Downtown Marana Gets the Green Light: Restaurant, Hotel and Retail Jobs Planned Near Main Street
MARANA, AZ — Marana is finally getting the downtown it has talked about for years, and with it a long list of future jobs. The Downtown Marana entertainment district, planned for about 19 acres of town-owned land at Marana Main Street and Civic Center Drive, cleared its last legal hurdle this summer when the Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge. The project is now in design, with construction expected to start in late 2027 or early 2028.
Restaurants, shops, a brewery, a dance hall and a hotel are on the drawing board. No one is hiring yet, but this is the kind of project that fills a lot of aprons and name tags when it opens.
In a hurry? Skip straight to the job links and begin searching now →
📍 Downtown Marana at a Glance
| Project | Downtown Marana, a mixed-use entertainment district |
|---|---|
| Location | Town-owned land east of Marana Main Street and north of Civic Center Drive, Marana |
| Size | About 19 acres; the Arizona Daily Star reports roughly 870,000 square feet planned |
| Developer | Marana Urban LLC, led by Scott Stiteler with Rudy Dabdoub |
| Concept | Restaurants, bars, retail, a hotel, event space and public gathering areas |
| Timeline | Design now; construction expected late 2027 or early 2028; no completion date set |
| New jobs | No headcount announced; hospitality, retail and construction roles expected |
A Downtown Marana Plan Years in the Making
The town put out a call for proposals in May 2024 and got exactly one answer, from Marana Urban LLC. The Town Council approved a 75-year ground lease in December 2025. A political action committee then filed referendum petitions to put the deal before voters, and the town threw them out, arguing a development agreement is an administrative act, not a legislative one. Pima County Superior Court and the Arizona Court of Appeals agreed, and in July the Arizona Supreme Court declined to review the case. The town keeps project updates on its Downtown Marana page.
Developer Scott Stiteler put it simply to the Arizona Daily Star: "Marana is so ready for this to happen." Town Manager Terry Rozema has said residents keep asking for sit-down restaurants, which are scarce in north Marana.
What's Planned: Restaurants, a Brewery and a Dance Hall
The Star reports the developers are taking inspiration from Mule Alley at the Fort Worth Stockyards in Texas, with plans that include restaurants, retail shops, a brewery, a coffee shop, a dance hall and a rodeo arena. The town and KGUN 9 also list a hotel. The town's lease announcement says the first phase calls for restaurants and a spa, an open outdoor recreation area and a brick-paved roadway near the Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center. The concept art is early, and the town says it is subject to change.
The team has a track record in Tucson hospitality. The Star notes the developers' portfolio includes the AC Hotel Tucson, The Hub, Playground Bar & Lounge and Corbett's, and the town lists Regan Jasper, a co-founder of Fox Restaurant Concepts, on the development team. No tenants have been named yet.
The Timeline, and When Jobs Could Come
Design is expected to take about a year to 18 months. Under the lease, the developer has 18 months to submit a phase one plan and two years to start construction. That lines up with the late 2027 or early 2028 construction start that town officials and the developers have described. The district will be built in phases, and the town has not set a completion date.
That means the first paychecks here go to builders. Restaurant, hotel and retail hiring typically ramps up in the months before each building opens, so those jobs are further out. The town estimates the commercial buildings at about $84 million in 2025 dollars, which it will repay over time from part of the sales tax the property generates.
💰 Marana Pays the State Minimum, Not Tucson's
Downtown Marana sits inside the Town of Marana, so the Arizona minimum wage applies, not the City of Tucson's higher rate. Today that's $15.15 an hour statewide versus $15.45 inside Tucson city limits. On January 1, 2027, the state floor rises to $15.65 and Tucson's to $16.00. Both rates adjust every January, so expect higher figures by the time this district opens. Our 2027 minimum wage guide explains the jurisdiction line, and working in Marana and Oro Valley covers what it means for your paycheck.
What It Means for Tucson Job Seekers
None of these roles are posted, and they won't be for a while. But if you live in Marana, Continental Ranch or the northwest side and you're tired of driving to Tucson for restaurant or hotel work, this is one to watch. Here's what a district like this usually hires:
- Restaurant and bar staff: line cooks, servers, bartenders, hosts and baristas for the coffee shop. Search restaurant jobs in Marana.
- Hotel and spa: front desk agents, room attendants and spa attendants. Search hotel jobs.
- Events and entertainment: a dance hall and arena need event coordinators, security and guest services staff.
- Retail: retail sales associates and store managers for the shops.
- Construction, first: construction laborers, carpenters and electricians once building starts. Search construction jobs in Marana.
More Marana Hiring News
You don't have to wait until 2028 to work in Marana. A Walmart Supercenter is coming to Tangerine and I-10, Shamrock Foods is hiring at its new distribution center, and Lomo Premium Meats just opened its Marana butcher shop.
🔎 Search Jobs Now
- Jobs in Marana
- Restaurant jobs in Marana
- Line cook jobs in Tucson
- Server jobs in Tucson
- Bartender jobs in Tucson
- Hotel jobs in Tucson
- Retail jobs in Marana
- Construction jobs in Marana
Browse the Restaurant and Food Service and Hospitality guides in the TucsonHIRED Career Center for pay and requirements by role.
Want the next posting in your inbox? Create a free TucsonHIRED account and set alerts for Marana restaurant, hotel and retail jobs so you hear first when Downtown Marana tenants start hiring.
📢 Employers: Signing On in Downtown Marana?
If you're opening a restaurant, shop or service business in Marana, start building your crew early. Post your jobs on TucsonHIRED and reach northwest-side candidates who'd rather work close to home.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Downtown Marana be built?
On about 19 acres of town-owned land east of Marana Main Street and north of Civic Center Drive, near the Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center.
When will Downtown Marana open?
No opening date has been set. Design is underway, and construction is expected to begin in late 2027 or early 2028. The district will be built in phases.
Is Downtown Marana hiring now?
No. No tenants have been announced and no jobs have been posted. Construction work will come first, followed by restaurant, hotel and retail hiring as buildings near opening.
What businesses are planned for Downtown Marana?
Plans include restaurants, bars, retail shops, a hotel and event space. The Arizona Daily Star reports a brewery, coffee shop, dance hall and rodeo arena are also in the concept. Specific tenants have not been named.
What is the minimum wage in Marana?
Marana follows the Arizona minimum wage: $15.15 an hour in 2026, rising to $15.65 on January 1, 2027. The City of Tucson's higher rate applies only inside Tucson city limits.
From the I-10 frontage to the MARC pool, Marana Main Street is about to get a lot busier. Keep your resume current, because when the first tenant signs, the jobs won't be far behind.
