For the past few years, local rumors and water-cooler conversations have cropped up concerning a large mixed-use development going in on Tucson's Southeast side:  "There's a Mall of America being built in Tucson!"   some have claimed, while others chime in with comments about developers floating rumors to help sell their homes and a whole host of other thoughts.

The truth is this:  Yes, there is a huge developement going in, and no, it isn't being put together by the homebuilders who have been instrumental in the growth of the region.  Passages of Tucson is a 400-acre mixed use development to include shopping, living, health, offices--you name it.  Plans are for anywhere from 1.5 million square feet of retail and business space to over 6 million square feet (depending on market conditions).  Frontage along I-10 in Vail will be over a mile long. The developer was deeply involved in the Mall of America project:  Robert Hoffman.  He has over 40 years in development experience under his belt.  It is real.  It is here.  Now.

(From Passages of Tucson Website)

The region of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico may not seem at first glance to be the type of area to support such a project, but the demographics and forecasts on both sides of the border, combined with the results in dimensions unseen before the Mall of America project make sense, especially with Mr. Hoffman's track record.  Think you know Tucson?  Wait 10 years...you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Take a look at the website:  Passages of Tucson

Listen to Robert Hoffman's Interview

            Kent Simpson