Council Advances New Retail Center

A vote was taken at last night’s Tucson City Council meeting regarding the future of a proposed retail development at the corner of Houghton Rd. and E. 22nd St.  The $30 million retail center will be anchored by a Fry’s supermarket and will include a number of small business storefronts.  The vote was about allowing a six-foot variance in the height of the architecture.  This move is a pre-requisite to further discussions regarding a rezoning request and ultimate approval of overall design and planning of the center.

At stake are 160 net new jobs, an estimated $3.5 million in additional sales tax revenue and increased shopping convenience for area residents.  The parcel is offered for sale by a religious organization and is outside of a designated buffer zone surrounding Saguaro National Park East.  Going forward the developers must meet City of Tucson development protocols and will continue discussions with neighbors in the area.

Opponents of the development cited the possibility of increased traffic, proximity to the national park and several other factors.

The Tucson Metro Chamber supported the variance and urges all sides to pursue middle ground for this job-creating development.

The final vote was 6-1 as follows: