The Tucson Development Thread [Archive] - Page 14

kaneui

Dec 5, 2009, 1:11 AM

Visitors at tomorrow's grand opening of the new downtown Fire Central will also see a memorial to the Barrio El Hoyo that was destroyed as a result of Tucson's revitalization efforts in the 1960's:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/FireCentral-exterior.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/FireCentral-interior.jpg
(photos: Downtown Tucsonan)

TFD unveils its hot new home tomorrow
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
December 04, 2009

A short, four-block move makes a world of difference for the Tucson Fire Department and Barrio Viejo Neighborhood. Tucson Fire Central and Fire Station 1’s arrival in September at Cushing Street and Granada Avenue transformed an auxiliary Tucson Convention Center parking lot into a neighborhood attraction. The fire department’s new $38 million headquarters reflects Barrio Viejo’s architecture with red tile roofs and white plaster masonry walls. A 32-foot tall bell tower houses the historic 5-mile bell that dates from Tucson’s first fire station, and a 250-space, two-level underground parking garage is invisible to the neighborhood.

The 3.4-acre property has enough open space for small San Cosme Park with gazebo and mural at the south end; the first finished section of the El Paso and Southwestern Greenway path, including a railroad switch, along the west edge; and a Barrio El Hoyo memorial at the northwest corner commemorating the 1960s demolition of the barrio where the TCC, City Hall and Pima County administrative offices now sit.

“The Fire Department approached the neighborhood from the very beginning and asked to be their neighbor,” Deputy Fire Chief Joe Gulotta said. “We invited them and involved them in the design process and communicated with them through the process.” Barrio Viejo President Pedro Gonzales particularly welcomes the Memorial to Barrio El Hoyo, which features a statue of him as a child in the 1960s and his mother pointing toward the TCC at what was then the demolition of the barrio. “The memorial is the most powerful thing to remind us what happened in the 1960s,” Gonzales said.

Fire Central serves two purposes. It houses the 150-plus employees in administration, fire prevention inspections, mapping and education. And there’s the adjoining three-bay Fire Station 1 with its three shifts of firefighters manning two engines, one ladder truck, one medic truck, a hazardous materials truck and trucks for the battalion chief and emergency captain. The fire station comes with two traditional fire poles, which have largely disappeared at fire departments across the country. TFD chose to build the firefighters living and sleeping quarters above the engine bay.

Downtown firefighters now have individual bedrooms rather than the three, six-bedroom dorms at the old Station 1 next to the Tucson Police headquarters. The new station also has individual bathrooms with single showers rather than six showers in one line. “It’s like moving out of a house and living in the lobby of a resort hotel,” Capt. Brian Delfs said. Delfs, a 27-year TFD veteran, does admit to missing the smells and snoring of fellow firefighters: “Now a little rattle in the vents keeps you awake.” The new, two-story, 67,000-square-foot Fire Central – about triple the size of the old HQ – allowed fire headquarters to consolidate functions scattered around town. The 25 fire prevention inspectors and four fire investigators moved Downtown form the Fire Prevention Center at Park Avenue and Ajo Way, and the public education team came Downtown from the joint fire-police academy at 10001 S. Wilmot Road.

TFD’s move to centralize reverses a nationwide trend over the past 30 years to decentralize government functions. “We lost efficiency,” Fire Chief Patrick Kelly said. “Now we bring it back under one roof.” Right by the lobby is a huge classroom, where public education and firefighter class-work takes place. That, for example, gives a more centralized class training location for TFD’s three hazmat and three technical rescue teams. “Everybody would pack up and go to the academy before,” said Capt. Trish Tracy, TFD’s public information officer.

Fire Central has somewhat palatial dimensions with 12-foot ceilings and broad open spaces. Downtown architect Bob Vint was a historical and design consultant, supporting the team led by Pual Mickelberg, principal at WSM Architects. Vint said the design has no specific style but rather speaks to the “barrio vernacular woven together from different strands.” Along with the red tile roofs and white plaster masonry, there are homages to sleeping patios found in Barrio Viejo, overhanging parapet roofs and some Craftsman influences. TFD was able to plunk down a massive building in Tucson’s most historic neighborhood without ruffling barrio feathers. “This will last 40-50 years and we could still stay in the Downtown area,” Kelly said.

