Councilman lobbies on interchange, housing

The Arizona Daily Star, November 13, 2003
by Scott Simonson

Marana hopes a recent visit to Washington, D.C., by Councilman Tim Escobedo results in federal money for a new Interstate 10 interchange and more affordable-housing programs in the town.

Escobedo visited the capital last month for meetings with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which works on laws that benefit the nation's Hispanics.

The councilman said he also met with lawmakers and others about some of Marana's plans, including the I-10 interchange and new housing programs.

Escobedo said he met with three of Arizona's U.S. representatives, Ral Grijalva, Jim Kolbe and Ed Pastor, about acquiring federal funds to help pay for an interchange.

The interchange would be at Twin Peaks Road and Linda Vista Boulevard, about halfway between the Cortaro Road and Avra Valley Road exits.

Marana planners envision the interchange as the shortest route to the freeway for many residents of Continental Ranch and Continental Reserve, as well as a new connection for those living east of I-10.

The project, tentatively planned to open in 2008, would cost $57 million.

No federal funds are currently budgeted for the project. The town plans to pay about 70 percent of the cost with money from its construction sales tax. The state would pay the rest.

Response to the interchange plan has been supportive, Escobedo said.

"Everybody I've spoken to on Twin Peaks, not only in Washington but in our area, I have not received anything negative," he said.

Escobedo also met with representatives of the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae, about a town effort to increase affordable housing.

The town is trying to help create a local Community Housing Development Organization.

Such organizations are non-profit, Escobedo said, and could help Marana create more apartments for low-income residents and housing for older people.

"It gives us an opportunity to go after additional grants and provide a wider range of affordable housing," he said.

 

Copyright The Arizona Daily Star Nov. 13, 2003
Contact reporter Scott Simonson at 434-4079 or at simonson@azstarnet.com.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission

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