By admin 
MARANA, Ariz. (13 News) – A century-old cemetery will remain intact as work begins on an 820-acre development northeast of Interstate 10 and Twin Peaks in Marana.
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Town officials said work started in March to turn the land into a multi-use complex with commercial and residential businesses.
The property, owned by Bourn Partners, will include more than 200 acres for commercial business and more than 400 acres for residential buildings.
“The Cascada II Specific Plan provides the Town of Marana with a diversity of housing choices and increased commercial development opportunities,” said Marana interim Director for Development Services Brett Wittenberg.
The small cemetery sits in the middle of the development site and holds the remains of early ranching families who settled the area.
“That’s my grandfather right there,” said Armando Wilson, a Marana resident whose grandfather, brothers, sons and grandsons are all buried at the site. A spot is reserved for Wilson for when he is laid to rest right next to his grandfather.
Local residents said the cemetery became the closest burial site in town in the early 1900s.
“There wasn’t any doctors, so childrens would, children would have the tendency to pass away, and this is, they would bring them here,” said Antonio Teran, a Marana resident who has helped preserve the burial site since 1964.
The cemetery sits a few miles from where Teran’s family operated ranches at the foot of the Tortolita Mountains.
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The Pasqua Yaqui Tribe took ownership of the land from the longtime ranchers. The tribe initially looked to move the cemetery but agreed to preserve the spot.
“They wanted me to take my two brothers and grandson out of this cemetery because they were buried on sacred land,” Wilson said.
However, Teran said the tribe’s decision brought relief to the families.
“This is probably sacred land, but this is just as sacred to us who were raised in this area,” Teran said.
Town Manager Terry Rozema confirmed the 820-acre build-out will include a fence surrounding the cemetery with a 50-foot buffer.
Teran said he is grateful the cemetery will remain.
“I’m delighted to know that this cemetery, though it’s so tiny compared to the rest of the area, that it’ll still be here till the day I die,” Teran said.
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