DETAILS

Grand Opening of Fire Central Complex

Cushing Street and Granada Avenue

When: 9 a.m., Saturday Dec. 5

• 9 a.m. Firefighter memorial dedication

• 9:30 a.m. Fire Central dedication

Followed by guided tours

kaneui

Dec 5, 2009, 5:26 AM

To compete in the current housing market, the new developer of the foreclosed Villages at River Walk townhomes will complete the project with smaller units at lower price points:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/RiverWalktownhomes.jpg
A.F. Sterling Homes will “makeover” a foreclosed townhome development.
(photo: Roger Yohem)

A.F. Sterling Homes to introduce 'urban edge' townhomes
By Roger Yohem
Inside Tucson Business
December 04, 2009

If all goes according to plan, A.F. Sterling Homes will be ready to launch its own version of an “extreme makeover” of an infill project by April. That’s the target date the builder has set to introduce a new product line of townhomes at its Villages at River Walk, south of River Road about a half-mile east of Campbell Avenue. “Although we are not a traditionally a townhouse builder, we saw this as an opportunity because of the location,” said Randy Agron, vice president and chief of operations for A.F. Sterling Homes. “It is a premier, irreplaceable location at the gateway to the foothills. When the market turns, we think there will be an extremely high demand for new townhomes.”

A.F. Sterling’s “extreme makeover” project is rooted in a failed and foreclosed development. With two investment partners, the company bought 11 partially built homes and 108 lots on June 30 for $3.1 million from National Bank of Arizona. A.F. Sterling owns 50 percent of the project and has complete operating control. One of the unfinished units has been completed and sold. Three more are undergoing renovation and one will become a model home. All 10 are for sale, priced from $244,900.

To compete and survive in the current unstable housing market, Agron said their new product line will be smaller and less expensive, but still retain the company’s standards for quality. The units will be 1,400 square feet to 1,900 square feet. Prices have not been set for the new line although Agron said price points will be “very attractive.” The company’s venture into townhomes comes during a time of record unemployment, foreclosures and mortgage defaults. The fragile economics of home building forced A.F. Sterling’s owners, Peter Aronoff and Jon Fenton, to re-evaluate every aspect of their business. Agron said to survive, the decision was made to adjust to the economy’s “new dynamics” and make decisions based on current factors influencing the market. “To make a project like this pencil out in today’s market, it had to be a smaller product at a lower price,” Agron said. “We think that will match consumer demand when our townhomes are ready at the end of the first quarter in 2010. We paid a fair price for a long-term opportunity.”

The development was started originally by River Elk LLC and included contractors Louis Marson & Sons, of Scottsdale. Agron described the original plans as “high-end, New York-style” townhomes. Even if the housing market had not collapsed, Agron said he believed the product was not a good match for Tucson buyers. Yet, A.F. Sterling saw some design elements it liked, and plans to make over their version as “urban with an edge.” “It will still be a unique product, with roof top decks and toned-down colors. But definitely, the design will be more applicable to Tucson,” said Agron.

kaneui

Dec 8, 2009, 5:35 AM

As an adaptive re-use project, MOCA is moving into the old Fire Dept. headquarters on S. Church Ave. this month to begin a $100k renovation ahead of a grand opening in late February:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/newMOCAbldg.jpg
(render: Wedge Studio)

MOCA - Then & Now
By Renee Schafer Horton
Zocalo Tucson magazine
December, 2009

When Julia Latane and James Graham founded Tucson's Museum of Contemporary Art, their budget was the very definition of "shoe-string." "How did we fund it? I think it was the spare change we found in our couch most of the time," Latane recalled. "We had an out-of-town artist coming once who insisted we build crates for her exhibit, which were going to cost $800 and I kept thinking, 'Where are we going to get $800?' We were doing it punk-rock style, and now they're doing it with people who know how to get money. It's grown up."

