HomeMy WebLinkAboutState of the Town 20151 State of the Town 2015
z Good afternoon. Thank you for being here today for Marana 's State of
3 the Town address. I am happy to see all of you, and I am honored to share our
4 community's vision for the future.
s The video we just watched embodies what makes Marana a great
6 community. We are people who believe in the endless possibilities of dreams.
7 Kids can set their goals high to become business owners, doctors, firefighters
s or whatever they choose. Like those children, many of you are living your
9 dreams right here in Marana. You are realizing your hopes and aspirations in a
lo community where we all can stay for life.
11 As a town government, we spend time thinking about better ways to
12 serve our residents and business owners. We are always looking to the future
13 and discovering ways to improve our customer service. Like a business,, we
14 know time is money. That is why we pledge to serve our customers in the
is most efficient and innovative ways. The economic slowdown was an
16 opportunity to plan for a prosperous future. We acted instead of reacted.
17 Our first Strategic Plan was adopted during the recession in 2009. We
s$ had our eyes firmly set on the horizon and a time when financial stability
19 would return. We wanted to be ready to take advantage of opportunities when
Zo they arose. Many times, opportunities only knock once. We were there to
21 answerr
22 We have since updated the Strategic Plan twice. The most recent version
23 was adopted by Council in January. We use the Strategic Plan in all the
24 decisions we make. It is a living,. breathing document that sets the course for
25 our community's success. It is a plan that looks a few years down the road
26 with optimism that makes great things possible.
27 Our Strategic Plan provides opportunities for success by working with
is community partners. It sets the stage for a future filled with rp omise for
29 anyone with a dream and the will to make it happen.
30 Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to say the f now. The
31 exciting developments that I plan to discuss with you today are the result of
32 our council and staffs foresight. The only way to build an excellent
33 community is through diligence, hard work and commitment.
34 Let me give you an example.
35 The Town identified the need for the Twin Peaks Interchange two
36 decades ago. In fact, I think the idea came up when there actually were two
37 .beaks on Twin Peaks. The area has excellent I -10 frontage and tremendous
38 potential for growth and economic development.
39 Working with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Arizona
4o Department of Transportation, we began managing construction for the Twin
41 Peaks Interchange in 2009. A little more than a year later, the interchange was
42 open.
43 That was just the beginning.
44 A few years later, plans for a quality commercial development were
45 created. A dream team of Vintage Partners and Simon Property Group began
46 putting together the concept for a premium outlet mall. The idea was to create
47 destination shopping like this region has never seen. Simon is developing the
48 premium outlet mall, which will have more than 80 stores. Several of those
49 retailers are coming to the Southern Arizona market for the first time. Simon's
so track record as a world leader in premium outlet development is unmatched.
51 We are proud that this company chose our town. The strategic location and
52 our willingness to partner convinced Simon that Marana was the perfect
53 choice.
54 The mall will be responsible for many jobs when it opens this fall.
55 Thanks to the Chasse Building Team, hundreds of individuals have already
56 been hard at work on the mall since last November. The Town enjoys
57 partnering with Chasse, Vintage Partners and Simon Property Group, all of
58 which are sponsors of this event. The work they are performing will be
59 beneficial to our Town and region for generations to come.
60 This community changing mall is just the beginning of the Marana
ss Center project by Vintage Partners. These 170 acres are perfectly suited for
62 more shopping, restaurants, hotels, car dealerships and, most importantly,
63 jobs. These companies want to put their footprint down in Marana and we are
64 rolling out the welcome mat.
65 All of this positive economic activity is happening because we worked
66 with re_ ig'onal partners to build the Twin Peaks Interchange. We anticipated
67 the need and the roadway is a reality. Ladies and gentlemen, the future is
'.
