PRESS RELEASE: Grand Opening for New Splashpad in Marana

MARANA – Marana Parks and Recreation Department will hold a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, August 30 at 9:00 A.M. to commemorate the opening of the new splash pad at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park located at 7548 N. Silverbell Road.

The 2,400 square foot splash pad is the latest amenity at the park and will be located near the playground and basketball courts.

“We are very excited to give the residents of Marana another destination attraction,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Deputy Director D. Tyrell McGirt. “Splash pads allow everyone to have an interactive, safe, and fun aquatic experience.”

The grand opening ceremony will be the public’s first opportunity to experience the splash pad, and will be held prior to Labor Day weekend. The ceremony will include a short ribbon cutting ceremony, refreshments, and an opportunity to be the first to try out the many amenities.

The splash pad features a series of floor geysers, floor lighting, colorful shade sails, and seating integrated within the pad outside of the water’s reach.

The new splash pad will fit in nicely with the other amenities at the park which include a dog park, athletic fields, a playground, basketball courts, and walking paths with access to the shared use path.

“Parks and park amenities bring people together and build community. The Crossroads at Silverbell District Park splash pad will be another public gathering spot where people can recreate and get to know their neighbors.” said McGirt.

Kids To Park Day a fun introduction to Tangerine Sky Park

On Saturday morning, August 25, over 400 Marana residents came out to enjoy the festivities of “Kids to Park Day” at the Town of Marana's new Tangerine Sky Park. Marana Parks and Recreation staff along with key traffic control assistance from Marana Police personnel, provided families with a fun, safe, positive experience.

Children enjoyed a wide variety of exhilarating and entertaining activities from field games, face painting, large inflatable slides, balloon twist and of course the outstanding new playgrounds and Zip Line. As an extra bonus the first 100 Kids enjoyed a free snow cone.
 
Feedback from those attending this first time event was both positive and appreciative that the Town provides these type of  family orientated community events.

Tangerine Sky Community Park opened on August 10 and is the largest park in Northeast Marana. The 17-acre park located just south of Tangerine Road near Dove Mountain Road has two dog parks and two playgrounds. The playgrounds are designed for children of different ages, one for preschoolers and the other for older kids. One of the features unique to the area will be a zipline-themed swing that will travel a length of 30-feet.

Other features include a lighted basketball court, ramadas, a perimeter walking path with connectivity to the multi-use path on Tangerine, as well as connections to the Tangerine Sky neighborhood.

Marana Parks and Recreation will be hosting a grand opening ceremony for the new splash pad at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park on Thursday, August 30 at 9 a.m.

Marana invites you to Fall Into Fun and Fitness

While the temperatures may not say fall, around the Marana Parks and Recreation Department, fall is in full swing. We are inviting everyone to Fall Into Fun + Fitness by partaking in all of our great fall programming.

We here at the Town are so excited about two new amenities for our residents. On August 10, we officially opened Tangerine Sky Community Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 17-acre park is the largest in Northeast Marana, and will provide plenty of fun and recreation for residents in the area.

On August 30 the new splash pad at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park opens. This is Marana’s second splash pad, joining the facility at Marana Heritage River Park in the Gladden Farms area. This will be another great feature at Crossroads for families to enjoy.

We have something for everyone, from the most diehard fitness enthusiast to people looking for activities for kids. Our programs involve sports, fitness, music, and the arts.

There are plenty of sports and fitness opportunities for both adults and kids. For the grown-ups we have Softball and Flag Football leagues, and our Pickleball League has become very popular. For those who want to work on their volleyball or hoops games, we have our Open Gyms for both basketball and volleyball.

For the kids were will have two separate Pee Wee Soccer leagues, one in South Marana at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park and one in North Marana at Ora Mae Harn Park. Sign-ups are already underway for January’s flag football league, but player evaluations are in October. For those who want to prepare for the season, we have a preseason football clinic that will get athletes up to speed.

We are also offering Tennis lessons for children as young as five years old. After their popularity over the summer, we are bringing back our horse camps for fall break in October.

For all of our runners out there, we have two bit races. In October, we have our second Dirt Dash Trail Run on the Wild Burro Trail. This year we added a 4.6K race to go along with the longer 15.6K race for those who really want to push themselves.

In November, we invite you to prepare for your Thanksgiving feast with the annual Turkey Trot. This year we add a Fun Run to go along with the 5K and 10K distances.

