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State of the Town 2017: Celebrating 40 Years

On Friday afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain the Town of Marana celebrated forty years of incorporation at the annual State of the Town. This event, hosted by the Marana Chamber of Commerce, brings together stakeholders from across the community to share in the accomplishments of Marana.

Below, enjoy a video of the State of the Town address, as well as a link to a written text of the speech.

Cortaro Bridge on Cortaro Rd at the Santa Cruz River

The Cortaro Bridge on Cortaro Road at the Santa Cruz River is part of the Town of Marana Bridge Painting Project.  Painting of the bridge will began Monday, April 10 through Friday, May 5, 2017.  Work will be done on east- and west-bound outside lanes, and one sidewalk will be closed at a time. This work should not affect travel lanes.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

For more information, please contact Town of Marana Public Works Office at (520) 382-2505.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

Marana Water News: Major Water Projects in 2017

The year 2017 is looking to be full of activity for Marana Water. In recognition of all our great customers, and our new ones that are coming every day, we are excited to share with you a few of the tremendous investments and actions in which your water department is engaged.

As we continue to develop from a small community of several distinct water systems and into a large municipal water and wastewater provider, it will be all about the infrastructure. In order to accomplish this, we have a number of ongoing projects. 

The San Lucas interconnect is the replacement of an aged 6-inch pipeline that is currently under I-10 between the San Lucas, Marana Estates, and Adonis neighborhoods and the rest of the water system on the westside of I-10. We are replacing this water main with a 16-inch pipeline.  That increases the carrying capacity by seven times! Once completed, the north Marana system and the San Lucas area water systems will be able to efficiently move water back and forth as one integrated system. This helps ensure reliability and redundancy for all our customers in the area.

Similar reliability and redundancy projects are also occurring in the southern Marana Water systems.  If you drive north on Twin Peaks road, near Blue Bonnet road, a brand new, one-million-gallon steel reservoir will be rising. Most of this reservoir is being funded and constructed by Vintage Partners, the developer of the Marana Center mall complex as part of their development agreement. The other portion will be funded by the water department.  This reservoir will provide not only the mall area, but all customers in the area with much needed gravity storage to keep pressure in the water system during times of power loss. In addition, this reservoir will move the department ‘further up the hill’ towards the Dove Mountain area. There are great projects scheduled for construction along Twin Peaks Road and this reservoir will allow the water to be there.

The largest project that the department is engaged in this year is the expansion of the Marana Water Reclamation Facility near Luckett Road. The current wastewater plant that was acquired with the settlement with Pima County is nearing its capacity.  The new facility under construction will be able to treat and purify up to 1.5 million gallons of wastewater per day.  Our current rate is around 400,000 gallons per day. In conjunction with this facility upgrade is the development of the Marana Water Groundwater Recharge Facility. This facility is necessary for all water customers because it will take the purified wastewater from the treatment plant next door and allow the clean water to infiltrate back into the aquifer for much needed water resource credits. The recharge facility is designed to eventually be a multi-purpose recreational area operated jointly with the Parks and Recreation Department. The town is planning to make this feature open to the public for wildlife viewing and passive enjoyment with walking paths and scenic viewing areas of the surrounding lands.

These are only a few of the ongoing projects that we have this year. Behind all of these projects is a dedicated staff who are committed to providing excellent service across the community. The projects and decisions we are making today are in support of our total water and water reclamation plans for the future. Our objective in all our efforts is to integrate Marana Water’s activities to provide the best possible customer experience for Marana residents. Supporting the needs of customers today and tomorrow is always in our mission.


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Marana Splash Pad Opens this Saturday with Live Alligators!

April Fool’s!  Okay, there won’t actually be live alligators, but there will be lots of refreshing fun in the sun at the Marana Splash Pad. Pack your swimsuit and your rubber ducky, because it’s time to splish splash in Marana.

Two years ago, Marana opened the heritage-themed Splash Pad at Gladden Farms Community Park. Beneath the expansive shadows cast by two large shade sails, kids can frolic through gushing, alligator-free streams of refreshing water all summer long. Colorful tractors, a soaring windmill, and a menagerie of farm animals are sure to delight the young and young-at-heart who visit this joyful oasis.

Visitors to the Marana Splash Pad are encouraged to plan for a fun and safe outing. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, drinking water, and waterproof shoes. While the splash pad itself offers a soft, squishy pavement that’s cooled by the flowing waters, the surrounding cement can become quite hot under the summer sun. This is also a great opportunity to break out one of your favorite sun hats as both extra sun protection and a stylish accent to your swimwear. And of course, don’t forget to pack your alligator repellant.

