Marana has a rich film history. It is known for its beautiful classic landscaped mountains and iconic saguaros--- a picture perfect backdrop for Hollywood movies.
"I couldn't believe how much was going on currently and also what the history was of filming since 1939 since the movie 'Arizona' was filmed here,"' said Laura Cortelyou, the Town of Marana's Tourism and Marketing Manager...
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.
The Town of Marana pavement preservation project will continue on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 through Friday, August 3, 2018 with crack fill along Continental Reserve Loop. This work will occur during daytime hours beginning at 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Expect moving lane closures and lane shifts.
For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.
Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.
If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.
Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
START DATE: 7/31/2018 END DATE: 8/3/2018
DAILY START TIME: 7:00:00 DAILY STOP TIME: 17:00:00
SEVERITY: MODERATE
PROJECT CONTACT: For questions related to this specific project, please contact Town of Marana Public Works Office at (520) 382-2536.
July 20th 2018
In recent years there has been a large push and multiple campaigns with a mission to get voters to acknowledge the importance of local government elections during election seasons. Although there are many arguments about how this level of government can directly address your community, there are two important considerations of a local election that are often missed. One consideration is the significance of casting a vote during the primary election. The second is the importance of voting every two years since the Town of Marana has staggered elections for Town Council.
Historically, the primary election determines the winners of open council seats for the Town of Marana. This means candidates for Marana Town Council may be voted in during the primary election without the need of a run-off election at the general election. In the 2018 election there are four seats open for Marana Town Council and the four highest vote-getters will win the election. The exception would be if there was any sort of tie that would require a run-off vote. In the event of a run-off vote, only the individuals in that instance of a tie would then move to the general election ballot so that voters can determine their remaining victor(s).
Arizona is a semi-closed primary in which registered voters can only vote for candidates in their own party. Being semi-closed still allows independent voters the ability to cast a ballot. However, there are more steps required for independent voters.
Independent voters are technically considered “party not designated” so when partisan ballots arrive for individuals registered for a party then the independent voters will also get a notification that they can vote. Independent voters will then need to reach out to Pima County Recorder’s Office, (520)724-4330, to request either a municipal-only ballot or a partisan ballot. Choosing a partisan ballot in this instance would not change the overall status as an independent. Independent voters constitute 31% of the overall registered voters in Pima County.
Each election, Marana residents are able to vote in three or four of the seven council seats. One common question pertains to the purpose or motivation behind staggered elections. Marana Town Council is a body of seven non-partisan members elected by voters with staggered terms. Staggering terms means that every two years there is an election and only a certain number of seats are open. This is compared to non-staggering terms that have all positions open at once every four years.
In the 2018 primary election there are 4 seats open for Marana Town Council, while in 2020 there will be two council seats along with the Mayor’s seat for election. The implication of having staggering terms every two years is that there is more consistency in policy setting.
The Town of Marana has a Council-Manager form of government, which is different from the Strong Mayor form of government. In a Strong Mayor form the Mayor is in charge of both the creation of policy along with Town Council members in addition to the management of day-to-day operations. Within the Council-Manager form of government the Town Council creates policy while the Town Manager implements policy per Council instruction and manages the day-to-day operations. The Town Manager in a Council-Manager form of government is an appointed position by the Town Council and is an at-will employee.
Policies may be difficult to implement if all the elected officials are constantly changing every four years in the event of non-staggering terms. By having staggering elections it provides more policy consistency by having a certain number of council members remain in office.
If residents in the Town of Marana are looking to make a large impact, then they may consider voting every two years in the primary election regardless if it is a presidential-election or not. Currently, there are four seats open on Marana Town Council in the 2018 primary election. The Town of Marana’s official candidate filings, in alphabetical order, include: Mace Bravin, Patti Comerford, Jeff Gray, Herb Kai, Jack Neubeck, John Officer, and Jon Post.
If you would like to participate in the primary election (August 28th, 2018) and have a voice in your local government, please register by July 30th, 2018. The link below contains information for residents who want to register to vote, find their polling stations, request an early ballot, see Town Council candidate filings, and see more information regarding independent voters:
http://www.maranaaz.gov/voter-information
If you have additional questions about this year’s local election please reach out to the Town of Marana Town Clerk’s Office at 520-382-1962
Andrea Sirois is a post-graduate intern at the Town of Marana during summer 2018.
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.
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.
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.
June 7th 2018
“Are you going to the Kentucky Derby?” A police officer asked Management Intern Andrea Sirois. The intern was wearing a long blue flowery shirt and large summer hat to observe a day-long training at the shooting range. In hindsight this might not have been the most practical outfit for her to don, but this was Andrea’s first time in a shooting range and just her second day at the Marana Police Department as part of her month-long shadowing of all the Town Departments.
