January 2018
RTA Valencia/Kolb intersection project begins.
Houghton Over the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks – concrete being poured.
I-10 and Wilmot – The temporary bridge is being assembled and installed for traffic.
February 2018
Houghton Town Center has added Jersey Mike’s Subs, Inverse Jiu Jitzu, and Realty Executives. Hughes Federal Credit Union is under construction.
Hampton Inn and Suites has begun clearing land at Rita Road and I-10.
Las Plazas Old Vail expansion has recently started again. Arby’s will be opening in Phase 2.
Progress is ongoing at the Safeway and gas station in Vail just across from Walgreen’s. The opening is scheduled later this year.
Covered RV Parking is being constructed at 9040 E. Old Vail Road.
Mattamy Homes is clearing land for their housing development on Houghton Road near Bilby. It is called Saguaro Trails and will feature master planned single-family homes. Models are planned to be open beginning of Fall 2018.
March 2018
Development continues in Houghton Town Center.
Fast Food Arby’s under construction along with Big-O Tires in Las Plazas Old Vail expansion.
Near Houghton and Golf Links, Leman Academy of Excellence will open an eastside campus in the fall of 2018.
April 2018
Arby’s scheduled to open in the 3rd quarter of Las Plazas Old Vail.
Rita Road and I-10 is also the future location of Fairfield Inn & Suites.
Safeway is scheduled to open on April 4th.
Traffic has been shifted, work continues on the demolition of the old Houghton Road bridge.
May 2018
Safeway had their grand opening, B & Q Nails and Vail Physical Therapy leased space.
June 2018
Houghton Town Center Update: A family style sit down restaurant is in the final stages of locating near Popeye’s, Realty Executives opened on June 1st and Jersey Mike’s Subs will open on the 13th. Arby’s opened on June 25th.
August 2018
Hoki Poki will be opening at Las Plazas at Old Vail at Houghton and Old Vail Road. They plan to open in November. Vail Steakhouse has been purchased by a new owner.
September 2018
Serial Grillers will be opening up at the old Chuy’s location on Houghton Road mid-September.
October 2018
A 40,000 square foot medical cannabis cultivation facility is being built next to the Rita Ranch Car Wash on Rita Road.
Denny’s will be opening, in 2019, a new location next to Popeye’s at Houghton Town Center.
Big O Tires opened at Las Plazas Old Vail next to Arby’s.
Vail Development: Four hundred acres at the old Passages location just off of 83 was sold recently.
Desert Zen Yoga Studio has opened Old Vail and Houghton Road. Classes start October 6th. They will be a full yoga studio.
November 2018
Mi Mercadito at Rita. New food truck – They are located in the open lot between Madera Vet and Serial Grillers (7655 S. Houghton Road).
Mercado Del Lago – Vail Safeway Shopping Center. The separate building under construction adjacent to Safeway will be a dental office. Under construction in the strip is a hair salon, nail salon, barbershop, and a Subway. A Goodwill drop-off will be located on the grounds as well.
Early 2019 These stores either are open or will be opening very soon at the Vail Safeway Shopping Center (Mercado del Lago): Nail Salon; About Me Hair Salon; Apex Physical Therapy; Subway Goodwill store (not trailer); Gentlemen Jacks barbershop; Dentist office; and a Chase Bank.
