KJZZ Highlights Mesa Art Space Lofts [Quotes from Michael Trailor, AZ DOH]

'Critical' Housing Coming To Downtown Mesa

By   Christina Estes    KJZZ

Published: Saturday, June 3, 2017 - 5:00am

Updated: Saturday, June 3, 2017 - 5:05am

Mesa recently held a groundbreaking to celebrate a new project downtown. It’s designed to provide housing to struggling artists and space for the growing arts community.

One-Bedroom Housing in this buidling

The Mesa Artspace Lofts will offer up to 50 apartments for individuals and families that make significantly less than the median household income.
Michael Trailor, who oversees Arizona’s Department of Housing, says the state is short about 220,000 affordable units.
“These affordable housing projects are absolutely critical to the fabric of our community and serving the needs of our lower-income people who are struggling to survive,” he said.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Trailor said the project will have on-site services like computer and job training, a food bank, and financial literacy classes.
He's seen in the image to the left here being interviewed by a camera crew from city-owned Mesa Channel 11 on May 24.
Mesa donated the land at 155 S Hilbert Street at the NEC of Second Avenue , which is two blocks south of the Valley Metro light rail line @ Mesa Drive.

The Minneapolis-based nonprofit Artspace also received tax credits and funding from various foundations and trusts. For more information see a featured post on this blog site
https://mesazona.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-digs-on-empty-lots-regenerating-new.html 
When the Artspace Lofts open in 2018, it will feature studios, one- two- and three-bedroom units, along with space for exhibitions and community events.
Architectural Resource Team is doing the design work for this $15.8 million project on a urban in-fill lot that's been vacant, two blocks away from the Mesa Center.

The firm also did previous work here in Mesa at LaMesita Phases 1, 2 and 3.