1994-2003

Water and housing, and their accompanying conflicts, dominated the decade. The 1990 census showed a 3-fold increase in residents, to 6,670, gained through annexation and development of land.

In 1996, the Oro Valley Water Utility was created through the purchase of private water companies. More water company purchases would follow, allowing the town to better control its water resource while accumulating rights to Central Arizona Project water.

In 1997, to halt a battle over development, the Pima County Supervisors spent $1 million to buy 300 acres of Honeybee Canyon. At the same time, the Town of Tortolita was incorporated in September 1997. Oro Valley officials fought against this new town on its western edge, and eventually Tortolita was dissolved.

Oro Valley 1994-2003: A Visual Timeline

In 1998, Pima County and Oro Valley entered an agreement to generate money for the creation of Riverfront Park. It opened in 2000, the same year Oro Valley purchased the Naranja Townsite that today is the site of major recreational investment and activity.

Institutions opened, to include the U.S. Post Office on La Canada in 1998, the Oro Valley Branch of the Pima County Library in 2002, and the Coyote Run transit service – now Sun Shuttle – in 1996. Wilson K-8 School, Ironwood Ridge High School and Painted Sky Elementary School all opened during the 10-year span.

Ventana Medical Systems, now Roche Tissue Diagnostics, opened its doors in Oro Valley’s Innovation Park in 2001. Today, Roche is the community’s largest private employer.

Water Utility Milestones

  • Oro Valley Water Utility created with the purchase of Canada Hills, Rancho Vistoso water companies, May 1996.
  • With the puchase of the Canada Hills Water Co., town acquired rights to 1,652 acre feet of Central Arizona Project Water, 1996
  • When it assumed management of the Oro Valley Water Improvement District 1, town acquired rights to 642 acre feet of CAP water, 1999.
  • As a result of settlement with the City of Tucson regarding 3 private water companies, town acquired rights to 4,454 acre feet of CAP water, 2002. Town paid Tucson $5.96 million.
  • Town entered negotiations with the City of Tucson to acquire rights to wastewater effluent, and treat and deliver reclaimed water, 2000.
  • Town and City of Tucson enter agreement for effluent rights and reclaimed water; town adopts reclaimed water system master plan, 2002.
  • Town begins design and construction of reclaimed water system to golf courses at Stone Canyon, Golf Club at Vistoso and Sun City, 2003-'05.
  • Town council forms stormwater utility, June 20, 2001.

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In This Decade

  • Sun City Vistoso, now known as Sun City Oro Valley, completed on 1,000 acres, 1996.
  • Richard B. Wilson K-8 School opens in Oro Valley, 1996.
  • Pima County Supervisors OK $1 million to acquire 300 acres in HoneyBee Canyon, 1997
  • Town starts the Coyote Run transit service, 1996. In its first year, it carried 1,359 passengers. In fiscal 2022-'23, its successor Sun Shuttle transported 61,477 people.
  • Pima County and Oro Valley enter agreement for bonds to develop Riverfront Park along the CDO Wash, 1998.
  • Oro Valley Post Office opens on La Canada, December 1998.
  • First Holiday Tree Lighting, 2000
  • Town purchases the Naranja Park townsite, 2000.
  • Riverfront Park opens to the public, 2000.
  • Ironwood Ridge High School opens, 2001.
  • Painted Sky Elementary School opens, 2001.
  • Ventana Medical Systems, now Roche Tissue Diagnostics, opens in Oro Valley's Innovation Park, 2001.
  • Dennis Weaver Park renamed for Oro Valley founding father James D. Kriegh, 2001.
  • Oro Valley Public Library opens, August 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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