$70 Million In Park Bonds Proposed For Mesa Arizona

$70 Million In Park Bonds Proposed For Mesa Arizona

There is a new $70 million bond package to upgrade parks and recreation facilities in Mesa Arizona. The approval is scheduled for the Nov. 6 general election and will add about $25 a year to the property-tax bill for an average-priced Mesa AZ home over the life of the bonds.

According to the people that have submitted voter-information packets this is a bargain for the Mesa Arizona residents. Mayor Scott Smith, Vice Mayor Scott Somers and Councilman Dave Richins have all said that the Mesa city parks are tired or inadequate. They said, “These proposals are not luxuries, they are essential for Mesa to keep and attract the best and brightest and to create jobs over the long term."

Parks are always good for the community that is made for the communities recreation, children and yes, even a place for our furry friends. When the money goes to pay for a professional ball park then that creates reservations in my mind. The financials I have seen related to the professional ball parks are great for the team owners and for the residents not so much. Creative financial analysis is used to prove it’s worth and in the end the revenue is not realized for the city and its residents. Make it a multiuse park for the team owner and the residence of the city and it could prove beneficial for the residence of the city, but that’s just my opinion.

Other ballot arguments were also submitted. The bonds, known as Question 1 on the Mesa ballot are as follows:

• Build sports complexes at Mesa Junior High School and the former Powell Junior High School, $8.7 million.
• Enhance and renovate existing parks, $37.8 million. This category includes replacing the pool at Taylor Junior High School with a regional aquatics center.
• Develop four east-side parks under a federal requirement that Mesa replace Riverview Golf Course with parkland of equal value. The golf course closed this year to make way for a Chicago Cubs training complex. Cost: $7.25 million.
• Provide $10.75 million to buy Buckhorn Baths, expand Monterey Park and plan a downtown civic plaza.
• Provide $5.5 million for bike and pedestrian paths on both the east and west ends of the city.

Mesa voters will be asked in November 2012 to approve several changes in the city charter.

The change with the greatest potential impact would require a special election for mayor if the office became vacant with more than two years left in the term. The current charter, written when mayoral terms were two years, specifies that the vice mayor becomes mayor for the remainder of the term should a mayoral vacancy occur. With mayoral terms now four years, that creates the possibility that someone could serve as mayor for nearly four years without having been elected to the job.

Brought to you by: Mesa Real Estate | Luxury Valley Homes Team