Traffic Alert: Ina Road resurfacing

The Town of Marana will begin Milling and Paving operations on Ina Road beginning Monday, October 29th through Friday, November 2nd. Construction will begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. daily. Expect lane closures, heavy delays, and increased truck traffic. The Town will mill (remove) three inches of existing asphalt and then repave the section of Ina Road between Ulene Place and the Canada del Oro Wash.

This is part of the Ina Road Beautification Project, which is being done in conjunction with Arizona Department of Transportation’s Ina Interchange Project. The beautification/improvement project is designed to make the area even more appealing for customers when the interchange is complete and Ina Road is fully accessible once again.

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.

Make Marana 2040: Your input is needed!

Town of Marana is currently working on the General Plan 2040 update, and your input is needed. For those who were unable to attend the first set of workshops, you can still participate by taking the survey.  The survey will be available through November 4th, 2018.

View the survey results from the first set of workshops.

Make Marana 2040: First round of workshops a success for General Plan update

View the PDF version of this report.

Project Background

How can Marana preserve and enhance its existing qualities while reaching its fullest potential as a community? That’s one of many questions to be explored as part of the process of updating Marana’s General Plan (Learn more about the Marana 2040 General Plan).

Town of Marana hosted the first Marana 2040 General Plan public workshops on Wednesday, October 3 and October 4 to solicit feedback from community members on their vision for Marana’s future.

Workshop Overview 

The first set of community workshops were held on October 3 and 4, 2018 at 6:00 PM. On October 3rd, the workshop was held at the Marana Municipal Complex and on the 4th the workshop was held at the Wheeler Taft Abbett Library. The objectives for this workshop were to: 

• Inform attendees about the basics of what a General Plan is and how it is used;

• Engage the public in developing a vision for Marana; 

• Identify issues affecting the Town and opportunities to capitalize on; and 

• Locate key assets and challenges geographically that make Marana unique. 

What Happened? 

A total of 43 people attended the two workshops. Upon arriving, each attendee was asked to sign-in by providing their name and email to be added to the project eBlast list for future project notifications and updates. The attendees were also asked to identify on a map, generally, where they live or work in Marana to see what areas of the Town are being represented in the workshop results. Attendees at the October 3rd workshop used red dots, and are dispersed across the Town of Marana, between Gladden Farms, Dove Mountain, and Continental Ranch. Attendees at the October 4th workshop used blue dots, and are mostly north of Tangerine Road and west of Interstate 10, with some dispersed along the eastern edge of the Town. 

The workshop began with a presentation featuring a broad overview of what a General Plan is and the update process, and included four exercises to gather community input that will help guide the General Plan update. These exercises and the results are described and summarized on the following pages. 

Exercise 1 – Survey 

A series of 20 survey questions regarding various topics related to the Town of Marana were asked throughout the presentation. Participants were able to provide their responses using an electronic polling device. Below are highlights from the survey results. 

• Most participants (25%) have lived in Marana for less than one year, and 44% live in the northwest portion of Marana, which is north of Avra Valley Road and west of Interstate 10. 

• A majority of participants (59%) are not familiar with the current 2010 Marana General Plan. 

• Over 90% of respondents rated Marana’s housing quality as average or better. 

• Most participants, 32% rated the diversity of housing in Marana to be above average, but also identified a wide spectrum of housing they would support, of which mixed-use housing received the most votes with 22%. 

• Marana’s recreation and open space system was highly rated, with 85% of participants rating Marana’s overall park facilities average or better and 90% of participants rating the quality of trails and pathways as average or better. 

• Retail shopping in Marana is viewed as roughly average in Marana, with 42% of respondents rating it as such, but 45% of respondents rated dining and entertainment as below average. 

• The top 3 things participants like about Marana are housing (22%), the location outside the Tucson metro area (19%), and outdoor open spaces and trails (15%) 

• The top 3 things participants think need to be improved are dining (25%), jobs (19%), and shopping (17%). 

• 61% of respondents would like to see the Town grow more in the northeast portion of Marana, which is north of Avra Valley Road and west of Interstate 10. 