“I am going for best dressed!” the Intern responded, matching the officer’s friendly banter.
Marana’s Police Department definitely has a positive attitude and healthy sense of humor, which tends to be important since they typically deal with emergencies and crisis management on a daily basis. It also plays well when interacting with the public in non-emergency situations.
“Community policing” is the approach Marana Police Department embodies when interacting with Town of Marana residents. This philosophy follows the ideals that these public safety officers are ambassadors for our cities and towns, and participate in direct involvement with citizens.
This philosophy manifests in organized events like Coffee with a Cop or Dispose-A-Med, or during casual situations like making a joke about the Kentucky Derby to put a nervous Intern at ease. These interactions create personalized relationships between public safety officers, residents, and local organizations.
Shadowing the police department this week has brought up great conversational pieces and perspectives. Within two days it provided hands-on experience from observing a police ride-along to weapons training in the shooting range. It was also an opportunity to speak with the police records department, crime scene investigations, and emergency dispatch divisions of the police department.
One of the more remarkable observations during the police ride-along was discovering the evolution of technology in the public sector. Officer Goering, who has 13 years of experience in public safety, explained methods used in the past before vehicle laptops were readily available. When dispatchers would give information, some officers would pull over on the side of the road to take notes on a notepad while others would take a dry erase marker to their window to jot down the critical information.
This happened just 13 years ago.
From a resident perspective, 2005 was a time of so much available technology. Most residents had access to the Apple IPod Classic, and the Xbox 360 was launched that same year.
The police records division was especially enthusiastic about the advancement of police laptop access because it meant they no longer had to decipher the police officers’ handwriting for written reports. Although one officer admitted that they still like to provide reports in handwriting, if only it were still an option.
Having in-vehicle laptops significantly helped improve communication between dispatchers and officers, created more efficiency in the records division, provided information to court systems, and provided more accurate and timely reports.
Overall, the Marana Police Department is very interesting. The range and scope of what they do day in and day out is fascinating, and more far reaching than one would assume from the outside. While keeping the community safe is the primary goal, there are far more methods of accomplishing that than what we may see on television procedurals.
If you are interested in getting involved with Marana’s Police Department and would like to learn more about the pressing issues of the department or interact more closely please look into the Citizens Academy Police Department: http://www.maranaaz.gov/citizens-police-academy/
Andrea Sirois is a post-graduate intern at the Town of Marana during summer 2018.
START DATE: 07/16/2018
END DATE: 07/20/2018
DAILY START TIME: 6:00:00
DAILY STOP TIME: 19:00:00
SEVERITY: MODERATE
PROJECT CONTACT: For questions related to this specific project, please contact Town of Marana Public Works Office at (520) 382-2536.
Travel Impact: Light delays
Granite Construction will be preforming storm clean up on Silverbell Road between Cantamar Street and Continental Reserve Loop. Traffic may be delayed for a short period of time due to lane closures. Work will continue through this week.
For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.
Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.
If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.
The Town of Marana pavement preservation will resume on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 through Friday, July 20, 2018 with crack fill on Continental Reserve Loop. This work will occur during daytime hours beginning at 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Expect moving lane closures and lane shifts.
For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.
Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.
If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.
The Town of Marana will be preforming storm clean up at multiple locations including Silverbell Road., Twin Peaks Road., Tangerine Road., Coachline Road., Camino de Manana, Linda Vista, Hartman, Thornydale Road., Moore Road., Sandario Road., and other Marana roads within our jurisdiction. Traffic may be delayed for a short period of time at each location.
For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.
Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.
If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.
Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
START DATE: 07/11/2018 END DATE: 07/20/2018
DAILY START TIME: 08:00:00 DAILY STOP TIME: 2:30:00
SEVERITY: MODERATE
PROJECT CONTACT: For questions related to this specific project, please contact Town of Marana Public Works Office at (520) 382-2536.
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?
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 — Town staff has added Friday, July 13 as an additional day for sandbag distributions. Residents can collect their sandbags from 8 AM - 2:30 PM.
Sandbag distributions will be located at El Rio Open Space (10050 N. Coachline Blvd) and Marana Heritage River Park (12280 N. Heritage Park Drive). Public Works staff will load pre-filled sandbags into the vehicle.
Limit of 10 sandbags per vehicle. In the event of increased weather, additional distribution dates will be added to the schedule. For more information, please contact Public Works at (520)382-2536, or follow the Town of Marana on Facebook and Twitter.