Those who love our amazing trails will have plenty of opportunities to experience the Tortolitas. We have both guided hikes and guided horseback rides.

Steve Berry’s Martial Arts Academy returns for those 6&Up who want to learn self-defense and self-discipline. Want to get in shape? Then our new Fitness on the Farm, boot camp style classes might be what you are looking for.

Marana Game Day – Corn Hole Tournament also returns this year, moving to December 1.

For those who want to learn or experience something new, we have a lot of great programs. We are expanding our music lessons in a partnership with Pima College. This year we will be offering guitar, piano, and Native American style flute classes.

More experienced musicians may want to participate in the monthly Bluegrass Jam sessions, while teens can learn Jazz/Lyrical Dance. Maybe singing and dancing is more your style? Then the Marana Community Musical Theatre may be for you. Last month they put on a wonderful performance of the Wizard of OZ, and they have a lot planned for this year.

Parks and Recreation is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide Baby Sitter Training and Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED classes.

For our residents 50 and up, the Boomer Adventure Trips with excursions to Apple Annie’s in Wilcox, the Patagonia Festival, Madera Canyon, and Winterhaven in December. We will also host a Fall Harvest/Halloween Dine and Dance event at the Marana Heritage River Park.

Whatever your interest, fitness, education, or just plain old fun, Marana Parks and Recreation has something for you. Come check us out.

Jim Conroy is the Town of Marana's Director of Parks and Recreation. 

Manager's Message: Projects on the horizon for the new fiscal year

We are officially two months into the new fiscal year and we are excited about what’s to come. Just as last year provided the Town with a number of milestones and accomplishments, fiscal year 2019 is already promising to be a great one for exciting projects in our community. By the end of this fiscal year, we can enjoy improved transportation corridors, expanded infrastructure developments, and new public facilities. 

We are nearing completion on several new park projects over the next few months, including the opening of two new parks and a water feature. Tangerine Sky Park opened this month, and hot on its heels will be the splash pad at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. Honea Heights pocket park will also open later this fall. 

Our police officers will be moving into a new building very soon. The new police facility is within a couple of months of completion, and is the result of months of public education and outreach, a community-supported half-cent sales tax increase, and years of research, planning and development. The designs include improved amenities to accommodate the police department’s various services, as well as the capacity to manage Marana’s anticipated population growth, and the commensurate police department growth, over the next 20 years.

The expansion of the wastewater facility is complete and has allowed us to triple the capacity at the water reclamation facility from what it was when Marana took over the sewer business. This further allows the Town to control our developmental destiny in North Marana. One of the other reasons Marana Town Council decided to enter the sewer business was to enhance Marana’s water portfolio. The recharge facility, when finished, will take in 100 percent of the effluent from the new sewer plant. The grand opening for the new wastewater facility is scheduled for the fall. 

Tangerine Road is nearing completion. For the last several years, construction crews have worked to steadily widen and flatten Tangerine Road to create a seamless corridor from Oracle Road to Interstate 10. With these extensive improvements, drivers on this essential artery can enjoy a safer, smoother and more accessible roadway. 

As we mark these milestones with celebrations and grand openings, we continue to prepare for the future with our infrastructure projects. This fiscal year, Marana Regional Airport begins a major asphalt repair project that will enhance a facility that was already narrowing the gap between revenues and operating expenditures. That narrowing of the gap will continue with the signing of new leases at current market rates. This is the first chance the town has had to renegotiate the leases since becoming the owner of the airport, and we are dedicated to promoting the airport’s vitality and future growth. 

Last year we began the transformation of North Marana, including the realignment of Marana Road. Soon we will cap off that project with a landscaping element on the roundabout that will make it an attractive gateway to North Marana as well as Downtown. 

All of these projects are intended to secure the future of the community, as Marana continues to be well-positioned to attract new residential development. Last fiscal year we made a goal of 625 single family residences, and eclipsed that by nearly 200 more residential homes. We expect to continue the trend of being a destination for new homeowners and development. With the new homes will come new businesses. Last year we saw Top Golf lead the way for new businesses calling Marana home, and we expect to see more employers. 

Marana is ideally suited for growth in the Tucson Metropolitan region.  This year we will embark on a sewer conveyance study that will identify new growth areas.  We will also initiate a drainage study covering North Marana that will provide us with options to not only make it safer during the monsoon season but will help us identify ways to get some acreage out of the floodplain.