• Respondents identified Marana’s best asset for the future as opportunities for growth and business development (24%), and the biggest threat to Marana’s future as a lack of jobs (28%). 

View the workshop survey results.

For those who were unable to attend the first set of Workshops, you can still participate by taking the Survey.  Survey available through November 4th, 2018

Exercise 2 – Visioning 

The second exercise involved developing a Vision Statement for the Marana 2040 General Plan. A Vision Statement reflects what community members value the most about their community and the shared aspirations for their community. The Vision Statement should be inspirational and set the tone for the General Plan’s goals and policies. 

The purpose of the Visioning Exercise was to develop a Vision Statement to guide the General Plan and the future of the Town. During this exercise, participants were asked to individually create a Vision Statement using a worksheet that had two ‘fill-in-the-blank’ options, and one “Create Your Own” Vision Statement option. The participants were given a series of values, assets, adjectives to complete this exercise, but were also able to come up with their own words. Once completed, the participants formed small groups to write one vision statement that best reflected their ideas about Marana’s future. 

The fill in the blank examples provided were as follows:

Option 1

• Marana promotes a/an [adjective]                    quality of life that is built on [values]                ,                     , and                   . We pride ourselves with having [assets]                  ,                  , and                     that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

Option 2

• Marana in 2040 is recognized as a/an [adjective]                ,                     , and                   place to live, work and play. Our community, with its [assets]                  ,                  , and                   provides [future assets]            ,               , and                   and is a preferred regional and national destination.

Option 3

• Create Your Own

Top Vision Statement Descriptors

Following are the top terms that were used to describe the Town of Marana as part of participants’ vision for the community’s future: 

Adjectives

• Vibrant

• Family-Oriented

• Active

• Unique

Values

• Sustainability

• Sense of Community

• Stewardship

• Community Spirit

Assets

• Quality Neighborhoods

• Open Space

• Jobs

• Housing

The following provides the results from each of the small groups. For the fill-in-the-blank options, words filled in by the groups are shown in ALL CAPS.

• Marana promotes a VIBRANT quality of life that is built on COMMUNITY SPIRIT, STRONG FAMILY, and SENSE OF HERITAGE & TRADITION. We pride ourselves with having A DOWNTOWN, OPEN SPACE, and QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS & SCHOOLS that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

• Marana promotes a VIBRANT quality of life that is built on SUSTAINABILITY, INTEGRITY, and INCLUSIVENESS. We pride ourselves with having QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS, ENTERTAINMENT, and JOBS that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

• Marana promotes an ACTIVE quality of life that is built on STEWARDSHIP. We pride ourselves with having OPEN SPACE, and NIGHT-TIME SKIES that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

• Marana promotes a FAMILY-ORIENTATED quality of life that is built on SENSE OF COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, and SUSTAINABILITY. We pride ourselves with having HOUSING, QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS, and SCHOOLS that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

• Marana in 2040 is recognized as an ATTRACTIVE, UNIQUE, and VIBRANT place to live, work and play. Our community, with its JOBS, ENTERTAINMENT, and CULTURAL RESOURCES provides COMMUNITY SPIRIT, SECURITY, and SENSE OF HERITAGE & TRADITIONS, and is a preferred regional and national destination.

• Marana promotes an UNIQUE quality of life that is built on COMMUNITY SPIRIT, INCLUSIVENESS, and UNITY. We pride ourselves with having OPEN SPACES, VIEWS, and TOWN SERVICES that respond to our diverse needs. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

• Marana in 2040 is recognized as an ENGAGING, CONNECTED, and INNOVATIVE place to live, work and play. Our community, with its NATURAL RESOURCES, HOUSING, and NIGHT-TIME SKIES provides JOBS, ENTERTAINMENT, and QUALITY NEIGHBORHOODS, and is a preferred regional and national destination.

• Marana promotes an ENGAGED CONSCIENTIOUS quality of life that is built on STEWARDSHIP, SUSTAINABILITY, and SENSE OF COMMUNITY. The Town will grow in a manner that ensures that new growth and development improves our community and retains our shared values.

