Council OKs million-square-foot retail plan
Explorer, August 15, 2007
by Eric Beidel
The Marana Town Council last week unanimously approved a plan that could bring more than a million square feet of retail shops to the town.
The Marana Spectrum Specific Plan covers about 170 acres at the southeast corner of Linda Vista Boulevard and Interstate 10.
The property is just south of the Cascada project, which will bring more than 3,500 homes to Marana.
The Barclay Group will develop the “power center,” which would include a mix of national, regional and lesser-known retailers. The Scottsdale-based developer also proposes to throw a movie theater into the mix.
“They’ve done a great job,” Councilwoman Roxanne Ziegler said. “Marana Spectrum is something that I’m looking forward to. It’s a little different than a mall.”
There has been some debate over conservation efforts on the property. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection believes that there are significant areas worth saving from development. The town disagrees.
Town Manager Mike Reuwsaat recommended the council approve the plan, adding that any mitigation issues can be dealt with in an agreement between the Barclay Group and the town.
“This is bigger than the Foothills Mall,” Reuwsaat said. “In the long term, it will bring a lot of benefits to the town.”
Reuwsaat said he would go out on the project site with CSDP Executive Director Carolyn Campbell to look at certain parcels conservationists want to keep open.
Campbell said her organization could not support the project until officials resolve these open-space issues.
The Barclay Group has developed more than 100 shopping centers in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. None comes close to the proposed size of Marana Spectrum.
The project is so big it will almost require its own Main Street, which it will have. The developer might include opportunities for residential spaces above shops along the street.
The plan also allows for a motel or multi-story hotel.
With the sheer size of the plan comes the need for a 24-hour police outpost, Councilman Russell Clanagan said.
The developer in turn has agreed to provide such a facility.
The town also will require the Barclay Group to help fund road improvements, including a new interstate interchange at Twin Peaks Road. The interchange will undergo construction throughout 2008 and 2009, officials said.
Marana Spectrum is just one of many commercial developments in the works for Marana. Phoenix-based developer Westcor has submitted plans for a regional shopping center and auto mall near Tangerine Road and I-10.
The 295-acre project could have stores open in 2009.
Marana Spectrum anticipates openings in 2010, according to the developer’s Web site.
Marana Spectrum
Who: Scottsdale-based Barclay Group.
What: 1.3 million square-foot retail development on 170 acresto include shops, hotel, movie theater and Main Street living opportunities.
Where: I-10 and Camino de Manana/Linda Vista Boulevard.
When: Stores could be open in 2010.
Why: More than 40,000 homes planned for Marana and areas surrounding the proposed “power center.”
