Board kills Cimarron snack bar plans

The Sun City Grand board of directors quashed talk about a possible snack bar at the Cimarron Center at Thursday's regular board meeting.

The directors voted unanimously to kill the project, which had been discussed for the last two years, primarily citing concerns about location and necessity.

"I don't think it's a good location," said Vice President Bill Sullivan. "The location is negative for people who use the building and want to get through there."

The plans for a snack bar stalled recently when staff notified the board it would need $6,000 for architectural designs and project approval permits from Maricopa County and the city of Surprise before the project could proceed.

Staff requested the board either abandon the project altogether or approve $6,000 to fund the beginning stages of the snack bar and solicit bids from vendors.

The board discussed whether there was a real need for a food venue at Cimarron, whether patronage would warrant detracting from the "beauty of the center," and whether there would be sufficient parking and seating space inside the building for snackers.

"It would be a shame to ruin the beauty of that building by putting something in the center of it," said President John Such. "That thing is limited by one entrance. Can you imagine (people) standing in line, 30 deep? I don't think so."

In the end, the negatives outweighed the positives for board members.

"In my mind it needs to die," said board secretary Rosemary Murphy. "Where are people going to park? We already have problems with parking over there."

Residents in attendance agreed with the board decision.

"How much time has staff spent on this?" said resident Martha Bails. "I personally think it should die tonight with no more money and no more time and effort spent."

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.