Tonight, in special session, The Oro Valley town Council will likely reach a decision on the rezonings required to revitalize the Oro Valley Marketplace as presented by developer Town West. Last Wednesday, the Council approved two rezoning motions. These motions were approved based on what happens with the “Entertainment District.” This is a feature that will be located in a strip in the middle of the complex. It is currently zoned for natural open space.
The “Entertainment District” is central to the deal
Rezoning the Entertainment District was the third of the four rezoning requests. The developer wants the Town Council to approve what they see as a simple rezoning: Rezoning the property from natural open space to recreational open space.
The Council did not see it as a simple a decision. This is because the developer has told them that everything that they approve could change if the Entertainment District, as the developer has presented, does not come to fruition.
It is critical for developer to get this approval because this will allow the developer to use that land to satisfy the town’s zoning recreational requirements for the apartments that are planned to be built.
Town West seeks a “Public-Private Partnership” for the “Entertainment District”
It is possible that the Entertainment District won’t come into existence as presented because the developer wants the town to invest in it. Town West has proposed a “Public-Private Partnership” under which the town would pay for part of the Entertainment District and also the maintenance of it. Some have estimated that the building cost to the town of the partnership could be up to $10 million. This will be a substantial expenditure, especially given that the town is faced with a massive overrun on the cost of building out Naranja Park.
Millions on the table
At risk, in all of this, is what the developer asserts is a significant major financial impact on the town and the county (panel right).
Thus, getting the Entertainment District “figured out” and “agreed-upon” is very important, because it is the lynchpin of this entire OVVC project.
The partnership would be codified in an economic development agreement. There is no such agreement today. Given the tens of millions that the town is now investing in parks and recreation facilities, there is a question of how much more investment the town should make.
The motion at hand provides certainty for all parties
Knowing all this, Vice Mayor Barrett proposed a motion to move the project forward, but at the same time, to specify exactly what the conditions are for the building of the project. A decision on this motion should be made tonight.
Here is the essence of the motion:
- Requires that a mixed-use facility be built on the Entertainment District; and that that mixed use must include a hotel
- The hotel must receive a certificate of occupancy before apartments in the Village district are occupied
- The Entertainment District must be built before occupancy of any apartments (because the entertainment district is going to be used to satisfy the apartment requirement for recreational space. The same is not required of hotels.)
- The amenities that will be in the Entertainment District will be determined based on a public participation process. The amenities so determined must be approved by Town Council.
The motion also defines specific maximum heights of apartments in the various areas of OVVC.
Essentially, the motion places the Entertainment District at the center of the construction of the revitalized Marketplace. Town West has emphasized the Entertainment District in all presentations to the Town Council. Town West said that the Entertainment District would be the most distinguishing feature of the Oro Valley Village Center and that it would be a draw to bring the community together. Thus, it is an essential part of the future success of OVVC. Barrett, through this motion, wants to make sure it happens.
The special session tonight is 6 PM in the Oro Valley Town Council Chambers.
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