69 Successful communities have diverse business operations. The mall will
70 provide an important retail experience for our residents and visitors. In
71 addition to the mall, we are working to attract high -tech industry and high-
72 paying jobs. Today, I am excited to announce that Ventana Medical Systems is
73 building a distribution and light manufacturing center in North Marana that
74 will open this summer. International Towers, which manufactures towers for
7s broadcasters, cellular providers and governments, is constructing a facility on
76 Tangerine Road. The work the company does here will help secure our
77 international borders.
78 These companies are choosing Marana because we have an advantage
79 with our location, the proximity to similar industry and our business - friendly
so approach. We work with these companies because they bring many benefits
ss to our community, including jobs our residents need.
sz Our staff develops and Town Council adopts policies that encourage
83 economic development. We create unique partnerships and work with the
84 private sector to meet their needs. This collaboration results in unlimited
85 opportunities for commerce. Folks, it is just good business.
86 As the saying goes, business follows rooftops. Well, rooftops are going
87 up in every corner of our Town. We have led the region in new housing over
ss the past couple of years and that pace continues. We are fortunate to have a
sg strong core of home builders here: DR Horton, Del Webb, Grayhawk, KB, LGI,
90 Lennar, Meritage, Mattamy, Richmond and Toll Brothers. These companies see
91 an undeniable potential that exists in Marana and they want to do business in
92 our community. Thev know the future is here.
93 I have shared with you what our partners are doing in Marana. Now, I
94 would like to tell you what the Town is doing to facilitate additional
1
95 development. Part of that effort is providing wastewater services and
96 constructing a groundwater recharge facility in North Marana. This project
97 will allow the Town to recharge our highly treated wastewater into the
98 aquifer and give us necessary groundwater credits. It is one of the reasons we
99 wanted the wastewater system. It allows the Town to provide safe, reliable
Zoo and sustainable water resources for our customers, who invest so much in our
sol community.
Zoe We are also expanding a major sewer line that will spur development
103 along the Tangerine Farms corridor, ultimately connecting to the Saguaro
Zoo Bloom development. This line will accommodate more customers in the
sos growing northern portion of our community. This financial commitment by
106 the Town for necessary local infrastructure proves that we are serious about
Zoe bringing significant development to our northern sector. We are creating
Zo$ commercial and residential opportunities in the area of town where Marana
Zo9 began.
110 The aquifer project will be operational by the summer of 2016, and the
i11 sewer line expansion will follow soon after. Again, we are laying groundwork
112 for the future.
113 We are lucky to be in Southern Arizona, one of the most beautiful places
114 in the world. You only need to walk out the door of this incredible hotel to see
115 endless proof of that. This resort is one of the top destinations in the world. It
116 is one of only two hotels in the state to receive the coveted Forbes five -star
117 designation, and MSN declared this property the number one hotel in Arizona.
ZZS Tourism brings many benefits to the region. The Town is putting its full
119 efforts into drawing visitors to Marana. We are embarking on a marketing
120 program designed to bring people to our community from across North
121 America. Tourism is a $20 billion industry in Arizona and we want those
122 visitors to include Marana in their plans.
123 Marana is a great place to live and visit. That is why I am pleased to
124 announce that we are one of 16 finalists for the All- America City Award given
125 by the National Civic League. It is an honor to be considered for this
126 prestigious award, which is given to 10 communities each year. We are
127 sending a team to Denver for the competition and we are going to do
ZZS everything we can to come back as an All- America Citv.
129 We are also committed to recreational opportunities for our residents
13o and visitors. Our four signature events - Founders Day, the Star Spangled
131 Spectacular, the Cotton Festival, and the Holiday Festival - Christmas Tree
132 Lighting -are attended by thousands every year. Our staff and community
133 volunteers make these events great experiences for everyone. Events benefit
134 from the involvement of local industry. Working with community partners
135 enables our Town to deliver unforgettable experiences to our residents and
136 visitors alike.
137 Speaking of community partners, our Town owes tremendous gratitude
138 to the Marana Chamber of Commerce for many things, including today's
139 luncheon. A few of you will remember back in the early 1990s when the
140 Chamber played a key role in securing annexations along Ina, Orange Grove
141 and Thornydale. The Town was still in its early stages, and annexing this area
142 was a high prioritie. The businesses there would provide our Town with
143 stable revenues. The area was ready for significant growth.
144 The Town was fortunate to have our Chamber as a partner in its
145 annexation efforts. While the Chamber staff was small, its membership was
146 enthusiastic and willing to help create a brighter future for our Town. Town
147 staff and Chamber members spent hours meeting business owners and
148 representatives, talking to them about the benefits of being in our community.
149 It was because of those combined efforts that the area was annexed into
Zso Marana in 1994. The district there now includes everything from small stores
151 to large national retailers. More than half of the Town's sales tax revenue
152 comes from this area. Without that support, we would not be where we are
153 today.
154 Of course, every positive thing that happens in Marana is the result of a
155 team effort. Everything starts with you, our residents and business partners. It
156 is obvious that we share the same vision of a vibrant, successful Marana. I
157 appreciate everything you do to help us reach our goals. I applaud for
sss your service to our community.
159 We also appreciate the surrounding jurisdictions that share our mission
Zso of improving the lives of people in Southern Arizona. Whenever possible, we
161 work with local cities and towns. We can accomplish so much more working
162 together.
163 There are many organizations to thank today. Our Town is made whole
164 because of the Marana Health Center and Marana Community Food Bank. Our
165 fire districts - Northwest, Avra Valley, Picture Rocks and Mountain Vista -
166 provide life- saving services. Our community and faith -based organizations
167 help take care of the Town's underserved population. The good folks at the
168 Marana Heritage Conservancy keep our rich history alive. The Marana
169 Citizens' Forum helps the Town find solutions to pressing issues in the
170 community.
171 Towns are only as successful as their partners and I am proud to say
172 ours are second to none
173 An outstanding community also needs an excellent school district. We
174 have a great one in Marana. The Marana Unified School District prides itself on
175 having A -plus schools, award - winning students and staff, high test scores and
176 a stellar graduation rate. That only happens with visionary leadership, long-
177 term planning and having the right people on board to carry it out. Last
178 December, Doug Wilson was named All- Arizona Superintendent of the Year
179 for large districts by his peers. This reflects the work performed on a daily
sso basis by MUSD teachers and support staff. Please join me in thanking our
181 school district employees for everything they do to create tomorrow's leaders.
Zsz Our Town government also has strong leadership and dedicated
183 employees. Town Manager Gilbert Davidson and Deputy Manager Jamsheed
184 Mehta set the pace for a community that is always on the move, always
sss looking forward. Just like Doug Wilson, Gilbert was honored by his peers with
186 a prestigious award. This past February, the Arizona City - County Managers
187 Association gave Gilbert the John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award,
1,s P, the highest honor presented by ACMA. It is a clear reflection of our team's
189 success and a sign that we do things right.
Zgo I am also proud to be part of a Town Council that puts the needs of our
191 citizens first. Every decision we make comes after much deliberation as we
192 determine what best serves our residents and business owners. Please join
193 me in recognizing our dedicated council members: Vice Mayor Jon Post ...
194 council members David Bowen... Patti Comerford... Herb Kai... Carol
195 McGorray... and Roxanne Ziegler.
196 I invite you to spend some time reading the special edition of Tucson
197 Lifestyle that was left at your seat today. The editors at the publication
198 approached the Town a few months ago about partnering on this issue and we
199 gladly accepted. The magazine celebrates our community and its hopes,
zoo dreams and aspirations. It is a great read and makes me even more proud to
201 serve the Town of Marana.
202 As I bring this to a close, let me add that the state of our town is strong.
203 We all have countless reasons to be optimistic about Marana's present and
204 future. Our finances are sound. Our citizens care about their community. Our
205 partners are committed to making Marana great. We live in a place that is
206 clean and safe. The future is here Now more than ever.
Zoe Thank you again for coming and may God bless the Town of Marana and
208 you, each and every one.
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