The last fiscal year was a great one for our Town, and we have the same optimism and excitement for 2019 moving forward.

Jamsheed Mehta is the town manager of Marana.

FOCUS: Lock it or Lose it

While many of us feel safe in our community, taking a few extra steps can ensure you and your belongings remain safe. Here are a few safety tips to help you protect your property:

at home

• ALWAYS secure your garage door and close it at night
• Do not leave your vehicle open when unloading items
• Schedule delivery of internet purchases when someone is home
• Make sure vehicles parked on the property are locked and free of tempting items
• Trim the vegetation to the front of the house
• Leave the porch light on
• Let a trusted friend or relative know when you're out of town so they can check your residence

when shopping

• REMOVE your valuables from vehicles
• Don't leave packages visible through vehicle windows
• Secure packages in the trunk when possible
• Pay attention to your surroundings when walking to your vehicle
• Don't leave your purse unattended in your cart (use purse strap to secure purse to cart)
• ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings
• ALWAYS lock your vehicle
• DO NOT leave valuables or firearms in vehicles
• Be mindful of boxes that can be seen from an open garage door indicating new purchases
• Verify ALL outside lighting is functional
• Report ANY and ALL suspicious activity
• Non-emergency (520)682-4032
• TAKE Your keys

Tangerine Sky Park celebrates its grand opening

On Friday, August 10, 2018, the Town of Marana conducted the Grand Opening of Tangerine Sky Community Park. This event was organized and executed by the Marana Parks and Recreation Department and the Town’s Communications Office.  Several hundred people participated in this Grand Opening Ceremony.

 Parks and Recreation Director, Jim Conroy, Emceed this event and specifically acknowledged the Planning Commission as well as both the Sky Ranch HOA and Casa Sevilla HOA  (neighboring HOA’s to the Park) for their support both during the planning and construction of the park. Conroy also recognized both the professional design teams and construction companies who planned and built the park. 

Marana Mayor Ed Honea spoke on behalf of the Marana Town Council.

 As part of the ceremony, members of the “Marana Community Music Theatre” group, sang the National Anthem and America the Beautiful, which was very entertaining and well done.

 The public was treated to light refreshments, and were given their first opportunity to check out the park’s numerous amenities.

“Feedback on the park and the ceremony was very positive,” Conroy noted. ““There is a little something for everyone, people are going to love coming to this park.”

Conroy stressed that the park has something for a variety of age groups and interests.

Tangerine Sky Park project information:

4411 West Tangerina Road
(Between Camino de Oeste and Camino de Manana)

Total Cost of the Project: $4.1 Million for acquisition, design, and construction budget. The project was funded by Park Impact Fees.

Size: 18-acre site, preserving the natural environment, terrain, and vegetation.

The Park is ADA accessible.

Features:

2,100 linear feet of paved path has along tangerine from Camino de Oeste to Camino de Manana. 1,200 of this is directly adjacent to the park, from Camino de Oeste to the park path connection by the deer sculpture, and about 1,100 feet of paved path connected to it looping around the park, and additional raked earth and decomposed granite path networks.

Four Ramadas:
30’X40’ Ramada and 15’X25’ Ramada by the playground.
15’X25’ Ramada, and 8’X20’ Ramada by multi-use field.

Two Playgrounds:
Smaller playground for 2-5 year olds with play structure and swings.
Large playground for 5-12 year olds with play structure, swings, climbing bounders, double bobble rider, and Zip-line

Fenced basketball full court, with dark skies ordinance compliant lighting and 8’X20’ Ramada

2 Dog Parks:
Large Fenced: 20,00 sq. feet, 3,000 sq. feet of turf, and a 8’X20’ Ramada and dog fountain.
Small Fenced: 7,500 sq. feet, 1,200 sq. feet of turn, and a  8’X20’ Ramada and dog fountain.

Masonry restroom.

61 space paved parking lot.

Signalized intersection with Tangerine.

Crosswalk and path from Sky Ranch.

Salvaged plants serving as native landscaping.

Video: Tangerine Sky Community Park grand opening

On Friday, August 10, the Town of Marana opened Tangerine Sky Community Park with a grand opening ceremony. The ceremony attracted between 250-300 residents, employees, and stakeholders in the new park.

Marana Parks and Recreation Director, Jim Conroy, emceed this event and thanked all those who made the project possible, as well as giving some facts about the park and the project.

Marana Mayor Ed Honea discussed the importance of the park to this portion of Marana.

