renovation of historic mesa temple set to begin this summer

One of the most culturally important structures in Mesa, Arizona is expected to see the beginning of renovations and upgrading this summer.

The Mesa Arizona Temple in central Mesa in the 100 block of Main Street was completed in the fall of 1927 and opened as one of the first Church of Latter Day Saints temples in Arizona.

Officials with the Mesa Temple have long wanted to upgrade both the 120,000 square foot main building, as well as refigure the 20-acre site it sits on.

An important part of that site work includes plans to demolish nine smaller structures, as well as a visitors’ center that sits to the front of the temple on Main Street.

But Mesa preservationists say some of those structures are historically significant. So far, the City of Mesa has rejected applications by a company called Property Reserve, the LDS’s property group, to demolish three of those buildings.

LDS officials say the multi-million temple renovation project has been a long time coming. The last time that structure saw any work was in 1975 when some 17,000 square feet was added to the building.

By Garry Boulard