University of Arizona Trying to Preserve Integrity of Area Surrounding Bioscience Park

Which do you want: a bioscience park, industrial park, of Wal-Mart type big box development? That is a question facing Tucson and UA officials.

For more than a year, commercial and residential developers have worked with the University of Arizona and area residents to create a 350-acre mixed-use project that they say will draw world-class biotechnology companies to Tucson.

But if a variance, or waiver, to the big-box ordinance isn't granted, the commercial developer for the project at 36th Street and Kino Parkway will sell the land for industrial use.

That would mean neighborhood residents who want to see less crime and more shopping will end up with a truck stop in the place of a planned multiplex theater, according to developers.

Read more here.

PS: My firm just started work on a regional economic strategy for the Tucson region with KMK Consulting of Cincinnati. I expect we will hear a lot more on this issue.