The Marana Town Council, several shareholders, and area children participate in the ribbon cutting.

KVOA previewed the opening.

KGUN 9 was also on hand for a sneak preview and had two live reports from the park.

Spaces open on Marana Citizens’ Forum

The Marana Citizens’ Forum (Forum) brings residents, business owners and community partners together to study and address multidisciplinary issues facing the Town. The Forum also functions as a focus group for special projects.   Outcomes and recommendations are presented to the Town Council.

The Forum meets for two sessions each calendar year.  Each session consists of six 1 ½ hour meetings, held every other Thursday in the Conference Center at the Marana Municipal Complex beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The next session will begin September 20, 2018.  

All applications will remain active for one year from the date of receipt. 

Applications are available at under Community/Marana Citizens’ Forum.  Applications can be submitted online.  Call 382-1960 for additional information.

Inaugural Youth Citizens Police Academy a success

The Town of Marana had some new and much younger faces around the Marana Municipal Complex during the week of July 16. The Marana Police Department conducted their first Marana Youth Citizens Police Academy, and it was a huge success. The young participants showed a thirst for knowledge when it came to learning more about law enforcement and the workings of the Marana Police Department.

“The Marana Youth Citizens Police Academy is designed to promote and enhance our teens’ understanding and awareness of the many duties and responsibilities of the Marana Police Department and the law enforcement community,” said Marana Police Department Community Resource Officer David Danielson.

Cadets of the Youth Citizen Police Academy had the opportunity to become familiar with the day to day operations of the Marana Police Department, which enabled them to gain a better understanding of the policies and laws that guide an officer's decisions as well as their own decisions as citizens.

The cadets witnessed a number of presentations made by police department staff on a multitude of topics including the Marana Police Department’s mission, ethics, crime prevention, community oriented policing, crisis negotiations, officer safety techniques, and more.

In addition to lectures, cadets were involved in physical activates each day that provided quite a challenge and helped them build skills in areas such as teambuilding, leadership, critical thinking, trust and health and fitness.

They participated in simulated traffic stops, role playing as both the drivers and the officers, and received immediate feedback on their performance by MPD officers.

Follow the Town of Marana and the Marana Police Department on social media for more information on future Youth Citizens Police Academies. 

Arizona Daily Star: Arts thrive in Marana

The Arizona Daily Star had a terrific article on the Marana Community Music Theater and their performance this Friday of The Wizard of Oz, as well as how the arts are thriving in Marana. 

Nearly 70 cast members, when you include the full orchestra, have spent weeks this summer getting ready for a one-night-only performance on Friday, July 27.

 For the past six weeks, they have filled one of the conference rooms of the Marana Senior Center next to Ora Mae Harn Park two nights a week. For several hours on those nights, they follow the direction of MCMT founders Sarah Ross and Heidi Barker to prepare for that performance.

But this is about more than a night at the theater…

“If this is something that brings pleasure and gets people involved because you’re going to have young and old and every ethnic group and every neighborhood involved, we invest in our people,” said Mayor Ed Honea.

The town places artwork by high school students and area artists in its parks. One of the most ambitious recently was steel statues of a deer family designed by Tucson artist Trevor O’Toole and crafted by welding students from Marana High School that was installed on Tangerine Road as a centerpiece of the upcoming Tangerine Sky Park. It also hosts school choirs for performances at town events, from Founders Day to the Fourth of July.

Read the FULL STORY

Eastbound I-10 off-ramp at Cortaro Road closed night of July 26

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for an overnight closure of the Interstate 10 off-ramp at Cortaro Road on Thursday, July 26.

The off-ramp is set to close at 9 p.m. and reopen at 7 a.m. the following morning while crews install an overhead sign structure.

Motorists on eastbound I-10 should use the Twin Peaks Road interchange and follow the frontage road to West Pavilions Drive to reach Cortaro Road.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Input wanted on the Marana Sign Code

Town of Marana is undergoing a review of its Sign Code in anticipation of the next update. They are interesting in what the public has to say regarding the Sign Code.

The Town would like to invite the public to participate by submitting review comment(s) to the Draft Sign Code Regulations. Please submit your comments using this ONLINE FORM. Forms will be accepted until August 24,2018.

For more information and public meeting dates, please visit http://www.maranaaz.gov/ldcinformation.