During monsoon, Town of Marana will be regularly handing out sandbags to Marana residents every Tuesday through the end of the rainy season beginning June 19 from 8 AM – 2:30 PM.
"The Public Works Department provides services that are vital to our community’s health, safety, and comfort," said Public Works Director Mo El-Ali. "We provide this service to our community to help keep Marana residents safe."
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.
You are invited to the inaugural Local Legends Celebration, honoring the legacy of Marana’s first female mayor Ora Mae Harn.
Canyon Building and Design and Eagle Rock Excavating LLC will be repaving N. Rillito Village Trail in-between Calmat Drive and Eastbound I-10 frontage road beginning in the morning on Monday, October 21, 2024, through Wednesday evening October 23, 2024.
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has awarded the Marana Police Department two grants totaling $123,202 for overtime funding and equipment.
The Town of Marana is in the top ten of a list of best small cities in Arizona according to a study recently released by WalletHub ranking the best cities in America.
Southwest Gas will be installing a new gas main along Adonis Road near the intersections of Mandarina Boulevard and Adonis Road beginning Monday October 14, through Friday October 25, 2024.
Centurylink/Lumen will be working on cable splicing at the intersection of Ina Road and Silverbell Road on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Borderland Construction will be installing a utility line across Tangerine Road by Trico starting October 8, 2024.
Are you in need of financial assistance to pay your overdue utility bills? The Town of Marana may be able to help!
Borderland Construction will be installing water lines along Avra Valley Road, starting at Air Commerce Drive and continuing approximately 1,000 ft east. A lane shift and speed reduction will be in place from Friday, September 27, 2024, until Friday, October 11, 2024.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at least 300 people came together at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park for our annual National Night Out with the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District. This event aims to strengthen ties between community members and local first responders.
The award-winning Fall Festival returns to Heritage River Park in a little over two weeks for an evening of food and fun for all ages!
The Town of Marana has proclaimed September 23-29, 2024 as Diaper Need Awareness Week.
The Town of Marana will be removing and replacing a section of asphalt on Costco Drive at the Intersection of Costco Drive & Costco Place on Friday, September 27, 2024
The Town of Marana will be removing and replacing a section of asphalt on Marana Main Street at the Intersection of Marana Main Street & Grier Road. Work will start on September 30, 2024 and end on the same day.
Think your car seat is secure? Nearly half of all parents unknowingly install their child's seat incorrectly, but the Marana Police Department can help! It's Child Passenger Safety Week!
The Town of Marana is recognizing two decades of community and growth in Gladden Farms.
Borderland Construction will be installing a utility line across Tangerine Road by Trico starting on September 16, 2024.
A highly anticipated new section of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop north of Avra Valley Road into the North Marana/Gladden Farms area is officially open to the public!
Tucson Electric Power will be installing new power lines starting Tuesday, September 17 2024, through Wednesday, September 25 2024.
Join us for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the highly anticipated CalPortland Loop connection in the Town of Marana!
Heidi Lasham has been appointed as the new Director of the Marana Water Department, effective Monday, September 23, 2024.
Town Manager Terry Rozema sits down with Community & Neighborhood Services Director Lisa Schafer and Chief Code Enforcement & Animal Control Officer Lori Sheppard to talk about code enforcement, animal control, broken windows, election signs, and more.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is advising drivers to prepare for overnight lane restrictions and ramp closures on westbound Interstate 10 near Orange Grove Road.
The Town of Marana has been recognized as one of the most affordable suburbs in the nation.
The City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) announced the 2024 winners of its national Savvy Awards Competition during a ceremony at the Loews Arlington Hotel on Thursday, Sept. 5, where the Town of Marana Communications Division received the Savvy Award in the Publications-Other category.
Borderland Construction is installing signal poles, mast arms, and crosswalks at Tangerine Road and Crossroads Trail beginning Monday, September 9, 2024, through Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Marana Parks & Recreation has been honored with two awards from the Arizona Parks & Recreation Association (APRA) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the community through innovative events and impactful media outreach.
The Town of Marana will be improving the sidewalk access ramps along Cortaro Road Between I-10 and Arizona Pavilions Drive, and at the intersection of Wade Road and Silverbell Road.
Updated July 11, 7:20 AM
Heavy congestion on Cortaro at I-10 due to slow moving trains caused by yesterday’s derailment. Please consider using alternate routes.
Updated July 10, 5:27 PM
Coachline Blvd from Yellow Moon Drive to Twin Peaks Road remains closed.
East side I-10 frontage road between Twin Peaks Road and Avra Valley remains closed due to flooding and train derailment. 24-hour security is on site.
All other Town of Marana roads are open.
Updated July 10, 5:07 PM
Casa Grande Highway at Barnett Road to Tangerine Farms Road is now open.