 

 

 

 

 

US Flight Expo to be held at Marana Regional Airport

The US Flight Expo, held at Marana Regional Airport, is a first of its kind fly-in expo and tradeshow in the Southwest United States. Held May 3-6, 2017, the Expo will feature an indoor and outdoor tradeshow venue for venders to showcase and sell aviation and avionics equipment and services. Featuring fly-bys, seminars, contests, static displays and educational opportunities, the US Flight Expo offers something for everyone who has an eye for flight.

While Marana is excited to have this event at our airport, this is not an official Town event. For all inquiries related to this event, please visit www.usflightexpo.com

Images of Future Ina Road Overpass Depict Modern Interchange

In the midst of extensive construction, it's hard to imagine that someday, the dust will settle at Ina Road. However, this project has a bright future ahead. In the meantime, it can be encouraging to check out artistic renderings of what this project will eventually look like.

Artistic Renderings Courtesy of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The Ina Road overpass will carry traffic above both I-10 and the railroad tracks, eliminating long wait times due to passing trains.

A wide sidewalk will allow pedestrians to easily cross from one side of I-10 to the other.

The new construction will include artistic elements that evoke the themes of Southwestern art and architecture.

Police Activity at Texas Roadhouse in Marana

When a waiter with handcuffs and a badge delivers your Cactus Blossom on Wednesday, April 5, don’t worry.  You’re not about to be arrested, and this isn’t some elaborate April Fools’ prank.  This is the annual Tip-a-Cop event, in which Marana police officers work side by side with the wait staff at Texas Roadhouse.  From 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., diners at the Texas Roadhouse in Marana, located at 8450 N. Cracker Barrel Rd, can enjoy watching Marana’s finest take drink orders and serve up tasty dishes.  As always, be sure to designate a sober driver.  The police will be out in force at this location.

Marana PD Sergeant Will Hess is organizing this year’s event, and he couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to engage with the public.  “This is a great chance for the public to interact with local law enforcement officers,” says Sgt. Hess. “At the restaurant, patrons can meet officers in a setting of their own choosing.  This environment is conducive to forming strong relationships with the community.”

In addition to facilitating community connections, this evening will also benefit Southern Arizona participants in the Special Olympics.  The proceeds from this event will provide Special Olympians with “the opportunity to participate in activities that we often taken for granted,” says Hess.  “Special Olympians will bowl, run, and swim, but more importantly, they learn teamwork, trust, and perseverance.” 

Many of Marana’s Special Olympians are able to participate through a program at Marana High School.  The 2017 State Summer Games will take place in Glendale, and the athletes from this program will travel up to this region for the festivities.  The dollars raised from the Tip-a-Cop event will help cover their expenses.  Prior to the State Summer Games, law enforcement officers from across the state, including some from Marana, will accompany Special Olympics athletes as they complete the Torch Run that opens the annual games. 

“This event demonstrates so much about the Marana Police Department and our community as a whole,” concludes Hess. “We all love supporting these kids, and we also love letting the community see another side of us.  This event lets us do all that, and we always have a great time.”

Sergeant Hess, Chief Terry Rozema, and everyone in the Marana Police Department hope you will join them for this fun-filled evening.  And of course, don’t forget to leave a generous tip.

April 8 Service will Honor Victims of Nighthawk Crash

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On Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am at the Marana Regional Airport, the Marine Corps League Nighthawk 72 will host the 17th Anniversary Memorial Service.

A devastating tragedy occurred on the night of April 8, 2000, when an Air Force training mission went awry and an Osprey aircraft crashed at the Marana Regional Airport killing all 19 Marines on board.  The investigation into the accident took over a year, but finally the survivors were able to have some closure during a memorial service near the site of the crash.

The Town Council and staff came together to erect a flagpole flying the U.S. flag, the Arizona State Flag, and the Marine Corps flag at the memorial site along with a plaque with the names and ranks of each serviceman. Many federal, state and local officials were on hand to honor these brave men.  A memorial service has been held each year since then, and the local Marine Corps league, named Nighthawk 72 in honor of the fallen aircraft, have added memorial artifacts over the years dedicated to keeping the memory of the event alive, never to be forgotten by the families and friends.

Plans are being made to expand the site to include a memorial garden as well as an area to recognize the service of all military men and women who served to keep our country free.  It is hoped that by 2019, the families and friends and local residents who have adopted this memorial as their own will be able to hold their service under a new flagpole and among the shade trees of the new gardens.

Marana to Create Animal Services Division

On March 14, the Marana Town Council voted to begin the process of providing animal care and enforcement. As part of this new program, the Town will contract with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona to provide sheltering service, while the Town itself will hire two new animal control officers who will respond to resident calls. By adopting this new framework, the Town hopes to ensure the highest quality of support for all Marana residents.

