Imagine a New Urbanist community that has been entirely designed around sustainability and community cohesion. The result is the Tucson Solar Village to Civano.
Civano first opened in 1999 with the intention of evolving into a 1,200-acre development that would consist of a town center, four neighborhoods with 2,700 homes, an eco-friendly technology business park, and nearly a million square feet of commercial and light industrial space. While Civano hasn’t quite reached its intended size, that doesn’t take away from how incredible this community is. In 2004, Sunset magazine called it the "Best New Community," and it's been called "the largest high-performance, mixed-use community in the United States."
Today, Civano consists of 650 resource-efficient homes that are distinctly brightly colored and don't have the usual "cookie-cutter" appearance as many other urban developments. The area has attractive tree-lined streets, with many properties benefiting from beautiful mountain views. The community's unique design is part of why it seems to blend with the natural environment seamlessly.
While Civano didn’t become the large business center of its original plan, there are still plenty of amenities to service the development’s residents. With 50 small businesses, there are several dining, fitness, medical, and entertainment providers. Additionally, the town center has two swimming pools, a tennis court, a playground, and a community garden. Young students here attend the small community and middle school that are a part of the high-ranking Vail School District. In 2008, Ellen DeGeneres named the community school the “Greenest Grade School in America.”
One of the excellent benefits of Civano is its proximity to great hiking trails and Fantasy Island, which has become a go-to destination for mountain bikers. In addition, Civano residents are never short on outdoor access to outdoor activities, with the Saguaro National Park just a few minutes away. The National Park offers a network of trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians to explore.
Civano has been labeled a solar village because it was designed around the idea of creating a community that demonstrates how to harness solar power and reduce environmental impact. The developers, backed by government and private funding, set out ambitious goals. They aimed to reduce home energy consumption by 50 percent, reduce potable water by 65 percent, reduce internal miles driven by 40 percent, create on-site jobs, reduce landfill waste, and build a portion of the homes as affordable housing.
It's undeniable that Civano has a distinct community presence. With open-aired courtyards and plazas designed by Moule & Polyzoides, there are plenty of public areas for gathering. The community has its own privately published newsletter and website, and there are always plenty of activities in and around town. In addition, neighborhood volunteers organize large events such as the Civano Picnic and Earth Day Celebration, Spring Arts & Crafts Fair and Quilt Raffle, and Independence Day Parade.
As a result of market conditions and increased demand, property prices in Civano have been quickly rising, with the median listing price now up to $450,000. Here you can find homes from 2-5 bedrooms with a large arrange of floorplans. Civano is the place to be if you’re seeking a walkable community with a rich history in sustainability.