Phoenix council approves $4.9 million 2025 heat‑response plan, leases 20 West Jackson for 24/7 respite center

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council on March 25 approved a $4.9 million 2025 heat response plan that consolidates overnight heat‑relief services into a leased 24/7 respite center at 20 West Jackson, extends evening hours at three library cooling locations and authorizes related contracts and an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County. The vote on the plan and related contracts was 8–0.

City officials said the plan builds on 2024 efforts that coincided with the first decline in heat‑related deaths in more than a decade and a 20% reduction in heat‑related 911 calls. Mayor Kate Gallego called extreme heat “an evolving public health emergency that requires every level of government to step up to save lives” and said the plan is designed to expand and refine heat relief ahead of seasonal temperature spikes.

The plan consolidates two overnight locations used in 2024 — the Burton Barr Central Library 24/7 respite and the Senior Opportunities West overnight site — into a single leased facility at 20 West Jackson. Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and heat‑office staff said the 20,000‑square‑foot warehouse can accommodate the combined population served at the two sites last year; staff estimated operational capacity “upwards of 100 individuals at any given time.” Rent and utilities for the lease were reported as roughly $40,000 per month; city staff said the proposed summer budget for the program is approximately $4,900,000, funded by City ARPA dollars, opioid settlement funds and funding from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

The City will contract with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) to operate the 24/7 respite center. The…