The Town has decided to pursue this strategy after nearly a year of staff research, including site visits to nearby jurisdictions, interviews with support agencies like the Humane Society, and budget analyses of projected costs. This approach will allow Marana to provide a direct customer response to residents who request animal services. By adopting this model, the Town will be better able to achieve our community-wide vision of excellence. In the long term, Marana’s enforcement efforts will result in more animals returned quickly to their homes and fewer stray animals in need of rescue.

“Our top priority is to be responsive to resident requests,” says Town Manager Gilbert Davidson. “By managing our own animal control officers, the Town will be able to tailor animal care to the needs of our community. We will be able to respond promptly to all calls and meet the high expectations our residents have for their government.”

In addition to hiring two animal control officers and providing shelter services through the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, the Town also plans to partner with local veterinarians to provide emergency care for animals picked up by Town officers. Lisa Shafer, Marana’s director of community development and neighborhood services, will oversee the implementation and operation of this new program.

“One thing we want to emphasize is that from the public perspective, the list of services which residents currently enjoy will not change,” explains Shafer. “They will still be able to adopt pets, drop off strays, license their dogs, and so forth. The only difference is that now the Town will be able to enhance those offerings for everyone involved.”

Marana is already considering several potential enhancements which Town staff will continue to research and evaluate. For example, Marana’s Technology Services department will develop a mobile app for pet owners that will enhance the customer service experience. With projects like the MyMarana app, the Marana Events app, and the Project Ina app, the Town has demonstrated a success record in developing this type of tool.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity which this program affords,” says Shafer. “We feel very strongly that every animal in Marana deserves to be treated with care and compassion. This new program will help us achieve that vision.”

Marana Municipal Court will hold warrant resolution court on Saturday April 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pima Consolidated Court

The Marana Municipal Court will participate in a warrant resolution court at the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, located at 240 N. Stone Avenue on April 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

At this event, judges from all Tucson area courts will be available to assist people with the resolution of outstanding warrants and other pending court matters.

Many of the outstanding warrants issued by these courts are for failure to appear in court on prior charges or for non-compliance with court sentencing orders.  Outstanding warrants often result in the suspension of a person’s driver’s license, and possible incarceration. Warrant Resolution Court will be an opportunity to quash these warrants and have driver’s licenses reinstated by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicles Division.

Assistance setting up payment plans or re-establishing a payment plan already in place will also be available. 

Past events have been attended by more than 3,775 persons where 729 warrants have been quashed and 545 driver’s license suspensions have been lifted.   

Although walk-ins are welcome, those with outstanding warrants are strongly encouraged to call the court in advance to ensure prompt resolution.  Individuals with warrants or driver’s license suspension issued from Marana Municipal Court should call (520) 382-2700.  Individuals with warrants or driver’s license suspensions issued from Pima County Justice Court should call (520) 724-3171. 

Please contact the Marana Municipal Court at court@maranaaz.gov or at (520) 382-2700 for information.

Marana Ranked as one of the Safest Cities in Arizona

Every year, the National Council for Home Safety and Security evaluates cities and towns across the country to determine which communities are safest for residents and visitors. This year, Marana was ranked as one of the safest communities in Arizona. 

In order to create these rankings, the Council examined the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting statistics, population estimates, and their own internal research.

Click here to read the full report.

Float Through Time at Marana’s Founders’ Day

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Marana’s Founders’ Day, on March 25 at Ora Mae Harn Park, is just a few weeks away, and there’s a lot to look forward to at this year’s event. The Town’s partnership with the Marana Heritage Conservancy is sure to make this day a fun celebration for all attendees.

All day long, from the pancake breakfast in the morning to the beer garden in the evening, we’ll be celebrating the community spirit that inspired Marana’s founders to establish this Town forty years ago. Don’t miss this opportunity to watch Marana’s past come alive.

The Marana Community Food Bank, a venerable institution working to eliminate hunger in our region, will start the event with a pancake breakfast. Chow down on a syrupy, flaky stack of goodness, and wash it all down with a glass of orange juice or cup of coffee.

Once you’re fueled up for the day of festivities, claim your spot to watch the Founders’ Day parade. With floats representing Marana’s heritage, as well as the thriving community surrounding us today, this stream of creatively decorated exhibitions is sure to entertain one and all. The theme of this year’s parade is celebrating Marana’s 40th birthday, and each float will represent that heritage in its own unique way.

After the parade, you’ve got a whole afternoon to experience a range of fun activities. There will be live performances from our stage, a beer garden serving up all your favorite brews, and even a car show displaying a wide variety of vehicles, from classic hot rods to powerful hogs.

Throughout the day, you won’t have to worry about going hungry, either. We’ll have 16 food trucks serving up tasty treats, including ice cream, burgers, and even authentic German currywurst.

Founders’ Day is one of Marana’s most popular events every spring. To get in all the action, be sure to mark your calendar for March 25! We can’t wait to see you out there.

Marana Receives Government Financial Officers Award for 2017 Budget

For the 10th consecutive year, Marana has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award. This honor recognizes the Town’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and operational transparency.  

This award represents a significant achievement for the Town of Marana. It reflects the commitment of the Town to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, Marana had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the Town’s budget serves as:

  • A policy document
  • A financial plan
  • An operations guide
  • A communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

For budgets beginning in 2015, 1565 participants received the award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

 

 

Manager Message: Marana Prepares for Growth with Major Infrastructure Projects

Message from Town Manager Gilbert Davidson

The Town of Marana has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years. In order to manage that growth effectively, we are currently committed to a number of key projects that improve our infrastructure and aim to ensure a high quality of life for all Marana residents, including those who don’t even live here yet!

One project which has generated quite of a bit of excitement is the Tangerine Sky Community Park, located along the Tangerine Corridor. This will be the first Town-managed park east of I-10, and as a result is filling a major need in our community. This 10-acre facility will include a dog park, basketball court, playground equipment, and walking paths that showcase the park’s beautiful Sonoran Desert setting. Nearby, the Town is also installing a new art installation that will add a creative element to Tangerine Road. As soon as this project is complete, we hope to see you out there enjoying a day in the park with your family.

Along one side of this new park, Tangerine Road currently connects both Marana and Oro Valley to Interstate 10. As the population of this region has increased, the demands on this road have grown commensurately, and so Marana is currently collaborating with the Regional Transportation Authority, Oro Valley, and Pima County to widen Tangerine Road and to eliminate the dips that are vulnerable to flooding. Phase 1-A of this project, stretching from Dove Mountain to Thornydale, will finish this summer, and will include two lanes in each direction and a landscaped center median. There will also be widened shoulders on both sides of the road, as well as a car-free shared-use path on the north side of Tangerine.

While Tangerine Sky Park becomes a reality in northeast Marana, we are also working on a major improvement in northwest Marana. The Town is working to realign the Marana Road intersection west of I-10. This new alignment will greatly improve the safety of this intersection and allow for improved access to the Downtown Marana district. The Town will add a new roadway that pushes eastbound traffic on Marana road to a roundabout south of the current intersection with Sandario. Eventually, this roadway will continue on the east side of Sandario and curve south to connect with Marana Main Street. The vision for this area is all part of the Downtown Marana plan, and this new roadway is a preliminary step toward achieving that vision.

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One consequence of Marana’s growth is the heightened demand that is placed on the Marana Police Department. Marana’s officers do a tremendous job of policing our community and developing strong relationships with residents. However, their current facilities simply do not provide adequate capacity if they are going to keep providing the same level of service. That’s why the Marana is building a new police headquarters. This summer, we are excited to break ground on this facility, and we expect to complete it by summer 2018. It will include a public community room, holding cells, shooting range, booking areas, and much more. During the design of the facility, Marana’s engineering team interviewed every police employee, including uniformed officers and support staff, to determine how they complete their jobs. This new facility will perfectly complement those processes. When it’s finished, the new Marana PD Headquarters will offer a beautiful and efficient space that will benefit the entire Town.

One final project that we are particularly excited about is the extension of the shared-use path from El Rio Community Park to Avra Valley Road. This project coincides nicely with the closure of the path at Ina, as it provides 1.5 more miles of path to cyclists starting at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. When the Ina section of the path reopens, the new segment will connect with the rest of the Loop system, offering cyclists well over 100 miles of car-free cycling throughout this region.

Infrastructure improvements are critical to Marana’s growth strategy. Our goal is to build Marana’s reputation on the outstanding public service we provide to our residents, and our infrastructure—our streets, parks, and facilities—will help us to cement that status. To learn more about major projects in the Town, visit www.maranaaz.gov/cip, and be sure to keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive real-time updates on all our hard work. 

This Manager Message was originally published in the the February 22 edition of the Marana News.

Family to Occupy Permanent Home In Clearing South of Tangerine Road

When urban planners in Marana’s Development Services department consider new housing permits, they take a variety of considerations into account. How close is the nearest school? How can we ensure that homes are near major thoroughfares without sitting directly on a busy road? What infrastructure needs will the homes require? For a new family about to take up residence in Marana, though, the Town has chosen to ignore all these considerations.

Soon, a father, mother, and their three offspring will settle into an open clearing just south of Tangerine Road, east of Twin Peaks, and north of the soon-to-open Tangerine Sky Community Park. The family have received special permission to occupy so unorthodox a location as an open clearing. Their home will have no utilities. The structure will not be reviewed by a building inspector. In fact, there won’t even be a structure. But for this family of steel deer, Marana’s newest art installation, a patch of dirt under the open sky is all they need.

