Design reviewed for 235K-square-foot industrial development in Mesa

Written by Richard H. Dyer for the Mesa Independent

A 235,600-square-foot industrial development is planned on 17.7 acres approximately 650 feet west of the northwest and southwest corners of East Ray Road and South Hawes Road in Mesa.

The Mesa Design Review Board on Aug. 12 discussed the look and landscaping for the Gateway Park development. Chair Dane Astle was absent.

Two industrial buildings of 117,800 square feet each are planned, Staff Planner Cassidy Welch said during the meeting.

“As a part of the site plan, 147 parking spaces are required and 180 spaces are provided,” she said. “Here’s the proposed landscape plan. I’ve only provided the northern side as the landscape mirrors on the south side. Those developments include an open-space area.”

Wendy Riddell of Berry Riddell LLC is the applicant. Mesa Airport Growth Properties LLC is the owner.

Gateway Park will be constructed of tilt-up concrete walls, the standard structural system and building envelope for industrial buildings. The planned facade has vertical and horizontal articulation through recessed planes, material changes, windows, trellises and subtle reveals, according to a written project narrative.

“Given the extensive large-scale light industrial development in the neighboring areas and the anticipated relocation of the Mesa Gateway Airport terminal operations, we expect Gateway Park to be developed in multiple phases. The first phase will include either the northwest or southwest industrial building and off-site improvements for the full extent of Ray Road,” it states. “The last phase involving the two eastern parcels zoned for limited commercial is anticipated to occur over a longer period. The timing of this phase will be influenced by the eventual relocation of the airport’s terminal and the development of the neighboring Gateway East area.”

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.