Flash Flood Safety Tips

The National Weather Service has provided some great tips for Flash Flood Safety:

On average, more people are killed by flooding than by any other single severe weather hazard, including tornadoes, lightning, and hurricanes. Most of these deaths occur at night, when it is more difficult to recognize flood dangers, and when people are trapped in vehicles. Do you and your family know what to do in case of a flood?

Remember…

• DO NOT drive onto a flooded roadway.
• DO NOT drive through flowing water.
• If you approach a roadway that is flooded, TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN.
• Drive with extreme caution if roads are even just wet or it is raining. You can lose control of your vehicle if hydroplaning occurs, which is when a layer of water builds up between your tires and the road, causing there to be no direct contact between your vehicle and the road.

If a Flash Flood Warning is issued for your area…

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! Act quickly to save yourself, you may not have much time.
• Get out of areas that are subject to flooding and move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Low spots such as dips, canyons, and washes are not the places you want to be during flooding!
• DO NOT camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
• DO NOT drive if not necessary. If driving is necessary, do not attempt to drive over a flooded road, as the depth of the water is not always obvious, and the roadway may no longer be intact under the water. Never drive around a barricade, they are placed there for your protection! If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground before water sweeps you and your vehicle away.
• DO NOT try to walk, swim, or play in flood water. You may not be able to determine if there are holes or submerged debris, or how quickly the water is flowing, and you may be swept away. If water is moving swiftly, as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off of your feet! There is also a danger of hazardous materials polluting the water. Also remember that water is an electrical conductor, if there are power lines down, there is a possibility of electrocution.
• Always continue to monitor the situation through the National Weather Service website, your NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards, or favorite local television or radio stations.

Why is “Turn Around - Don’t Drown” so important?

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather related hazard. The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. More than half of all flood related deaths result from vehicles being swept downstream. Of these, many are preventable.

More flood safety tips can be found on the National Weather Service website. 

Marana based animal shelter in dire need after flooding

Hope Animal Shelter opened its doors in Marana in August 2015. Yesterday’s flooding destruction is by far the worst they have seen. Tuesday’s monsoons flooded much of the outdoor facilities and all the rooms in the shelter. The roof is also leaking in many locations.

Town of Marana Animal Services will be collecting donations for the next week. The shelter is in need of cleaning supplies, trash bags, dog and cat food, and general animal supplies.

Donation can be dropped off at the 1st floor reception area of the Marana Municipal Complex at 11555 W Civic Center Drive, or at the Water Department portion of the Marana Operation Center at 5100 W. Ina Road.

Monetary donations can be made through HOPE Animal Shelter. They are also in need of assistance repairing the shelter, outside fencing, sheds, and water lines. If you would like to help repair the shelter, please contact Justin Gallick or Susan Scherl at 520-792-9200 or 520-820-9448.

6 months, 30 miles later, dog reunited with family

Panda the dog had been missing from her south side home for over seven months. Her family had lost hope of ever finding her again, but this week Panda and family were reunited thanks to Marana Animal Services and a microchip.

When Marana Animal Services picked up Panda at the convenience store on Cortaro Road, they assumed she had wandered off after getting scared on the Fourth of July. While fireworks were indeed the culprit, it was actually the New Year’s Eve fireworks that led to her becoming separated from her family seven months ago.

Luckily, Panda had a microchip and Marana Animal Services was able to get in contact with the family and reunite her with her people.

“It made my week,” said Marana Animal Control Officer Shane Elliott who had picked up Panda from the convenience store.

Elliott was told by the family that they had given up hope of finding Panda and were surprised she turned up over 30 miles away from home.

Marana Animal Services has been in place since July 2017 and has had great success reuniting families with their pets. During the first six months of operations, the division returned 47 percent of pets they picked up back to their families before reaching the shelter. Those numbers have remained consistent in the months following.

“This is why we do what we do,” Elliott said.

Panda was not the only successful reunification. Roxy the terrier-mix was lost in the Continental Ranch area. Marana Police Officers found the missing dog and were able to return her to her family in a tearful reunion at a local veterinary office.

Photo Gallery: Star Spangled Spectacular

On Wednesday, July 4, the Town of Marana held their annual Star Spangled Spectacular. Nearly 17,000 people attended the free event that included a kids' area with inflatables, five bands, food trucks, and of course, fireworks. 

Relive the evening with this photo gallery by J.D. Fitzgerald Photography. 