The idea for these newcomers to Marana started with Trevor O’Tool. Trevor holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts in 3-D and Expanded Media from the University of Arizona. As a welder, chaser, and metal processer, he has constructed bronze sculptures to be incorporated into the work of other artists. He founded a clothing company in Lake Havasu City and exhibited sculptures throughout Tucson. And a few evenings each week, he’s a hooker.

“Basically, my job is to hook the ball back during scrums,” explains Trevor, with a bashful grin. “And whenever the ball goes out of bounds, I throw it back in during line outs.” Trevor has been the hooker for the Tucson Magpies, a recreational rugby club, since he graduated from the UA four years ago.

In fact, it was through rugby that Trevor met Angela Wagner-Gabbard, a resident of Marana and a member of the Marana Citizens’ Forum subcommittee on public art. In 2014, the five-member subcommittee provided guidance to the Town Council on how best to execute the Transportation Art by Youth Grant, a program sponsored by the Pima Association of Governments, which provides resources to incorporate art into transportation projects. The grant enables art-oriented youth organizations to collaborate with professional artists to design projects that help beautify a variety of infrastructure improvements. Angela encouraged Trevor to submit a proposal, and after a lengthy review process, Marana, for the first time ever, hired a hooker.

Marana’s new art installation will be part of the improvements along Tangerine Road between Dove Mountain and Thornydale Roads. In reviewing a variety of proposals, Marana’s grant reviewers, including the subcommittee of the Citizens’ Forum, wanted to see a design that reflected the natural environment of this setting. This arterial road connects northern Marana and Oro Valley with Interstate 10, crossing just south of the Tortolita Mountains. The wildlife that inhabits these mountains includes several species of megafauna which enjoy an elevated status in the popular imagination. Mountain lions prowl these canyons, wild horses lope through the saguaro forest, and mule deer bound up the steep slopes. Lots and lots of mule deer.

Those deer are what Trevor had in mind when he proposed his sculpture. “The solicitation for this project indicated that Marana wanted a design that referenced the Native American history of this site. The Hohokam used to live in the Tortolitas, and when I learned that they associated the deer with ideas like gentleness and innocence, I decided to go in that direction. Right now, Marana is building Tangerine Sky Park nearby, and eventually, there will also be a school in this area. I think the Hohokam symbolism of deer will really fit nicely in this setting.”

When Marana staff and members of the Forum subcommittee saw his design, they couldn’t help but agree. The image of a massive doe and buck, leading a family of three fawns, captured the imagery they had hoped for.  Trevor received overwhelming approval to move forward with his design.

Trevor O'Tool's proposed sketch of deer.

Constructing five oversized deer that can withstand temperature extremes, powerful monsoon rains, and driving winds presented Trevor with a daunting challenge. Fortunately, the very premise of the grant funding his work meant that he did not have to meet that challenge alone. The language of the grant requires that at least 20% of the funding support youth stipends, and the Career and Technical Education program of Marana Unified School District offered the perfect talent pool for completing the project. Marana High School’s welding program prepares students to pursue careers in metal fabrication, and its graduates have gone on to work with companies like Sierra Mining and Crushing, JB Steel, and CAID Industries. Trevor’s design proposed constructing the deer from flat sheets of steel cut into triangles, and so a collaboration with MHS’s welding program was a natural fit. Ken Webb, who runs the welding program, was eager to facilitate this opportunity for his students.

“It’s a cool project to be a part of,” Ken shouted recently over the din of grinders and welders loudly crafting a metallic fawn. “This sculpture is going to be around for years to come, and these kids may eventually take their kids to see this sculpture. It’s really gratifying for all of us to have that experience.”

Randy Chambliss, a recent graduate of Marana High, smooths out a section of the fawn's head.

Since the students first began this project in the summer of 2016, they’ve had to strategize with Ken and Trevor to figure out how exactly to translate an artist’s sketch into a set of towering steel sculptures.

“It’s kind of like building a Lego set, except a grown-up version,” says John Campbell, who started working on this project as a senior and has stayed with the team since he graduated last year. And although welding is most often associated with flying sparks and molten metals, as John and his classmates have learned in the welding program, the first step requires long hours in front of a computer screen. That’s because projects like this one are first designed in SolidWorks, a 3D design software program that creates a digital model of the final design. The students then used the school’s 3D printer to create a physical miniature of the final sculpture.

The deer model (with broken ear) stands in the shadow of its substantially larger facsimile.

Finally, once that model matches the intended specifications, the students must translate those dimensions into their Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Plasma Cam. The CNC Plasma Cam is the industry standard for cutting sheet metal with absolute precision, slicing through the metal with far greater accuracy than is possible with a handheld cutter.

John Campbell checks measurements in the software program that operates the CNC Plasma Cam.

Once the Marana High team had cut out all 295 plates for the first deer, they began the arduous process of assembling them into a sculpture. The first step of that process required tack welding the plates together, a technique that holds the pieces together temporarily.

