Mesa staff presented plans for the new City Council chambers in the Mesa City Plaza to the Mesa Design Review Board for a first review on Aug. 9.
The current annex building on the site at Center and Main streets will be demolished as part of the project. Demolition is expected to commence in January.
The design and materials for the new two-story terracotta, glass and steel building are intended to convey consistency with both recently constructed and existing buildings in downtown Mesa. The prominent use of glass and multiple angles of visibility are intended to provide a sense of transparency. The building’s external lighting is intended to convey a sense of “a jewel in the desert,” according to the project narrative from Adaptive Architects. The planned LED lighting will change colors for various occasions.
The 160-seat main chambers space is envisioned as a “building within a building,” according to the presentation.
A longer approach to the new chambers was included in the design both for aesthetics and as an improvement over the current chambers’ security.
One initial concern expressed by Board members was a desire for a closer visual connection between the new building and the Mesa City Plaza tower it will connect to. The tower was built in 1975 and features significant copper strip accenting.
The Board will hear a second review of the plans at a later date. (Source)
