Gila River Sand and Gravel Open New Building

June 2, 2023

Velia Moncada

Gila River Indian News

Gila River Sand and Gravel held a soft opening and tour of its new administration building on May 23 and employees began moving in on June 1. The 8,500-square-foot facility sits on 1.5 acres at 2369 N. Tanner Road at Arizona 587 in Sacaton and includes expanded office space for Gila River Sand and Gravel and its new construction division.

Lt. Gov. Monica Antone and Council members from District 4 were on hand for the soft opening as Construction Manager Robert Mendez highlighted key points of the facility using a PowerPoint presentation followed by a guided tour. 

Mendez explained that prior to the new building, employees of both the sand and gravel and the new construction division were crammed into one building, making the space difficult to work in.

“We were just busting at the seams over there,” Mendez said. “There were two to three people in an office.” However, thanks to strong sales, Gila River Sand and Gravel was able to invest in the new space to give employees more room. 

The new administration building includes 23 offices for those who work in human resources, accounting and general administration, a small and a large training room, and customer service space. 

A notable feature of the new building is the floor. Minerals produced within the sand and gravel plant were used to pave the ground, creating a base. The ground floor of the steel-and-masonry building had to be raised by six feet so that the foundation would be above the river’s flood plain.

Gila River Sand and Gravel General Manager Michael H. Morago said that the building is an excellent resource for the growing corporation, especially because now that the Blackwater plant was approved, it needs to hire even more employees interested in the trade. 

“We are just happy to serve the Community and hope the Community continues to support our business,” said Morago.