Marana envisions transport 'gold mine'

A controversial planned rail yard that Picacho residents saw as an eyesore is being eyed by Marana politicians as a thing of economic-development beauty. "We think it's an absolute gold mine, for not only Marana but for southern Pinal County and northern Pima County, as a job creator," said Marana Mayor Ed Honea. Union Pacific has been trying since 2006 to buy state-owned farmland along Interstate 10 three miles east of Picacho Peak in Red Rock, but has faced strong opposition from area residents, farmers and businesses in the area and those concerned about its impact on Picacho Peak and the surrounding state park. The Marana Town Council passed a resolution this month to support the development. Marana is especially interested in the rail yard's connections to the Pinal Airpark, said Town Manager Gilbert Davidson. The town plans to annex the airpark, which is owned by Pinal County, according to the town's strategic plan. Marana already is annexing some land between the town limits and the airpark, Honea said. While the resolution of support didn't seek to relocate the proposed rail-yard site down to Marana, Honea said there are long-term plans to continue annexing northward up Interstate 10, potentially putting the rail yard into the town. The 250-acre rail yard would be just 10 miles from the 2,080-acre

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