By Gilbert Davidson, Marana Town Manager
Marana has positioned itself as a business-friendly community, and that has made us the fastest growing municipality in southern Arizona and one of the fastest growing communities in the entire state. By making it easy to build businesses in the Town, we are providing more amenities for our residents and giving more people a reason to move to Marana.
One way Marana has paved the way for businesses is by providing the infrastructure to support continued growth. Marana leads the region in new single-family residential permits for a reason. Our goal of top-notch customer service makes developers want to do business with the town, and our maintained roads, parks, and trails only enhance their quality of life. Through June we have issued over 400 permits, placing us well ahead of the pace we need to hit our projections for the calendar year.
We like to say a lot of dirt is being turned in Marana, and this has never been truer than right now, especially in north Marana. The expansion of the Marana wastewater treatment facility and accompanying recharge facility will put in place sustainable options for manageable growth. Marana’s portion of the Tangerine Road Corridor Project will create a robust corridor that connects the Marana and Oro Valley communities. The addition of the new Tangerine Sky Park will soon provide another recreational option for residents to go outside and stay active.
The latest project to begin in north Marana is the Marana Road realignment. The project will construct a traffic circle on Sandario Road that will connect to Marana Road. This will redirect traffic heading west on Marana Road to use the traffic circle, as well as provide easier access to businesses on Sandario Road. The project is also the beginning of our Marana Main Street, which will give Marana a consolidated downtown area that will become a hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Development in north Marana is important because it brings modern amenities to the area and creates a gathering space for all residents. The Town is getting constant inquiries about north Marana, and the improvements made to Tangerine Road, Twin Peaks Road, and Marana Main Street are driving that interest.
The Ina Road Interchange Project is in full swing. When completed, local traffic will travel over I-10, avoiding the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and ensuring a safer transportation corridor for everyone. Those travelling west on Ina Road towards Silverbell Road will soon see a brand new bridge as the Town works with Arizona Department of Transportation to expand Ina Road west of I-10 to four lanes.
Businesses continue to flock to all parts of the community. You can now see Top Golf’s driving range poles from the freeway, their Marana-located facility slated to open in November when they will begin offering entertainment options to people from all over the region. Also opening soon is International Towers Inc., a communications provider that will bring 150 employees to Marana Technology Center located on Tangerine Road east of I-10.
Marana Center off Twin Peaks Road is starting to generate even more development. Hampton Inn is breaking ground as well as Northwest Medical Center’s new stand-alone emergency room. The Town continues to receive inquiries about the area, and we are excited to see more businesses and jobs come to the area as well as other parts of Marana.
Our existing retail areas remain popular. Arizona Pavilions has recently seen a number of stores open, including the Screamery, Home Goods, and soon Barro’s Pizza. Arizona Pavilions remains a popular destination for new residents, with HSL breaking ground on a new apartment complex, and a new 108-room assisted living facility also being built in the south Marana area.
Marana Marketplace on Orange Grove Road and Thornydale Road will welcome a Smoothie King and a Popeye’s Chicken, while just up the road Mod Pizza is working to fill the space next to Fry’s Food and Drug on Ina Road and Thornydale Road.
Other restaurants are moving into North Marana as well, including the Twin Peaks Pizzeria at Twin Peaks Road and Coachline Boulevard, a Shell Gas Station with an accompanying Dairy Queen at Tangerine Crossing, and Mama’s Hawaiian BBQ in the food court at the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center.
As you can see, dirt is moving in Marana, and that is not only good for business, but good for our residents. For those interested in learning more about what’s happening in Marana, visit MaranaAZ.gov.
This Manager's Message originally ran in the Marana News