Updated July 10, 4:57 PM
Sandario Road north and south to Avra Valley is now open.
Updated July 10, 4:47 PM
Silverbell Road is now open. Proceed with caution.
Updated July 10, 4:41 PM
Grier Road and Wentz Road intersection is flooded. Use alternate routes.
Updated July 10, 4:35 PM
Silverbell Road southbound near Li'l Abner's Steakhouse is down to one lane due to debris.
Updated July 10, 4:11 PM
Tangerine Road between I-10 and Thornydale is back open, but there is debris in the roadway. Proceed with caution.
Silverbell Road and the Twin Peaks Interchange is experiencing more than usual traffic flow. Proceed with caution, seek alternate routes.
Updated: July 10, 4:08 PM
Arizona Department of Transportation to close the frontage road from Twin Peaks to Avra Valley Road. 24-48 hours needed for cleanup.
Updated: July 10, 4:03 PM
Flood waters near Saguaro Bloom community have receded. One lane of traffic now open due to debris in the road.
Updated: July 10, 3:31 PM
Water is in the roadways at the following locations. Please avoid these areas:
Follow the Town of Marana and Marana Police Department for live updates:
https://www.facebook.com/townofmaranaaz/
Beginning July 12, over 150 people will gather in Marana to participate in Marana Police Department's "Night Moves", a three-day training event for Police Explorers that takes public safety education beyond a typical classroom setting.
Aimed towards kids ages 16-20 interested in a career in law enforcement, The Police Explorers program is offered by many police agencies throughout the nation to teach kids all the ins and outs of public safety. Marana's "Night Moves", however, takes the learning experience to a practical level where the Explorers will be challenged with role-playing scenarios.
"'This event allows Police Explorers to go out and put into practice scenario-based situations they've been learning about in the classroom, including domestic violence, drunken disorderly conduct, robberies, runaways, and more," said Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema.
The scenario challenges will last three days and involve many volunteers and locations. Officers on scene will evaluate the Police Explorer's performance, and even offer some guidance.
"People have opened up their homes and businesses to support these scenarios," said Chief Rozema. "Volunteers are playing the roles of victims."
Police Explorers from throughout Arizona will be participating in the event including US Border Patrol, Tucson Police, South Tucson Police, Chandler Police, Glendale Police, and El Mirage Police.
"This is a collaborative effort," said Marana Police Officer Jimmy Rizzi, coordinator for "Night Moves". "This gives the kids an opportunity to work not just together within their own agency, but with kids from other agencies. Just like in the real world, we work with other agencies all the time."
"You get to think on your feet," Police Explorer RJ York, age 18, spoke of his experience from previous years. "I remember an officer down scenario where we had the area surrounded and the suspect wasn't complying. We had to go through it and figure it out."
This will be York's fourth year participating in "Night Moves". He recently graduated from Marana High School and enlisted in the United State Air Force. In addition to learning about law enforcement, he attributes the Police Explorers program for helping him develop the confidence to talk to people.
"It's important to learn as much as you can at these events so you can experience what an actual police officer will experience," said Police Explorer Zayda Olivas, age 15. "Ask a lot of questions, it really helps."
Olivas is a Marana High School sophomore. She learned about the Police Explorers program through her School Resource Officer. This will be her second "Night Moves."
"I look forward to doing this again," Olivas said. "Kids really enjoy the experience. We can also learn different techniques from other agencies."
Police Explorers will complete 21 different scenarios this year.
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.
When Marana Mayor Ed Honea was a boy, he’d spend time wandering around his desert town, frequently discovering pottery sherds and arrowheads along the Santa Cruz riverbed and nearby slot canyons.
Unknowingly, he was retracing the footsteps that had originally left those items ever since humans started coming to the region back in 11,000 B.C. It was a cooler environment then, with the Ice Age coming to a close and clear streams bordered by grass-covered prairies bringing nomadic hunters in search of mammoth and bison.
Lots of changes have taken place during the intervening years with today’s bustling Marana moving forward with new ideas, while still celebrating its historic past....
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.
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.
Main line: 520-382-1999
Emergency: 911
Police: 520-382-2000
Development Services: 520-382-2600
Animal Services: 520-382-8020
Parks & Recreation: 520-382-1950
Court: 520-382-2700
Airport: 520-382-8052
Water: 520-382-2570
Public Works: 520-382-2536
General admin hours of operation:
Mon-Fri 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Cashier:
All financial transactions occur at the first floor reception counter of the Administration building.
Main Address:
Marana Municipal Complex
11555 W Civic Center Drive
Marana, AZ 85653
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