U-Haul International Inc., a Phoenix-based self-storage operator, is working to revitalize the former Palo Verde Mini Storage in Mesa, Ariz. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Riverview at 255 E. McKellips Road officially opened in April, but is still undergoing renovations, according to a U-Haul press release.                       

"We upgraded the grounds to make it more visually appealing and neighborhood-friendly. We built a brand new showroom and really cleaned up the property,” said Andy Smith, president of U-Haul of Eastern Arizona.                     

The property currently offers 600 drive-up storage units, truck and trailer rentals, and moving and packing supplies. U-Haul is seeking zoning approval to expand the 3.76-acre site and add 800 climate-controlled indoor storage units, RV parking and a larger rental fleet.

"This area of historic Mesa has a lot of heritage, and we want to serve the customers who have kept us in business this long," Smith said. "U-Haul customers in this area love their rural lifestyle, and I plan to accommodate them when it comes to expanding. We are a hometown company with good relations, and we want to provide our customers with clean, dry and secure storage."

The acquisition of the Mesa property was driven by U-Haul’s corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, according to the release. U-Haul’s adaptive reuse of existing structures eliminates the amount of energy and resources required for new-construction materials and helps local cities diminish their unwanted inventory of unused buildings, U-Haul officials said.

Established in 1945, U-Haul has more than 44 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,200 owned facilities throughout North America.             

Sources: