City of Mesa, Arizona - Official Web Site

Public Information & Communications
For Release: June 13, 2011
Contact: Steven Wright
Public Information & Communications Director
480.644.2069
steven.wright@mesaaz.gov

The City of Mesa kicked off construction on Fire Station 219 in southeast Mesa with a groundbreaking ceremony today near the intersection of Signal Butte Road and Elliot Road. The new fire station, which is scheduled to open in the spring of 2012, will provide critical emergency services to hundreds of homes and thousands of residents, along with existing and planned businesses in the area. It will also be the first City of Mesa building to be LEED (U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design registration) certified.

“Fire Station 219 is the result of a partnership between Mesa voters and the federal government to make it a reality,” Mayor Scott Smith said. “This will be the third of four new fire stations in Mesa, which, because of efficiencies gained and stimulus monies granted, is two more than we anticipated.”

The new station is part of a public safety bond approved by Mesa voters in 2008. Funding is also being provided by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) through its American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program to provide grants for construction of fire stations.

“Construction of Fire Station 219 shows the commitment of the City and its voters to invest in southeast Mesa in support of public safety, quality growth and economic development opportunities,” Vice Mayor Scott Somers said.

The new fire station will have approximately 12,000 square feet, three apparatus bays that will exit onto Signal Butte Road, six dormitory rooms for firefighters, two dormitory rooms for captains and a community/training room for the public.

“Fire Station 219 will help meet the demand in the emergency call volume and growth in southeast Mesa and improve emergency response times,” Fire Chief Harry Beck said.

Efforts will be made to achieve gold certification for LEED. The construction of the fire station will incorporate the sustainable practices listed in the Guiding Principles for Sustainable New Construction and Major Renovations. Examples include solar panels, a solar hot water system and insulated concrete exterior walls.

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