Editor’s Insight: Planning Helps Smooth a Bumpy Road for Infrastructure
We use the term “infrastructure” broadly in this issue of Trend Report to include a new grocery store and important changes to our local educational institutions. Pima County faces significant infrastructure challenges that require attention and funding; just like everywhere in the United States, we have an aging infrastructure. The tricky part is balancing needs and resources with fiscal management. In the shadows of Tucson’s sunbaked streets, a tale unfolds—of progress and prosperity struggling against aging and neglected streets.
The road ahead for Tucson is not just about fixing potholes or balancing budgets. It’s about reimagining infrastructure needs and creating an economy that works for everyone. That involves planning and working on problems regionally, and our contributors show us how it’s done!
Growth of water, energy, and road planning are discussed, and we thank everyone who was willing to contribute to a better understanding of the needs while focusing on actions being taken.
We thank Lea Márquez Peterson for her insight as an Arizona Corporation Commissioner, on the statewide work being done as she explains in Arizona Corporation Commission: Infrastructure Balancing Growth and Energy. And how each utility provider in the state prepares for Arizona’s growth.
In Pima County Partners with Community to Plan for Growth, Paul Casertano and Jaime Rivers walk us through a brief review of Pima County’s Comprehensive Plan, worked on by every department to analyze where growth will occur and assess the impacts on our infrastructure, from sewer expansion to transportation that go hand in hand. 36% of Pima County residents live in unincorporated areas, making it equivalent to the fourth largest city in Arizona, right after Mesa and before Chandler.
Michael Sheehan joins us in Growth in Energy Demand Expected to Accelerate and gives an excellent overview of how TEP is aware of the expected growth and is preparing to meet those needs while maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient grid.
Mentioning growth, a new Fry’s store at Gladden Farms may not be thought of as an infrastructure project, but living without a grocery store nearby for years takes on a whole new importance, a fact I didn’t want to be missed in the Long-awaited Fry’s Store Opens at Gladden Farms for its impact to the region.
Diahn Swartz presents a summary of the Marana Transportation Master Plan in Transportation Plan Puts Marana In The Driver’s Seat and we thank her for this important plan to bring road enhancements to Marana.
Will White discusses the challenges our region faces in Large Regional Infrastructure—Tucson’s Biggest Challenge as developers hold back an estimated 20,000 SFR lots and 4,000 multifamily units.
What would our region be like without the University of Arizona and Pima Community College? This issue wouldn’t be complete without welcoming the new UA President, Dr. Suresh Garimella and the new Pima Community College Chancellor, Dr. Jeffrey Nasse. Both started their new positions this month.
Research on Renewables is presented in Wilmot Energy Centers I & II Providing Renewable Energy Infrastructure for Tucson by Michael Rossmann, our senior researcher who took a deep dive into this critical topic.
We end the issue with the current ADOT Projects within Pima County.
A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this Trend Report issue!
As always, we are grateful for the Trend Report team: Patti van Leer, Michael Rossmann, Melissa Vucijevic, and Jack Paddock.
Work has already begun on our next “Property Anniversary” end-of-year December issue with a comprehensive construction update included. You won’t want to miss it!
As always, we appreciate your feedback and welcome your comments. Come tell us “Hi” at https//trendreportaz.com under the “Connect” tab.
Stay Sharp with Actionable Insights!
Karen Schutte, Managing Editor