This stage, John admitted, was more challenging than expected. “Anytime you go from a digital design to a physical design, you’re going to find differences between theory and reality.” In this case, one issue they encountered arose from as small a difference as 1/8 inch.

In SolidWorks, Ken explained, they didn’t account for the width of each plate. That minor discrepancy turned out to create a compounding problem as the plates did not fit as neatly together in the welding shop as they did on the computer screen. Through careful troubleshooting and teamwork between the MHS team and Trevor, the team was able to make the necessary adjustments to fit all the pieces together without having to start over from scratch.

“That’s a really valuable lesson for these kids to learn,” recalled Ken. “This project requires a lot of critical thinking and problem-solving. They’re learning the computer side of programming to make and cut the parts. They’re learning to apply the skills they learned in my classes, and they’re taking them to the next level. They’re not being treated as students anymore, but rather like this is a job and this is their workplace.”

While the students at Marana High School are building the three fawns, Trevor is taking on the buck, the largest member of the family. With shoulders measuring six feet tall and antlers rising to well over twelve feet, this enormous sculpture dwarfs the array of heavy machinery scattered across the University of Arizona studio where he works. Occasionally, Trevor will have to climb onto its back just to do a quick spot weld on its head.

Trevor O'Tool astride the deer and Eric Norman at its feet.

Fortunately, Trevor has help in the workshop. Shop Tech Eric Norman has been heavily involved throughout the project’s construction, and is bringing his own expertise to help ensure a well-crafted final product. With a masters in fine arts from Washington State University and a degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Eric is well acquainted with the challenges and constraints, as well as the benefits, of executing projects like this one.

“I think it’s hugely important for public institutions to prioritize art in the community,” says Eric, sitting in the shadow of the immense buck. “Art is a community need. In the same way that people need smooth roads, they need public art around them.” For Eric, then, it makes sense that the Tangerine Road improvement project is incorporating both of these priorities.

Trevor smooths out one section of the deer with a grinder.

When the family of deer is complete, it will occupy a strip near the southeast corner of Tangerine Road and Camino de Oeste. Nearby, Marana is currently constructing Tangerine Sky Park. While there will be no direct connection between the sculptures and the park, Trevor and the members of the MHS team all look forward to seeing the public physically interact with the deer.

“Kids are going to want to climb all over these, and honestly, I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t,” laughs Trevor. “Of course, parents should be there to make sure they don’t fall, but I believe that art like this is best experienced not just by looking at it, but by touching it, and yes, even playing on it.”

Trevor’s playful demeanor shines through in other projects of his, including a manikin laden head to foot with life jackets cautiously approaching a kiddy pool.

Err on the Side of Caution. 2014. Source: trevorotool.com/works

Trevor has subtly put his sense of humor to work on these deer sculptures, as well. While he isn’t committing to a final name for the piece quite yet, he’s considering the title “Deer in Headlights.” That is, after all, what the deer will be every night, standing beside Tangerine Road.

The final sculpture is anticipated to be completed and installed this summer. Tom Houle, a construction manager for the Town of Marana, is overseeing the Tangerine roadwork and working with the sculpture team to figure out exactly how and where to place the deer.

The location of the sculpture, he explains, is perfect for a number of reasons. “This is an elevated site, so the deer will really stand out, even from a distance. Of course, this is also deer country. We incorporated deer crossings into the Twin Peaks project a few years ago, and Phase 2 of the Tangerine project will also have a deer crossing west of Dove Mountain.” It’s factors like these that get Tom excited to see the final installation in situ.

When Marana hired part-time hooker, full-time artist Trevor O’Tool, the Town made a crucial investment in the community’s infrastructure, albeit in a non-traditional sense. Roads help get families to school, water systems deliver safe drinking water, and roadside art integrates a sense of creativity and fun into the fabric of the community. It’s what inspires us to expect our public spaces to be not just functional, but joyful. And it turns out, it isn’t always hard to conjure up that joy. Sometimes, all it takes is a family of five deer by the side of the road.

 

 

 

 

UPDATE: Ina Road Traffic Interchange reconstruction begins Feb. 15; Orange Grove Road exit shifted to Sunset Road

Ina Road remains open east and west of I-10

The Interstate 10/Ina Road traffic interchange in Marana is scheduled to enter Phase 2 on Wednesday, Feb. 15. During this phase, the westbound I-10 off-ramp at Orange Grove Road will close so that traffic can exit at Sunset Road. Westbound I-10 drivers wishing to exit at Orange Grove Road will use the westbound I-10 Sunset Road exit to the westbound I-10 frontage road to Orange Grove Road.

