In a city that has seen its population jump by nearly 100,000 residents in the last two decades, the need for expanded fire and police department services is an ongoing topic of discussion.
Now city leaders in Mesa, Arizona are taking steps that could lead to the construction of a new district police station and two new fire stations.
One of those fire stations, to be called Station Number 221, would go up in Mesa’s rapidly growing Eastmark neighborhood, a part of the city that has seen more than one thousand new homes built in the last two years alone.
The other facility, Station Number 222, would be slated for construction on the northeast side of Mesa. The proposed new district police station would go up on Mesa’s east side.
The estimated cost to build the three facilities is at least $85 million.
Now the third largest city in Arizona, Mesa has twenty fire stations of various sizes spotted throughout the city, and one main police station, along with four district stations.
Mayor John Giles, noting the large number of people moving into the Eastmark neighborhood, is urging members of the Mesa City Council to consider putting on this November’s ballot a public safety bond that would fund the construction of all three of the proposed facilities.
Council members, who have indicated that they agree with the need for the three facilities, are expected to make a decision on calling for that public safety bond election within the month.
By Garry Boulard
