initiatives,” expands Executive Director, Manuel Guzman V. “We also needed to be aggressive about telling our story and attracting outside investments. We vigorously advocate for the community wherever we can. When we say Rebuild Superior, this is not just a physical building, although that’s part of it. It’s quality of life that’s mission critical for us.” NEW DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES Superior is also making strides in industrial and commercial development, marked by a land exchange with the federal government. Town Manager, Todd Pryor explains, “It includes a new industrial and commercial highway frontage site, and an airport. That’s about 546 acres, and it’s probably the largest land transaction in the town’s last 50 years.This is a significant increase in the available buildable space for employers and jobs in our town.” The development of the existing airport is important to these future growth plans.“It was transferred to us from Pinal County about 20 years ago, and it had a reversion right that limited development on it. Now, we are purchasing the reversion outright, which will allow us to subdivide and lease or sell sections for business and industrial use as well as for airport contiguous use,” Pryor recounts. A FOCUS ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY The pandemic highlighted Superior’s unique appeal as a great place to live, especially for remote workers. Mayor Besich says this increase in attention has strained the existing housing stock, creating a need for more diverse options, from RV parks for transient workers in the mining industry to apartments and patio homes for younger residents. The acquisition of the 546 acres includes residential development, and plans are underway to ensure that this meets both current and future needs.Along with this, Superior is embracing infill development opportunities.“We try to be as flexible and amenable with our zoning processes,” she portrays. “Our unwavering approach in dealing with desirable housing and employment projects is, ‘How do we get to yes on this?’” In addition, an upcoming project on the north side 226 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
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