Ina Road, east and west of I-10, will remain open and ADOT will maintain access to all businesses in the work zone for the duration of the project. The work will occur as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 14

  • The right lane on westbound I-10 at Orange Grove Road will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Feb. 14, for signal maintenance work.
  • The right lane of east- and westbound I-10 between Avra Valley and Sunset roads will be intermittently closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, for overhead sign work.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

  • Ina Road at I-10, including the east- and westbound I-10 on- and off-ramps at Ina Road, will close beginning 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, for approximately 25 months.
  • The westbound I-10 off-ramp at Orange Grove Road will close beginning 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, for approximately 25 months. Drivers will be routed to the westbound I-10 off-ramp at Sunset Road.
  • The westbound I-10 frontage road from the Orange Grove Road on-ramp to Cortaro Road will close beginning 1 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, for approximately 25 months.

Friday, Feb. 17

  • Westbound I-10 between Sunset and Cortaro roads will be narrowed to one lane from 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, for striping.

Saturday, Feb. 18

  • Eastbound I-10 between Twin Peaks and Orange Grove roads will be narrowed to one lane from 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, for striping.

Currently

  • The eastbound I-10 frontage road between Gillette Road and Starcommerce Way is a two-way roadway.
  • Ina Road is narrowed to one lane in each direction between I-10 and Silverbell Road and traffic has been shifted to the north side of the road through fall of 2017. 
  • Massingale Road is closed at the westbound I-10 frontage road through late 2018 while the frontage road is reconstructed. Drivers should use Camino de Oeste instead.
  • The project also includes reconstruction of the Ina Road bridges over the Santa Cruz River. This work has closed the Pima County Loop Trail, south of Ina Road at Ted Walker Road and north of Ina Road at the Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, for approximately two years. Once the bridge project is completed, there will be Loop Trail underpasses on each side of the Santa Cruz River, new bike lanes and sidewalks along Ina Road and ramps to Ina Road that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The interchange reconstruction project will improve traffic flow in the area. The project consists of widening I-10 to accommodate an additional lane in each direction and widening Ina Road from Silverbell Road to Camino de la Cruz. 

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions and closures, but it’s possible that unscheduled impacts might occur because of weather or other factors. For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except while driving.

For more information about this project, please call Paki Rico, ADOT senior community relations officer, at 520.388.4233 or email prico@azdot.gov  or visit the website at http://azdot.gov/inati.

Marana's Judge Sklar to Participate in Warrant Resolution Court

The Marana Municipal Court, Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, Sahuarita City Court, and the South Tucson Municipal Court will be combining their collective resources on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court located at 240 N. Stone Avenue in Tucson to hold another Warrant Resolution Court.  

Present for the event will be Judge Laine Sklar from the Marana Municipal Court, Judges Cornejo, Felix and Roberts from the Pima Consolidated Justice Court, Judge Avilez from the Sahuarita Municipal Court, and Judge Lassen from the South Tucson City Court.  These Judges will be holding court with an emphasis on assisting people with outstanding warrants and in the resolution of outstanding issues that have resulted in suspended driver’s licenses.   

To date, previous events have been attended by more than 2,900 persons where 557 warrants have been quashed, 490 driver’s license suspensions have been lifted, 663 courtroom hearings have been held, and 1,535 individuals obtained information and were assisted by court staff in resolving outstanding issues.    

Many participants have expressed a reluctance to attend court for fear of possible arrest due to an outstanding warrant.  “Since we started last year, no one has been arrested. Everyone with a warrant who was willing to actively work toward resolving their case, had their warrants quashed," said Pima County Consolidated Justice Court Administrator Douglas Kooi.

Many of the outstanding warrants issued by these courts are for failure to appear in court on prior charges or for non-compliance with court sentencing orders. Outstanding warrants result in the suspension of a person’s driver’s license and the Warrant Resolution Court will be an opportunity to quash these warrants, lift suspensions, and have driver’s licenses reinstated by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicles Division.

For those who owe court fees and fines, there will be service windows open to quickly and easily resolve these matters by setting up payment plans or re-establishing a payment plan already in place. 

The Saturday Warrant Resolution Court will be held at the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court located at 240 N. Stone Avenue.   During the event, six courtrooms will be open to resolve these matters.  The Pima County Attorney’s Office and Pima County Office of Court Appointed Counsel will have attorneys available to facilitate the resolution of these outstanding warrants.

Court officials hope the community sees this event as an opportunity for people who work, go to school, or have any other weekday issues to address their warrant status without interruption in their weekday schedule.  Although walk-ins are welcome, those who want to resolve outstanding warrants are encouraged to call the court in advance to ensure prompt resolution.  Individuals with warrants or driver’s license suspensions issued from Pima County Justice Court should call (520) 724-3171. 

Please contact Douglas Kooi at 724-3510 or at dkooi@jp.pima.gov for information.
 

