An orientation or “kickoff” meeting for the City of Mesa’s first Building Strong Neighborhoods Initiative of 2009 will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, at Adams Elementary School, 738 S. Longmore, at 6:30 pm. Mayor Scott Smith and District 3 Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh will be in attendance.
During the orientation meeting, residents will hear results of a door-to-door survey the City of Mesa Neighborhood Outreach Office has been conducting in the neighborhood that is within the boundaries of Broadway to Pueblo, Longmore to Sycamore. Residents will use the survey results to prioritize issues that will begin to be addressed by a variety of City services in that neighborhood over a four-week period. Resident action teams will be formed to address issues of public safety, traffic and beautification. Neighbors will also get information about Clean Sweep dumpsters that will be available.
This is a mature, diverse neighborhood in West Mesa with a lot of long-time residents who know each other,” Mesa Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Cynthia Garza said. “It is a great opportunity for residents and they are very excited about being part of the next Building Strong Neighborhoods Initiative.”
The meeting will also include an open house for residents to learn more about existing City services and programs. Mesa Police, Mesa Fire, Transportation and Code Compliance will be among the City departments having staff members available to answer questions. Several nonprofit organizations will be represented, including Housing Our Communities, Community Bridges and West Mesa Community Development Corporation. In addition, representatives from Fiesta Mall will have information on the multiphase redevelopment of the shopping center.
The main purpose of the Building Strong Neighborhoods Initiative is to preserve and strengthen neighborhoods by providing residents and businesses with education and access to existing resources to address neighborhood issues. Neighborhood Services is conducting one initiative in each Council District during the 08/09 fiscal year. The program has already been successfully completed in District 2 and District 4. For more information, contact District 3 Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Cynthia Garza at (480) 644-5889.