The Mesa City Council approved selling $61M in general obligation bonds during its April 6 meeting.
The sale of the GO bonds will benefit several projects, ranging from the under-construction Signal Butte Park expansion to upcoming projects.
The Signal Butte Park expansion spans 45 acres and consists of multiple phases. The second phase, which is currently being constructed, consists of ramadas, a BMX track, 1.5 miles of walking trails and a pedestrian bridge to connect Phase Two to Phase One. The expansion has a $7.2M price tag.
The City intends to issue $13M from its parks and cultural bond fund for 14 separate projects. This includes the Signal Butte expansion, as well as the Sirrine House remodel, dog parks at Countryside Park and at Brady Park, pickleball courts and the i.d.e.a. Museum renovation.
The Sirrine House is Mesa’s sole Victorian-era historic house. Mesa intends to turn it into an agricultural-entertainment space with an educational aspect and public event areas.
The i.d.e.a. Museum renovation is expected to cost between $8M and $9M. Groundbreaking is expected to occur in early 2027.
Funding will also be used for six public safety projects that include three fire stations, the design of a public safety communications facility, public safety fiber and a renovation of the police headquarters.
The police headquarters renovation is expected to cost $62.7M. It initially started last June and is expected to be completed by early 2027. It adds a 120-seat community room, increases the lobby side and renovates the holding facility and in-custody court.
The City is expecting to spend $69.8M for the six projects throughout 2026. Projects in 2026 will be funded via $19M from the public safety bond and $50.8M in unspent debt proceeds.
There are seven separate transportation projects eligible for funding, such as the rebuilding of Val Vista Drive from Pueblo to US 60, as well as improvements to Broadway Road and to Elliot Road between Ellsworth and Sossaman roads.
The Broadway project got underway earlier this year. Construction of the $65M project will last for two years. The project will result in wider sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, traffic signal improvements, three pedestrian crossings and seven new bus shelters.
The approval of the sale will lead to the average homeowner paying an extra $6 on their annual property tax bill. The sale was approved as part of the meeting’s consent agenda; therefore, no discussion was held. (Source)