Grants help fund airport repairs

On Tuesday, July 19 the Marana Town Council approved the Town Manager to execute a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for funding to aid in the Marana Regional Airport’s Apron and Taxiway Rehabilitation project.

The Marana Regional Airport will undergo total reconstruction of the asphalt for several aprons and one of the taxiways. This $5.1 million project will pay a number of dividends for the airport and the Town of Marana. 

“First and foremost, replacing the surface will make it safer,” said Marana Regional Airport Director Steve Miller. “As the surface gets older, it begins to degrade and can become dangerous to both people and planes. With corporate jets costing as much as $85 million, it is very important to make sure debris does not damage aircraft.”

This project is a complete removal and reconstruction of approximately one million square feet of pavement. The project will not only restore the surface, but improve it. Marana Regional Airport was never designed for jets and, save for the runways, the pavement was not meant for the larger aircraft that now land at the facility on a daily basis. The strength of the existing pavement is currently not sufficient to support the weight of some of the private jets that park on the aprons. The new pavement will be designed to accommodate the weight of the aircraft that utilize this airport.

The new surface will also be cost-effective because it will require less maintenance. Currently, staff must sweep the pavement and remove debris that builds up over time.

“With less focus on the pavement, staff can turn their attention to other operational needs,” Miller said.

The FAA grant is for $4,497,369 while the Arizona Department of Transportation will contribute $220,769. The cost to the Town is $476,724 some of which will come from other FAA monies that were set aside by the airport in anticipation of this project. Additionally, the Town is working with Pima Aviation to enter into an agreement to be reimbursed approximately $132,717 for the ineligible construction costs that are a benefit to Pima Aviation's operations.

With this reimbursement the Town's costs would be reduced to approximately $327,142. 

Interstate 10 eastbound frontage road near Ina Road set to open June 29

The Eastbound Interstate 10 frontage road between Starcommerce Way and Ina Road in Marana is set to open Friday, June 29.

The opening will improve access to businesses along the eastbound I-10 frontage road and along Ina Road. In addition, the opening will allow vehicles to continue straight down the eastbound frontage road to Ina Road and continue toward Sunset Road.

The roadway is scheduled to open by the end of the day, June 29. A single lane will allow one-way traffic from Starcommerce Way to Ina Road. The intersection of Ina Road and the eastbound frontage road will be controlled by an all-way stop sign.

The on- and off-ramps connecting eastbound I-10 and Ina Road will remain closed.

The overall I-10/Ina Road traffic interchange is currently on schedule. Portions of the interchange are currently scheduled to begin opening in the spring of 2019.

Learn more on the project website

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT's Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Town honored for support of Veterans Cemetery

On June 19, the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation presented the Marana Town Council with a piece of artwork to thank the Town for being community partners with the cemetery in North Marana.

The painting “Home at Dusk,” by artist Robert Taylor depicts a squadron of P-51 Mustangs flying in formation during World War II. It will be placed on permanent display by at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, and will boast a commemorative plaque thanking the Town for their contributions.  

“Our foundation deeply appreciates the effort being made here in the Town,” said Sawn Pfund, a board member for the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation.

The Town of Marana has been committed to supporting its community of military veterans, and they do their utmost to honor them. Those efforts have led to Marana being designated a Purple Heart Town. 

“I’d like to thank the Town on behalf of the foundation. that continues to do work with us, to do what is right, what we normally say is the right thing to do for our veterans, both here in Marana and in Pima County,” said Pfund.

Pfund also gave praise to the Marana Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies who help provide traffic support for the foundation’s memorial events at the cemetery. 

The Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation is committed to the continued enhancement and beautification of projects inside the cemetery grounds.

Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located at 15950 N Luckett Road in North Marana.

Marana News: Marana performing strong through third quarter

Photo of the Marana Regional Airport by Tucson Local Media

Marana News published a story on Marana's third quarter financials on June 13.

As Marana finishes the third quarter of the current fiscal year, revenues continue to exceed expenditures, with few exceptions.

In the airport fund, expenses continue to exceed revenues; although the gap is shrinking. Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta said it’s rare for a general aviation airport, rather than commercial, to generate enough revenue to cover its expenses. Mehta added that the airport is estimated at bringing $18 million annually to the region in the form of jobs, local spending from visitors and money spent on luxury items such as high-end hotels and timeshare jets.

The airport is “generating wealth for the entire region,” Mehta said. “Don’t count it as a debt. Count it as an investment.”