is presently vacant and undeveloped. Immediately east of the city’s property are two vacant parcels, 946 W. Ray Road and 972 W. Ray Road, both owned by HRM CSOK, LLC (dba “Hawkins Companies”). Combined, the two parcels comprise approximately 0.88 acres — with mixed zoning.”

Also on Monday’s study session agenda is a contract with Hunter Contracting Co. for the $1.78 million construction of pickleball and tennis courts at Tumbleweed Park.

There’s also a $1.3 million contract with Caliente Construction, Inc. to build outside plant fiber telecommunications remote buildings next to the Desert Breeze police substation.

A $789,000 contract with the Regional Public Transportation Authority is for bus service for the fiscal year ahead.

A $305,000 contract with Combs Construction Company, Inc. is for Chandler Municipal Airport runway pavement maintenance.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.  Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.