Mesa staff recommend land swap with Sunshine Acres to site regional sewer lift station

City staff recommended the council forward a property exchange with Sunshine Acres to site a regional sewer lift station at the corner of Longbow Parkway and Higley Road, just south of Loop 202.

The presentation said the Sunshine Acres parcel appraised at approximately $462,000 for a 21,000-square-foot lot, while the city's remnant parcels north of the 202 are depressed about 15 feet from Higley Road and have limited access. "We had a third party appraiser appraise these properties," staff told the council, and the swap would be structured as a land exchange with no money changing hands.

The swap, staff said, avoids condemnation and saves both construction cost and time. "With this land exchange, it does save the money, for the city's insignificant time and expenses," staff said, estimating roughly $3 million and 12 to 18 months could be avoided by taking the Sunshine Acres site rather than pursuing alternatives that would require additional design and deeper sewer crossings under the 202.

Staff framed the work as part of a regional wastewater-collection plan serving areas north of Longbow up to Thomas and between Recker and Higley. "This lift station is just really part of a regional wastewater collections plan," a staff member said, explaining that ADOT's sleeve under the 202 was constructed lower than ideal for a full gravity solution, which left a swath of land without an outfall and made a lift station necessary.

Presenters said a phased approach is possible: a near-term gravity phase from 50th Street toward Recker might proceed using the existing sleeve, and the lift station at Longbow/Higley would enable the remainder of the area to connect. Staff added that Sunshine Acres has agreed to temporary drainage easements to allow continued operation of the existing private lift station during transition and that existing nearby force-main infrastructure also contributes to cost savings.

Councilmembers asked about valuation and whether an even swap was equitable. Staff replied that the swap's value is in accelerated timing, reduced infrastructure expense and avoided condemnation proceedings, and that some costs are recouped through temporary easements and existing infrastructure. Councilmembers expressed appreciation and said the project will facilitate development and reduce septic reliance in the area.

No formal action was taken at the study session; staff recommended moving the exchange forward to the Nov. 3 council meeting for further consideration.