Marana Chamber of Commerce and Town Staff Hit the Pavement to Support Ina Road Businesses

Officer John DeStefano meets Dr. Connie McCollow of Marana Physical Therapy

The businesses along Ina Road are about to experience major changes due to the reconstruction of the Ina/I-10 interchange. The Town of Marana has undertaken a number of efforts to mitigate the consequences of this roadwork, and on Wednesday morning, Town staff partnered with the Marana Chamber of Commerce to embark on a business walk, stopping at every one of the more than 200 businesses along the Ina Road corridor.

Armed with pens and clipboards, this small army of local officials and business owners set out to listen to and record all the concerns of those affected by this construction, and hopefully, to connect those businesses with helpful resources that will help them not only to survive construction, but to thrive through the project’s completion.

Ed Stolmaker, presidents and CEO of the Marana Chamber of Commerce, greeted the business walk participants before they hit the pavement. “We want to let all these businesses know that we’re here to help them with whatever they need."

Each walking team consisted, at a minimum, of a Town staff member and a member of the Marana Chamber. In addition to simply talking with the business owners, these teams also distributed folders full of helpful information. Included in these materials were a brochure about a program working to end retail theft, an informational sheet about how to apply for a special sign code permit, a marketing “table tent” that advertises the Project Ina app that business can post on their front counters, and much more.

The Regional Transportation Authority, which is funding this project, is also excited to offer the MainStreet Business Assistance Program. This program provides consulting services for businesses affected by construction. “We’ve provided services to over 6000 businesses,” explained Jan Aalberts-Waukon, who is helping oversee the Ina Road efforts of the program. “We can help with marketing strategies, financial analysis, social media support, and much more.”

Fully prepared with all their business walk supplies, the walking teams then stepped out into the mild morning sunshine. Javier Avalos, owner of Spectrum Ina Road Auto Collision, enthusiastically approached the door of Copper Creek Cookies, eager to champion these business support programs.

“The MainStreet Business Assistance Program and the Project Ina app are both great opportunities for businesses to get the word out to customers that Ina Road is open,” he explained to Clint Peek, owner of the bakery. Once he’d handed over the packet, though, it was time to listen. “Do you have any concerns or questions about this work?” Javier asked Clint.

“Of course this project presents some serious challenges, but we’re really happy with everything that the Town and the Chamber have done to help out these businesses,” answered Clint.

Town officials and the Marana Chamber know, however, that many businesses owners are feeling anxious about this project. The long-term benefit of this project, however, is clear. The new overpass at Ina Road will greatly improve the safety of this intersection and ease congestion by eliminating the need to stop for trains. In the meantime, the Town of Marana and the Marana Chamber of Commerce are excited to support any businesses in the construction zone.

“The businesses in the Ina Road Corridor are a vital part of Marana’s local economy,” says Stolmaker, “and throughout this project, we want to do everything we can to keep this sector thriving. Ina Road is open for business.”

 

 

 

Marana to Proclaim March 10th St. Baldrick’s Day as Part of Effort to Support Childhood Cancer Research

Every year, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation supports childhood cancer research through a variety of fundraising activities. On Friday, March 10, 5pm-9pm, St. Baldrick’s Northwest Tucson will contribute to these efforts by hosting their annual Shave-Off at Mountain View High School, part of Marana Unified School District. To recognize and build support for this occasion, the Marana Town Council plans to proclaim March 10, 2017 as St. Baldrick’s Day in the Town of Marana.

St. Baldrick’s distinguishes itself from similar organizations with its relentless focus on directing funds to researchers studying childhood cancers. With cancer as the top disease killer of children and young adults in the United States, St. Baldrick’s aims to achieve the bold goal of ending this scourge, a mission which the Town of Marana wholeheartedly supports.

Head shaving events like the one at Mountain View High School on March 10 have become the signature initiative of St. Baldrick’s. Their first Shave Off, intended as a one-time gathering, occurred in New York in 2000. Hoping to raise $17,000 by shaving 17 heads, organizers were energized when they took in over $100,000. Since that auspicious start, St. Baldrick’s has donated over $200 million in grants that support childhood cancer research.

Volunteer Event Organizer Chris Dow is especially eager to see the turnout at the event in March. After hosting a similar event last year at Quail Run Elementary School, he expects to see significant growth at this year’s Shave-Off. “We had a couple of hundred people that came and showed their support. So when people see us around town with our St. Baldrick's shirts on or buttons saying ‘Ask me why I'm bald’ or ‘Bald by Choice,’ we hope to get the conversation going to help raise awareness and raise additional funds.”

Those interested in participating can sign up or donate at https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/gobaldtucson2017. The Town of Marana is proud to support St. Baldrick’s in working to end childhood cancers so that all youth have the opportunity to lead healthy lives and grow up to make our community stronger.