Rio Nuevo Approved Landfill Assessment Funding
The district authorized $10,000 to evaluate environmental hazards at the closed A Mountain landfill site.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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The Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board of Directors unanimously approved $10,000 for a preliminary environmental assessment of the A Mountain landfill. The 27-acre site requires this assessment to determine potential contamination before future development can be considered.
Why it matters
The assessment serves as a critical first step in addressing environmental hazards at the property. Identifying the extent of damage to the water table is necessary to determine if the site can eventually be repurposed.
The board authorized $10,000 to study the 27-acre A Mountain landfill site, which has remained closed since 1962. Lawyers have estimated that full property remediation could eventually cost $50 million.
The players
Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District
This is a state-funded agency responsible for the redevelopment of downtown Tucson.
Kameron Norwood
He is a newly appointed member of the Rio Nuevo board of directors.
Hank Amos
He is a newly appointed member of the Rio Nuevo board of directors.
The details
The site was acquired by Rio Nuevo during legal settlements in 2012, after the state of Arizona took over the redevelopment project. During the recent board meeting, Kameron Norwood and Hank Amos were also confirmed as new board members appointed by Republican state officeholders.
Timeline
The city of Tucson closed the A Mountain landfill in 1962.
The state of Arizona assumed control of the redevelopment project in 2012.
The board approved the assessment funding during their meeting in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This move represents an incremental step in managing assets inherited from the 2012 Rio Nuevo legal settlements. By initiating environmental testing, the district is attempting to reconcile the long-term liability of the dormant landfill with broader urban development goals for the Tucson area.
Residents should be aware that this assessment is the beginning of a long process to evaluate a site that has been closed for decades. While the study itself has no immediate impact on local prices, it is a necessary precursor to any future construction or land-use changes in the area.
The takeaway
This preliminary assessment is a necessary hurdle for identifying the true scope of environmental remediation required at the landfill. Property owners and developers often face significant financial burdens when repurposing land that has been dormant for over sixty years.
Further reading
For more on the individuals guiding local development, see Tucson People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tucson Sentinel.
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