8th Street/Rio Salado Parkway FAQ

As a result of community input, the City of Mesa City Council approved renaming 8th Street to Rio Salado Parkway from Mesa city limits at the Loop 101 to Country Club Drive. This change will become effective in March 2013.  This webpage answers some frequently asked questions about the proposed street name change.

Why did the City change the name of 8th Street to Rio Salado from Hwy 101 to Country Club?
The idea to rename 8th Street was been raised to help promote the area as a regional entertainment and retail area. Rio Salado Parkway is associated with recreation, shopping and entertainment, such as Tempe Town Lake, Mill Avenue, Sun Devil Stadium, and Tempe Marketplace. Renaming this street will extend this concept into Mesa and help promote places like Mesa Riverview and the future Cubs stadium complex. Additionally, having the same street name from Tempe into Mesa will help drivers in the area.

If the street name is changed, will Emergency Services such as Police and Fire be able to find me?
Yes. The City of Mesa will update all Emergency Service Providers including the Police Department and Fire Department and alert them of the street name change in advance of the March 2013 effective date. Their response systems will be able to recognize both the old and new street names so that they can respond quickly.

Would I need to change my address?
The City of Mesa will notify the United States Post Office of the new street name. The postal delivery system will cross-reference your old address to your new address. This will ensure that you will receive mail whether it is addressed to your old or new street name.

There will still be a number of important/official documents that residents will be responsible for updating. They may include, but are not limited to:
1.    Driver’s license
2.    Medical records
3.    Insurance records
4.    Utility and other billing records
5.    Bank/Financial records
 
Will I still receive mail if it is addressed to the old street name after the name change becomes effective?
Yes.  The City of Mesa has confirmed that the United States Postal Service will continue to deliver mail addressed to the previous street name. 
 
Do I need to order new checks and letterhead once the name change becomes effective?
The City of Mesa suggests replacing those types of items as one normally would.  Once a person runs out of checks or letterhead, that would be an ideal time to change the address on those items.  In the meantime, mail will still come if it is addressed to the previous street name.

How would this change impact me?
The City of Mesa will notify the United States Postal Services, utility providers, and emergency service providers and update City of Mesa records. Residents and business owners will be responsible for updating their personal records with their banks, doctors’ offices, etc. as the resident or business owner deems fit.

When will the street name change?
Feedback was collected from August 30, 2012 through September 28, 2012 and presented to several City of Mesa Boards and Committees in early Fall 2012. The final recommendation went before the City Council on December 10, 2012. The recommendation to change the street name was approved by the City Council on that date, and it will become effective 90 days after approval, in March 2013.

The City of Mesa is planning on having dual street name signs up once the change is made effective for 12 months, showing both 8th Street and Rio Salado Parkway, to help transition to the new street name.

Who can I contact if I have a question or comment?
8th Street – Rio Salado Parkway Hotline: (480) 644-6450
Email: 8thStreetInfo@mesaaz.gov
Web: mesaaz.gov/8thst
Mail: City of Mesa Transportation Department: 8th Street Name Change
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211

 

 

Transportation Department
300 E. 6th St.
Mesa, AZ 85201

Mailing Address:
City of Mesa
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed Fridays & Holidays

Hotline:

(480) 644-6450