Green Valley - Retirement with a future

The Maxon Construction Co. took a one-year option to buy the 9,700-acre Continental Ranch in 1961. Much of the land, about 20 miles south of Tucson on the main highway to Nogales, was at that time being used for raising cotton and peanuts.

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_{1964 Star files}

_{The garden apartments at Tucson Green Valley.}

As envisioned by Don Maxon, the northernmost 3,000 acres would not become just another “ordinary subdivision in the sun.” He saw Green Valley as “retirement with a future.” It was believed that when fully developed the area would accommodate about 2,500 people.

There were to be five distinct neighborhoods. One would include a shopping are and 1,500 garden-type rental units; the second, individual homes priced about $15,000 and built around a golf course; the third, 2- to 3-acre “mini-farms; the fourth and fifth, luxury custom-built homes.

More than a year after receiving approval from the county to proceed with development, the University of Arizona Foundation became involved in the project. In 1962, it was announced they would finance the first 311 acres of development. The foundation was granted the largest Federal Housing Administration loan guarantee to date for senior housing, $12.41 million.

Then, the largest mortgage to date in Pima County history was recorded. The National Commercial Bank and Trust Co. of Albany, N.Y., and the New York State Teachers Retirement Fund advanced the $12.41 million principal.

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_{1963 Star files}

_{Gov. Paul Fannin welcomed Ohio retirees Mr. and Mrs. Leo Hohler with a copy of “The Arizona Story.” The Hohler’s were considered the first Green Valley residents.}

Construction on the first buildings began in 1963. Maxon crews planted 37,300 trees, shrubs and cacti to provide landscaping for the new community. In March 1964, an 11-store shopping plaza on Esperanza officially was opened. It was anchored by a Goodman’s Supermarket.

But by 1966, despite slow yet steady growth and favorable reviews, Green Valley was in trouble. About 800 of the 1,150 garden apartments were vacant. That January it became the largest housing development in Tucson ever to enter the FHA’s “dead claims transactions” category.

The FHA took possession of the garden apartments, shopping plaza, recreation center and golf course and soon foreclosed on the property. Maxon announced at the time only 9 percent of the community was involved and that the UA Foundation suffered no loss in the repossession.

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_{1971 Jack Sheaffer photo}

_{The Green Valley Community Church in 1971.}

Soon, however new companies became involved with the development of Green Valley and growth and construction resumed. In 1970, the population was listed at 4,500. The area continues to grow today.