FICO will add homes, preserve open space
Farmers Investment Co., whose property covers one-third of Sahuarita, has released a plan to add nearly 20,000 homes to the town over the next 50 years. The Sahuarita Farms Land/River Master Plan, which FICO owners Dick and Nan Walden introduced to the public in during three presentations last week, seeks to turn the Santa Cruz River into a 12-mile long greenway that would include trails, revegetated river banks and other open space. The Waldens expect to formally submit the plan to the town of Sahuarita in the first quarter of 2011 and are seeking public comment in the meantime.

Pecan-grove owners show plans for big development
Owners of the pecan groves south of Tucson are planning what could be the largest development by far in Sahuarita, a Tucson suburb that until the real estate market collapsed was one of the country’s fastest-growing communities. Farmers Investment Co. officials unveiled preliminary plans this week for 16,500 to 19,000 homes on 6,000 acres straddling 12 miles of the Santa Cruz River. The centerpiece is a long-term plan to return water, through effluent, to the river environment.

FICO gives more details on development
The plan for developing 5,700 acres of Farmers Investment Co. property in Sahuarita would turn the Santa Cruz River from a source of stormwater sheet flooding into a 12-mile greenway including trails, revegetated river banks, other open space and soccer fields.

FICO sets meetings on development plans
Farmers Investment Co. next week will hold three public meetings to explain how it plans to enhance the Santa Cruz River as it develops its pecan groves over the next 50 years.

FICO moves gently into future, with public’s help

Home development plans unveiled for 7,000 acres of pecan groves by Fico

New homes could take the place of pecan trees