Indeed, MOCA has evolved. From its determined but meager beginnings on Toole Avenue in 1997, the nonprofit now has a budget of $375,000, financial support from state, national and international arts' commissions, a full plate of exhibitions and public programming, and is moving into a permanent home in the former Tucson Fire Department (TFD) headquarters at 265 S. Church Ave.

Through its expansion, MOCA has never lost sight of the original mission Graham, Latane and fellow founders David Wright and Dave Lewis articulated in the late 1990s: To introduce Tucson's contemporary artists to the art world at large and introduce Tucson to the world's contemporary artists. "We both work with local artists to share their work internationally and bring artists to Tucson to create art, with that work then deployed out into the world," explained Anne-Marie Russell, executive director and chief curator of MOCA.

That deployment was illustrated through work created by New York-based, German-Brazilian artist Janaina Tschape during an April 2008 MOCA residency. When she left Tucson, Tschape exhibited her work in Paris and Tokyo and one of the pieces - a Tucson moonscape - was enlarged and transferred to a banner that hung at the entrance of the Opra Garnier in Paris, advertising a Gustav Mahler symphony. "That's the power of MOCA," Russell said. "It showcases Tucson to the world."

But MOCA is more than just pictures on the walls or sculptures in hallways, said Randi Dorman, president of the museum's board of directors. "We provide programming for all levels, cradle to grave," she said. "We're totally intergenerational, with an art-lecture series, kids making art, teen programs, and author readings, something for everyone. Part of the reason the firehouse is so good for us is the large open spaces; contemporary art is often interactive and needs to be experienced."

MOCA will move to the firehouse in December and commence renovations that Russell said will cost less than $100,000. Half that funding is from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. The fire-truck galleys will be used as a large, open exhibit space, offices in the lower level will be turned into small galleries and a museum gift-shop, the top floor will remain as office space and the center living area once used for firefighters to hang out will become artist studio space. The museum will open to the general public in late February 2010, a year after the city granted MOCA use of the building after the nonprofit was the lone applicant in a Request for Proposals process. Tucsonans who want to get a sneak preview of MOCA's new home can do so at a fundraising gala February 6, which will honor Swiss artist Olivier Mossett.

MOCA will mount a yearlong exhibit in three installations to mark its first year in the firehouse. Those installations, "Born in Tucson, Made in Tucson, Live in Tucson," will feature artists who were born in Tucson, art that was made here or works from artists who now live in the Old Pueblo, Russell explained. The changes to the Tucson contemporary art scene are both impressive and bittersweet to Latan, who moved to Los Angeles with Graham in 2001. "I'm so excited about the permanent space, it is the greatest thing," she said. "And there's so much more money now and MOCA is so much more stable financially. On the other hand, we had a lot more space for local artists, so that vision has been expanded, and there is more of a focus on education and doing things that involve families."

That expansion in emphasis is only natural, Russell said. "When I came on board it was to take the energy those local artists had created and overlay it with the infrastructure of a proper museum," she said. "At their core, museums are educational institutions. We bring what happens in the academy out to the general public. But what (MOCA founders) did is a great demonstration of the glorious ambition of artists and it was a privilege to pick that up and help build an infrastructure for sustainability for local contemporary art."

For more information on MOCA or to purchase tickets for the February opening gala, visit: www.moca-tucson.org.

kaneui

Dec 8, 2009, 5:58 AM

Sandwiched between the historic Julian Drew Building and the 1950's Tiburon Apts. being converted to "The Flats at Julian Drew" condos, the Carriage House building renovation will debut 12 urban-style loft apartments by late 2010 in another historic downtown structure:

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(render: Rob Paulus)

The Carriage House at Julian Drew
By Donovan Durband
Zocalo Tucson magazine
December, 2009

The redevelopment of an old building on Arizona Avenue is shaping up as a very positive case study of investment in public infrastructure leveraging private investment in downtown Tucson. As work continues on the streetscape rework along Broadway Boulevard and 5th Avenue from Broadway to 12th Street, owner/developer Ross Rulney expects to be in construction on the building he calls "the Carriage House" in the first quarter of 2010.