Exercise 3 – Issues and Opportunities

The third exercise allowed participants to brainstorm specific issues and opportunities they feel are important to address in the General Plan Update process. In this exercise, participants were asked to write issues on pink index cards and opportunities on green index cards. The issues and opportunities were then sorted into one of six categories: Economic Development, Housing, Land Use, Parks & Recreation, Transportation, and Public Services and posted on a board for viewing.

Top Opportunities

• Quality housing

• Open spaces and natural resources

• Opportunity for trail connectivity

• Room for growth

• Development of Downtown

Top Issues

• Water quality & quantity

• Lack of public transportation

• Lack of housing diversity

• Lack of entertainment, retail, and dining

• Lack of development north of Twin Peaks and west of I-10

Exercise 4 – Asset Mapping

The last exercise was a Mapping Exercise where participants were given a set of red, green, and yellow stickers and were asked to identify positive assets in Marana with a green sticker, areas that need to be improved with a red sticker, and a defining characteristic of Marana with a yellow sticker on a map of the Town. The stickers were then numbered with corresponding notes as to what they are referring to.

The following are highlights from this exercise:

Yellow Results

• Tortolita Preserve

• Saguaro National Monument

• Tucson Outlet Malls

• Gladden Farms

Green Results

• Parks, open space, and trails

• Opportunities for Downtown development

• Roadway improvements

• Senior center

Red Results

• Congested interchange at Cortaro Road

• Road connectivity

• Flooding from Santa Cruz

• Water contamination

Busy weekend in Marana

It is a very busy weekend in the Town of Marana. There is something for everyone, whether you want to meet the police, watch a free movie, view some art, or get your dogs vaccinated.

Marana completes police facility construction, repeals half-cent sales tax

The Marana Town Council voted unanimously to repeal the half-cent sales tax put in place to fund the new Town of Marana Police Facility following the facility’s completion. The decision was made at the October 16 Town Council meeting and will go into effect on January 1, 2019.

“A promise made, a promise kept,” said Marana Mayor Ed Honea.

In April 2015, Town Council approved the sales tax increase to fund the bulk of the police facility project. The sunset tax was designed to raise $18 million dollars to build the facility and then be repealed as soon as the necessary funds were collected. The temporary tax increase went into effect on July 1, 2015.

Based upon current collections and conservative estimates from the independent tax analysis and forecast report by Elliott D. Pollack & Company, the Town anticipates that the one-half percent sales tax will generate the remaining portion of the targeted $18 Million with the December 2018 collections.

“I believe this is a pretty significant achievement to the community,” said Deputy Town Manager Erik Montague in his presentation to Town Council. “This is the second time in my time here that we have fulfilled our promise to the community where we had a temporary tax for a specific purpose.”

The sales tax increase came after nearly a year of public outreach and research. At the July 1, 2014 council meeting, Town Council requested a public outreach plan be developed, and the following month that plan was presented and approved by Council. Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema met with local residents and business leaders and garnered the necessary support to build the project. This public outreach included public meetings, direct business outreach, media interviews, survey cards, and open houses to show the need for the new facility.

With public and business support for the project, Town Council voted in February 2015 to initiate the process to adopt the dedicated one-half percent sales tax to be used exclusively for the design and construction, fixtures, furniture and equipment for a new police department building, and in April they finalized the tax.

Council required that the proceeds from the tax increase be placed in a newly established fund dedicated to building the police facility.  Any collections in excess of $18,000,000 will be used for other costs related to the new police building, including but not limited to operating costs, landscaping, and design and construction of drainage improvements.

The Marana Police Department will hold their dedication ceremony for the new facility on Wednesday, November 14.

TRAVEL ALERT: Expect delays on westbound Interstate 10 near Ina Road

Travelers should expect delays on westbound Interstate 10 near Ina Road for roadway repair. Drivers should allow extra time, consider alternates route while work is underway

Drivers who use westbound Interstate 10 near Ina Road should plan for delays as crews make a repair to the road surface.

• Westbound I-10 is narrowed to two lanes at Ina Road (the right lane is closed).

• Traffic in the area is expected to remain slow throughout the day, especially during the evening rush hour. 

• Drivers should be prepared to merge into the open travel lanes and use caution in the active work zone.

There is no estimated time for the right lane to reopen. ADOT advises drivers to allow extra travel time and consider using an alternate route.

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.

Marana News: Marana Art Expo coming this month

The Marana News had a good article on the Marana Art Expo, which will be held on October 26-27 at the Marana Community Center.

The Town of Marana is receiving an extra dose of culture this month with the Marana Art Expo. 

Hosted by parks and recreation, the expo will feature local artists Robin Parnell, Jerry Gwin and Anja Leigh on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27 at the Marana Community Center, 1325 N. Lon Adams Road.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public, and will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. 

Read the rest at the Marana News website.

Marana, lighting the way to energy savings

On Friday, October 12, the Town of Marana debuted the new Solar/Shade Super Structure at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. The 9,600 square foot structure covers the existing two basketball courts. 

in addition to the great energy savings achieved from this solar structure, it will also expand the Town of Marana’s ability to provide more recreational and community programs for our citizens. The structure will provide shade during hot Arizona days and it is equipped with state of the art lighting, making games at night an even better experience.

Marana Parks and Recreation believes the structure will provide additional opportunities beyond basketball. 

“This structure will allow the ability to provide programs under this shaded structure during times of the year, that previously would not have been possible on the fully sun-exposed concrete courts,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy. “The lights under this structure are high quality LED lamps which will also provide outstanding lighting for night time sporting and community events. From basketball tournaments to community festivals, this new structure will enhance our ability to better serve our residents.”

The structure at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park is the second located in a Marana park, joining a 6,097  sq. ft. solar structure in Ora Mae Harn District Park. Like the structure at Crossroads, this project will not only provide electrical credits and environmentally friendly energy, it will also serve as an outstanding amenity for the park. This structure will provide shade for park patrons watching swim meets in the pool or their children playing on the large playground structure.

The two structures, as well as future structures erected at the Marana Municipal Complex are part of a power-purchase agreement with Solon. The company pays for the installation costs of the solar arrays, while the Town pays a discounted rate for the energy it uses. Estimates by the Town of Marana Public Works Department believe the installations will save the Town roughly $3 million over a 30-year period.

“These two projects went very smoothly,” said Facilities Superintendent Brendan O’Connor, who served as the project’s project manager. “Solon met the schedules laid out in the pre-construction meetings and they were a pleasure to work with.”

The Town of Marana’s other solar projects with solar arrays include the Marana Municipal Complex’s parking lot, the new secure parking lot at the Marana Police Facility, and a collection of solar arrays at the Marana Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The arrays in the parks are on a net metering systems which gives the Town the ability to produce power during the day and receive credit for nighttime usage.

“The two projects will save money on costly electrical bills and demonstrate that clean energy is a smart choice for the future,” said Marana Public Works Director Mo El-Ali. “These clean-energy investments support building a healthier, more sustainable community where we work, live, and play. The Crossroads park project will provide a nice community engagement platform. We look forward to collaborating and partnering further with Solon to advance further projects.”

Development Services Director Jason Angell presents on projects in Marana

Attendees at the Community Conversations meeting located at Marana Municipal Complex on October 9 were treated to a presentation from Development Services Director Jason Angell on current Marana projects. His presentation covered the new police facility, Gladden Farms Northwest Fire District station, road projects, new businesses, and more.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

Angell’s presentation is part of the 2018 Community Conversations series hosted by the Town of Marana and located at various locations throughout the community. For each location, Angell presented a customized presentation of projects reflective of the area.

View the presentation focusing on north Marana.

View the October 1 presentation focusing on the northeast side of Marana (including Dove Mountain and Tangerine Road).

View the September 27 presentation focusing on the south side of Marana.

Haven’t had a chance to attend one of the Community Conversations? There’s one more left!

Tuesday, October 30
2:30 PM
Sunflower Village Center - Fiesta Room
9401 N. Sunflower Park Dr.

More information.

Traffic Alert: Ina Road Reconstruction

The Town of Marana will be installing utility conduits at the intersections of Ina Road and Thornydale Road and Ina Road and Meredith Road beginning Monday night (October 8, 2018) through Thursday night (October 11,2018). Work Hours will be 7:00 P.M to 5:00 A.M.  Expect lane closures and traffic delays. This work is part of Project Ina, installing conduit for irrigation and street lights.

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.

Traffic Alert: Tangerine Farms Road - Storm Repairs

The Town of Marana will be replacing trees along Tangerine Farms Road due to Monsoon storm damage. The work will be starting on Monday, October 8th, 2018 through Friday, October 19th, 2018. 

This work will take place during day time hours from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm and include a single lane closure.     

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:  10/08/2018                                           END DATE:  10/19/2018

DAILY START TIME:  6:00:00                                  DAILY STOP TIME:  16:00:00

SEVERITY: MINOR

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

Traffic Alert: Interstate 10 lane closures near Ina Road set for Oct. 8

Motorists on Interstate 10 near Ina Road should expect overnight lane closures for sign structure installations and road maintenance on Monday, Oct. 8.

Alternating lane closures are scheduled between 8 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9.

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.

Forbes honors Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

 The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain has set a new standard for desert luxury in the United States, having been named today to the Forbes Travel Guide 2018 Verified Lists of the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels and World’s Most Luxurious Spas.

Announcement of the coveted dual ranking notes that only eight properties in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, have earned a Verified List position in both the hotel and spa categories -- with just three in the U.S. achieving this recognition for both hotel and spa. Two of the dual U.S. winners are located on the east coast, while The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain claims the only western-based double ranking.

Forbes’ “Most Luxurious Hotels” list
Forbes’ “Most Luxurious Spas” list

Forbes Travel Guide’s new Verified Lists are compiled from data gathered by the company’s incognito inspectors, who stay at the properties and evaluate them on up to 900 rigorous objective standards used to determine the guide’s annual Star Ratings, which were most recently announced in February 2018. The new Most Luxurious winners are the top 2018 performers in the specific standards that reflect detailed attention to the list’s level of sumptuous comfort, as well as luxurious choices and conveniences afforded to guests. 

Fifty-eight hotels in 17 countries have earned the new Forbes Verified List designation, representing the top six percent of 1,017 Star Rated hotels in performance on standards related to luxury. Just 30 spas in six countries have won the award, out of 269 Star Rated spas worldwide.

“This dual Forbes honor for our hotel and spa acknowledges a stellar team effort, and we are thrilled to be included,” said Liam Doyle, Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “Our newly-unveiled resort transformation should further elevate the Forbes Five Star experience, helping to raise the bar on authentic desert luxury in the United States. We are excited to share this stunning new resort experience with guests.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain property transformation was unveiled this fall and includes a floor-to-ceiling makeover of its 253 guest rooms and 44,000 square-feet of meeting space, all inspired by the resort’s highly evocative Sonoran Desert sense of place.

Marana named one of state's safest driving cities

Town of Marana has been named one of the Top-10 Safest Driving Cities in Arizona by quotewizard.com. Marana was ranked 9th in the state, the highest rated city in Pima County.

Arizona is rated as the 11th safest driving state in the nation. 

The website compiled over 40,000 data points from QuoteWizard users in Arizona on speeding tickets, accidents, DUIs, and other citations in the last year. They then calculated the rate of incidents across each city. Cities with the lowest rate were ranked safest.

“Marana is a town of about 43,000 residents north of Tucson,” noted quotewizard.com in their release. “The town has two neighboring national parks and I-10 running through its center. I-10 is often used as a commuter route for people traveling between Phoenix and Tucson. Luckily, with that heavy use, Marana is improving both the I-10 and Ina Road, which will ease the intersection’s flow of traffic.”

The Town of Marana and the Marana Police Department have a specific strategy to help create safer drivers.

“Our focus at the Marana Police Department is driver education,” said Marana Police Department Public Information Officer Chriswell Scott. “Though the number of traffic stops in recent years has increased, the number of citations issued has deceased. Every traffic stop is an opportunity for our officers to engage the community and encourage safe driving habits through voluntary compliance with traffic laws. The Town of Marana developed the FOCUS safety campaign to educate our residents on the dangers of distracted driving. Thus far, the campaign seems to have had a positive impact on our community.”  

Kingman was rated as the safest driving city in Arizona. Sahuarita was the only other Pima County municipality to crack the top-10, finishing 10th.

Quotewizard.com is a website that specializes in the insurance industry, with an emphasis on letting consumers compare insurance companies’ rates and policies.

Read the full story. 

Marana Gastronomy Tours Season 2

 Discover Marana, the tourism and marketing program of the Town of Marana, is pleased to announce the second year of its gastronomy tour program. “The Marana Gastronomy Tour” and “A Taste of the Wild: The Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour” explore different aspects of ancient foodways at archaeology sites and wild food flavors through tastings. Featuring ancient foodways experts, archaeologists, master foragers, master brewers, and a Master of French cuisine (Maître Cuisinier de France). 

 “A Taste of the Wild” tours include tastings of Bean Tree Farm prepared wild foods and Catalina Brewing Company and Button Brew House craft beer made with wild foods, and a wild foods walkabout with experts Carolyn Niethammer and Martha Burgess.

“The Marana Gastronomy Tour” includes guided walks at two archaeology sites by Dr. Suzy Fish (later in the season) and Allen Denoyer of Archaeology Southwest, tastings at Catalina Brewing Company, and a small plates tasting at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. The tours are limited to 12-13 people. 

Reservations with Gray Line Arizona are $99 (“A Taste of the Wild”) and $109 (“Marana Gastronomy Tour”) per person. 

“The UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation was given to Tucson because the areas surrounding the Santa Cruz River have the earliest agriculture found in the United States,” said Laura Cortelyou, Tourism and Marketing Manager for the Town of Marana. “These are the only tours where you can experience these ancient cultures at ancient archaeology sites and taste ancient flavors in craft beer and classical French fusion cuisine.” 

Marana is home to wild foods educators, chefs, and craft brewers that responsibly harvest from the 450 edible plants in the Sonoran Desert; as well as farm-to-table restaurant suppliers, BKW Farms that grows White Sonora wheat used in local craft beer and artisanal baking by Barrio Bread, and a number of beekeepers that produce mesquite and wildflower honey. 

According to Jonathan Mabry, Ph.D., President of the Tucson City of Gastronomy nonprofit organization, “The Marana Gastronomy Tour program brings to life this region’s unique ancient history, foodways, and flavors. These are reasons for its 2016 UNESCO Creative City designation, as well as the area’s many food and beverage festivals, food economy, access to biodiverse foods, and more. Sonoran Desert foods have drawn and sustained peoples here continually for more than 10,000 years, creating a culturally layered cuisine.” 

Gray Line Tours Tucson is the tour provider and a third-generation family-owned business that has provided premier tours in, and from, Tucson for more than 100 years. 

“The Marana Gastronomy Tour” and “A Taste of the Wild: The Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour” are both approved by UNESCO Creative Cities Network member, Tucson City of Gastronomy, the first City of Gastronomy in the U.S.

Scheduled Tour Dates Marana Gastronomy Tour: Thursdays; October 11, November 8, January 24, February 21, and March 21; 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm A Taste of the Wild: The Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour: Sundays; October 21, November 18, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7; 9:30 am – 1:30 pm.

Marana Gastronomy Tour Reservations 

For tour reservations visit www.GrayLineArizona.com . 

For tour information visit www.TownOfGastronomy.org . 

Things to do in Marana in October and Beyond

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On The Horizon

Nov 17 - El Tour de Tucson 28-Mile Marana Segment
Dec 1 - Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec 8 - Dispose-A-Med
Dec 15 - Electronic Recycling Event

Traffic Alert: New traffic signal on Arizona Pavilions

Google Streetview

Pace Electrical will begin construction on a new traffic signal at the 4-Way stop south of Cortaro Road. Work crews will be active Monday thru Friday, beginning October 1, 2018 work will begin at 7:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. and is expected to be approximately 46 days; expect delays as you move through this area.

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.