PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Prior shipping containers used at the Arizona-Mexico border now have a new purpose in the Valley.
As part of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan to address extreme heat conditions, the state will transform 18 shipping containers into solar-powered cooling units. Candy Box
Two of those shipping containers opened last week and are located within the Capitol Mall near 19th Avenue and Adams Street and 16th Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The Arizona Faith Network will operate both and will be managed by the Arizona Department of Administration.
They will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Each of these cooling centers offers a cool place to rest and recover from extreme heat conditions, with bottled water and electrolyte packets available.
So far, the containers help serve over 20 people per day.
“It’s a good place to rest. You know, you can come sit down, get water, get snacks, stay out of the sun, charge your phones,” said local Leonel Tena.
The hope is that these cooling centers can keep more Arizonans safe after a record number of heat-related deaths in 2023.
“Anything that will get our community members out of the heat will make a huge difference in the loss of lives,” said Arene Rushdan with the Arizona Faith Network.
The other 16 cooling containers will be deployed across Arizona, including at five state prisons.
For more information on cooling centers in Maricopa County, click/tap here.
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