The Town of Marana has introduced an innovative online dashboard aimed at keeping residents and developers updated on the community’s growth. 

Accessible through the town’s website, the platform provides real-time insights into public and private development projects, including permits, inspections, and planning updates. The tool offers a clear and transparent view of Marana’s ongoing growth.

“We receive a number of inquiries, emails and phone calls asking about what’s going on in various locations. People often ask, ‘What’s going up over there?’ or ‘Why are they moving dirt here?’” Development Director Jason Angell told Tucson Spotlight. “We thought it would be helpful to create a dashboard that people can access online to get all the details, from permit metrics to inspection results.”

The dashboard is designed to meet the needs of both curious residents and commercial developers.

Users can explore detailed project information, including locations, project types, and progress updates. With the integration of Geographic Information Systems, the platform offers a visual map interface that makes it easy to pinpoint developments in specific areas.

“This dashboard is a game-changer for transparency,” Angell said. “We’ve always provided reports, but now we’re putting all that data into an interactive format that’s accessible to everyone.”

Angell, who has served on the council for seven years, said the community has already responded favorably to the new tool.

“When someone asks, ‘What’s going on over there?’ we can quickly direct them to the dashboard,” Angell said. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”

The dashboard is maintained by a collaborative effort within the town’s administration. Three different departments contribute to keeping the information current.

“We have someone in our permitting section that updates all the numbers for inspections and permits. We have a staff member in our planning division that will update all the projects and then our GIS team ensures all the data is mapped accurately. It’s a group effort to ensure everything runs smoothly,” Angell said. 

The platform’s design aims to be user-friendly, offering both a detailed and a high-level view of development projects. Beyond serving residents, Angell says the dashboard is a valuable resource for commercial developers, streamlining access to data that is critical for planning and executing projects.

But since there’s always room for improvement, the dashboard team is working on enhancements to make the platform even more robust, Angell said.

“We want the dashboard to be a comprehensive tool that holds all the information commercial developers might need,” he said. “We’re looking at ways to expand its capabilities and ensure it remains a reliable resource.”

The dashboard provides key insights, including:

• Permit metrics with detailed reports on issued permits and their statuses;
• Inspection data with information on inspections completed and those scheduled;
• Interactive project maps showing the location and scope of each project;
• Progress tracking for projects still in the planning stages.

These features aim to enhance transparency and foster a sense of community involvement in Marana’s growth, Angell said.

The Marana Current and Proposed Projects Dashboard is part of the town’s broader commitment to transparency and public engagement. Angell pointed to its potential to evolve with additional features over time, ensuring it continues to meet the community’s needs.

As the town grows, tools like this dashboard are vital for maintaining a dialogue between residents, developers, and the town’s administration, Angell said.

“It’s all about making information accessible,” he said. “This platform is just the beginning of how we’re working to keep everyone informed.”

Residents and developers can explore the dashboard on the Town of Marana’s website and are encouraged to direct additional questions or feedback to the appropriate town department.

Lauryn Abozeid is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at labozeid@arizona.edu.

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