About Civano and its unique history

Building Community

Encourage face-to-face interaction. Applying the concepts of the New Urbanism, the Civano plan will foster connection with important gathering places such as the neighborhood center, the  town  center,  and  the  community  school. There  will  be  a  variety  of  social  and  cultural 

spaces.

Connection with the Land

The built environment will enhance the pattern of the land, not work against it. “The richest parts of the land, in terms of drainage patterns, water resources and the resulting vegetation patterns are preserved.”

Respect for Climate

The plan will acknowledge the natural patterns of the sun, wind, and seasons. Public spaces will support human comfort through natural means (“shade trees nurtured by natural runoff”), and by minimizing the amount of heat absorbed in buildings and streets.

Regeneration

“Principles of sustainability include strategies for conservation, regeneration, and stewardship of resources.” Regeneration principles include restoration of natural riparian habitats and the 

planting of food-producing crops.

Source: Civano Neighborhood 1 Planned Area Development, (PAD) adopted October 2007

CIVANO is the name of an archaeological period of the HOHOKAM indigenous people. The HOHOKAM culture existed between 650 A.D.& 1450 A.D. The “Civano” ” phase was between 1300 A.D to 1450 A.D.

The HOHOKAM people lived in the Tucson area. The Hohokam people developed sophisticated social and economic systems while striving to live in balance with their natural environment.  They emphasized community through social responsibility, recreation, artistry and central gathering places.

The scroll, or spiral, is often found on Hohokam pottery. The scroll, or spiral, used frequently in Native American pieces to signify “ascent” and the passageway to other realities. Combining the triangle and scroll in a continuous line bestows a quality of sustainability. 

The vision for a new type of community, one with big reductions in natural resources use and a lot less impact on the environment began back in 1981.

In 1985 a large sum of money from the U.S. Dept. of Energy was to be distributed to states for energy conservation programs. The Tucson-Pima Metropolitan Energy Commission successfully petitioned for $250,000 to initiate planning of a community development focused on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

In 1988 the State of Arizona gave a grant worth $210,000 to plan the “Tucson Solar Village.”  Initially the project was called the Tucson Solar Village. Later the name of the project became Civano: A Model Sustainable Community.

In 1991 City of Tucson and community leaders selected a site. State Land Department committed 818 acres of undeveloped land on the SE side of Tucson, and the city approved rezoning for a master-planned  community.

Between 1996 and 1999 various investors, companies, and community design experts were involved in the purchase of the land and the design of the new community. Newsletters and special events were used to attract Civano “pioneers”: the potential home-buyers. In October 1997, Civano Neighborhood 1 planned area development (PAD) was adopted by Tucson mayor and council. In 1998 the “Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements (CC&Rs) for Civano: The Tucson Solar Village” were recorded with Pima

County.

In 1998 The Neighborhood Center was constructed. By preceding the building of houses, this action reinforced the message that community is central to the principles of Civano.

The Grand opening of Civano was on April 16,1999 with 17 model homes by five builders: SolarBuilt, TJ Bednar, RGC, KE&G, and First Homes. The first homeowners moved in during the summer of 1999.

Starting in 1999, HGTV taped programs about Civano that were to be shown nationally. The programs illustrated the community’s design, energy efficiency, and xeriscaping. The “Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Civano” were amended and restated in January 2000.

Between 1999 and 2019, Civano grew from 17 model homes to a community with 674 homes built by a many different builders. During this 20 year period, two commercial areas were developed: the Civano Nursery and the central commercial district. The central commercial district has many small business that provide business services, health care, and personal care for the residents of the community. Many other small in-home business have flourished in the community. In January of 2004, Sunset magazine named Civano “Best New Community of the Year.” Also early on in this 20 year period the Civano Community School was built. The first school was for elementary age students and later the school expanded into a second building for middle school age students.