The Oro Valley village center Oro Valley Town Council hearing will continue next Thursday, November 10. This deters a decision on a very detailed motion that was presented by Vice Mayor Barrett that would require the owners of the property to meet specific guidelines in order to build a hotels and apartments that they propose at the former Oro Valley Marketplace . Specifically, the motion ties to a possible town partnership with the developer to create an “Entertainment Center”. We reported about this hearing Wednesday.
Chamber has new CEO
Kristen Sharp is now the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. She has been serving as the Chamber’s events director since June 2019. “Previous to her employment with the Chamber, Kristen taught at St. Mark’s Early Childhood Center and managed stores in Tucson for Bose and Hollister.
Kristen is an avid reader, enjoys playing her piano and guitar and loves spending time with her husband and daughter.” (Source of quote).
Whatever happened to the Bed Tax Fund?
Once upon a time, and we’re not talking too long ago, the Town of Oro Valley had a separate fund for hotel tax revenues. It was called the “Bed Tax Fund.” The town’s former Town Manager, Mary Jacobs, decided that we didn’t need that fund and so the bed tax monies are now folded into the General Fund. The reason there was a separate bed tax fund was because half of those revenues are supposed to be dedicated to the development of the town’s park system. As one of our readers wrote: “No wonder the General Fund is doing so well. Part of it is smoke and mirrors.“ In fiscal year 2021, the bed tax revenues were $1.5 million. In fiscal year 2022, these revenues are $3.4 million.
Be careful out there… the roads can be dangerous
The fatal accidents that happened at Oracle and Magee Monday night reminded us how important it is to be careful on our roadways. It was tragic and it happened at one of the town’s busiest intersections. We asked Paul Keesler, the town’s public works director, what we can do to protect ourselves. His advice: “The intersection is presently under construction.
My advice to your readers is approach the intersection with caution and slightly reduce their speed.
With the distractions that a construction zone causes, one should be on heightened alert to look for other drivers who could be distracted.
In other words, assume they may not have seen you and read their movements, particularly if it appears they may unintentionally move in front of you.”
Participate in the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve Master Planning Process
“The Town of Oro Valley invites the community to participate in the master planning process for the Vistoso Trails Nature Preserve (formerly known as the Vistoso Golf Course). Input received from the community will be used to develop the Master Plan, which will be the framework for future site improvements, land-use management and visitor experience. The effort is being led by Sites Southwest, a landscape architecture and planning firm.
A project kick-off meeting with Town staff and Sites Southwest was held in September to plan community engagement opportunities and develop a project timeline.Participation, dates:
