Three members of the Oro Valley Town Council suggested that the town keep the Pusch Ridge Course open year round. This is the course they closed last year and are planning to operate from next November through April, 2022. This is course is being reopened because a handful of residents who live around it can have a green grass view, instead of desert... like the rest of us. This is a course that is going to use drinking water at cheapest rates at a time when the Western US is in the twenty-first year of drought. This is a course that has always been a money loser.
The brilliant idea came from Council Member Solomon. Then it was echoed by Council Member Greene (Solomon's bagman). But wait. Council Member Josh Nicolson also joined in. He also thinks it's a good idea. Give us a break, boys!
Lest we remind council: You represent all the people of Oro Valley. You are not members of the board of the local country club.
Historic Preservation Commission Seeking Applicants
The Oro Valley Historic Preservation Commission, a town volunteer board, is seeking applicants. You can learn more and apply here. We've joined in on some of their meetings. They primarily focus on what is happening at Steam Pump Ranch.
Oro Valley's single family home growth highest in 18 years
In 2020, Oro Valley experienced its most active year for new single family residences since 2003. The town issued 384 new single family residence permits in 2020. That is a 43% increase over 2019.
Town Manager Jacobs: Town still lacks tools to attract businesses
Town Manager Mary Jacobs continues to beat the drum of economic development. One of the documents she provided council at last weeks strategic plan council retreat said that Oro Valley needs more shovel-ready sites and competitively priced land in order for the town to get more primary employers. "There are approximately 188 acres of Campus Park-zoned land available in Oro Valley, and only half of the sites are over 10 acres." Seems to us that that's plenty of available sites that no one wants. Oro Valley is essentially a retirement community. See the panel at right for the 2019 stats.
Sounds to us like the "shades of JJ Johnston." He was Oro Valley's last economic development director. He blew into Oro Valley three years ago. Worked here for two. Then he retired. He left us with the potential of bladed desert and an eased building permit process. But he did not leave us with more jobs gained.
Town Manager Jacobs: Town will be 'hard hit' by baby boomer generation retirement
At the same retreat a Jacobs' document stated: "With the Town's average age of 53, Oro Valley will be particularly hard hit by the retiring of the baby boomer generation in the coming decade. And as a desirable place to retire, it is not unexpected that many of those will remain in their homes rather than relocate." We have no idea what she is saying in this paragraph.
Here is our cut. Oro Valley is already seeing major growth as baby boomers are retiring. They will flock her for the next 15 years. That will have major implications for economic development. They will not want jobs.
---
