The City of Mesa’s Extraordinary Properties campaign has recognized four property owners who exceed design standards in the areas where they are located. The recipients were recognized at the City Council meeting.

The property owners recognized for Extraordinary Properties are:

Commercial or Nonprofit – Casa de Amor Baptist Center on South Macdonald in the Stewart South Mesa neighborhood. The former church is now a food, clothing and training ministry. Many of the volunteers are between the ages of 75 and 90 and go to great lengths to care for the property. They want everything looking at its best for the clients.

Residential Property – Frances Esparza for her home on South Grand in the Stewart Addition neighborhood. Mrs. Esparza has lived in the home for more than 50 years where she raised 11 children. The family made numerous home improvements over the years and has kept the tradition of her late husband, Frank, a groundskeeper at Arizona State University, to “always make sure the yard looked good.”

Residential Property – Gerald and Patricia Spellman for their home on South Grand in the Steward Addition neighborhood. Mr. Spellman purchased the home more than 30 years ago when it was basically a shack. He added river rock in the front yard to conserve water and 10-thousand bricks from an old armory in Mesa to renovate his back yard.

Residential Property – Alberto and Norma Gardea for their home on South Grand in the Stewart South Mesa neighborhood. The Gardeas demolished an abandoned house and built a custom home on the site. They added a pool, waterfall and large built-in barbecue in the back yard.

The recipients of the Extraordinary Properties awards each receive a certificate and an Extraordinary Properties sign that will be displayed in their yards for three months. The winners will be nominated for the “Mayor’s Award for Building a Better Mesa.” Every Extraordinary Property nominee will receive a thank you letter and certificate.

Each quarter, a panel of community leaders will select the winners.

For more information, please contact Kevin Christopher at 480-644-4699