THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
Mesa schools administrator gets big honor
THE SUNDAY
Tribune
PAGE 2 Chandler/Tempe Edition
INSIDE
This Week
COMMUNITY ......... 11 Mesa people
nonprofit 7,200 miles
helps away.
BUSINESS . ................ 13 New used-car dealership is the EV’s largest vending machine.
GET OUT .................. 18 Restaurateur brings a touch of Flagstaff to east Mesa.
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | EastValleyTribune.com
Jan D’Atri offers easy-to-use tips for making the perfect quesadilla.
COMMUNITY.......... 11 BUSINESS.....................13 OPINION..................... 15 SPORTS........................ 16 CLASSIFIEDS............. 23
PAGE 17
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Architect pans Mormon redevelopment project’s ‘look’ BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
I
s the major downtown Mesa redevelopment project planned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints too blah? A proposed zoning change ignited that debate over the architectural design of the project near the city’s ultimate landmark – the Mesa Arizona Temple. While the fate of seven 1940’s era homes west of the Temple has dominated the discussion about the multi-million project thus far, the conversation recently shifted somewhat to the architectural style depicted by renderings an architect presented at a city Planning and Zoning board meeting. Board member Tim Boyle, a Mesa native and an architect himself, was underwhelmed by the renderings, as was board member Shelly Allen. Eventually, the board voted to recommend approval of the zoning change – necessary for the planned transit development along the Metro light rail – but also decided to send the project to Mesa’s Design Review Board for an extra level of scrutiny.
(City Creek Reserve)
The planned look of the apartment-retail complex planned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an area east of the Mesa Arizona Temple doesn’t impress some appointed city board members. Architect Tim Boyle thought the design lacked energy, but developers say they are trying to respect the project’s proximity to the temple.
“As far as the zoning, I think it’s great. I would like to inject some energy into the design,’’ Boyle said, adding that the design makes the new complex look like something built decades ago. “I think it has a way to go,’’ Boyle said. Tom Ellsworth, a Mesa city planner, said architectural design is always open to interpre-
tation and usually boils down to one person’s opinion. He said the Design Review Board’s findings give city planners an extra level of expertise when deciding whether to approve a project. He cautioned that the LDS redevelopment See
TEMPLE on page 6
East Valley ready to celebrate nation’s birthday BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Tribune Contributor
DINING ................... 20
EAST VALLEY
Batter up! Mesa Little Leaguers in playoff battle
M
esa’s Fourth of July Fireworks show Wednesday night will elicit even more oohs and ahhs than inpast years, says head pyrotechnician Kendon Victor. Victor, in his 28th year with Chandler-based Fireworks Productions of Arizona, is one of seven full-time employees of the company owned and operated by Kerry and Lori Welty, who have reappointed him chief of the Mesa
fireworks crew for the fifth consecutive year. Since becoming a full-time employee with the company in 2005, Victor has seen the number of members on the various pyrotechnic See
FIREWORKS on page 4 City of Mesa
As spectacular as last year’s Independence Day fireworks show was in downtown Mesa, pyrotechnics experts are psyched about this year’s production.