Rulney has owned the Tiburon Apartments on 5th Avenue for several years, and more recently assembled the adjoining warehouse structure and the Julian Drew Building, a National Register property. With eighty residential units in the buildings leased at 95-100%, Rulney is now looking to activate the Carriage House. The proposed renovations will yield twelve high-ceilinged, loft-style apartments. Architect Rob Paulus has designed the space to preserve as much of the existing character as possible, while providing future residents with modern amenities and high-quality, urban-style finishes. Units in this "cool, urban space" will range from 600 to 1,000 square feet, with rents starting at $700. "We should be ready for resident move-in by this time next year," says Rulney.

Since the Carriage House is set back from and not easily viewed from Broadway, it is probably most often viewed as the building one sees dead ahead when moving through the parking lot of Barrio Food and Drink and Etherton Gallery. Its east face is a smooth, orange-painted facade along 5th. Rulney's redo of the Carriage House is to be integrated with the renovation of the historic Julian Drew Building, just to the north. Courtyards with new landscaping will enhance two apartment units in the southwest corner of Julian Drew, behind what Rulney hopes will be a restaurant space occupying the northwest corner, where architect Bil Taylor was a long-time tenant.

Streetscape improvements in front of Julian Drew on Broadway and along 5th Avenue will enhance the block with widened sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation, pedestrian and street lighting, and diagonal parking along 5th Avenue. Those improvements were to be paired with the beautification of Arizona Avenue from Congress to 12th Street, per commitments made by the City of Tucson several years ago. Rulney is philosophical about the down-sizing of the public improvements; "Things change, and economic conditions have been difficult, so I get that," he says. He's grateful for the City's work on Broadway and 5th, but says that the Carriage House conversion will not be possible without needed fix-ups on Arizona Avenue, particularly near the building itself.

The project is contingent on the relocation of the unsightly power lines and transformers that frame the west face of the building along Arizona Avenue. Rulney is hopeful that Tucson Electric Power Company, which now owns the Santa Rita block just to the west, will cooperate with the utility relocation. The electrical equipment is not merely an eyesore; its removal is necessary for Rulney to secure a building permit on the improvements that are planned. Rulney is excited about the project moving forward, and believes that the perception of living in and bringing new businesses to Downtown is moving in the right direction. "The interest level in Downtown retail is changing dramatically for the better," says Rulney.

kaneui

Dec 8, 2009, 9:23 AM

With Rio Nuevo coffers depleted, Tucson is using regional road repair funds to build the Cushing St. bridge over the Santa Cruz River, which is necessary to complete the new streetcar line to its western terminus:

Repaving funds shifting to bridge
$13M for Rio Nuevo span; city says it has US dollars for roads

By Rob O'Dell
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
November 22, 2009

Nearly $13 million earmarked to repave Tucson streets over the next four years will be redirected to build the Cushing Street Bridge across the Santa Cruz River, linking downtown to the west side of Rio Nuevo. The bridge, which Rio Nuevo was supposed to pay for until the district ran out of money, provides additional access to the museums and other Rio Nuevo attractions west of the river, the bulk of which the city no longer has the money to build. City officials say street resurfacing won't suffer because Tucson got nearly $14 million in federal stimulus money for street paving, allowing them to divert $13 million in Pima Association of Government funds to the bridge, rather than spending the entire $27 million on road repairs.

They said the bridge is needed to carry the modern streetcar over the river to the west side of Rio Nuevo. The city still needs to win congressional approval for the federal 50 percent share of the $150 million-plus streetcar line from the University of Arizona through downtown to the west side, although the Federal Transit Administration has authorized its final design. Not completing the bridge could jeopardize federal funds for the streetcar, Councilwoman Shirley Scott said. Still, Scott she was troubled by the move and wished the council had been notified before it was submitted to PAG. She said there's no guarantee the city will get the federal money for the streetcar, and that $27 million worth of paving "could do a lot of good on our streets and roads."

The $13 million fund transfer is regional money available from PAG, whose regional council is to take a final vote on the shift Dec. 10. Two PAG committees have already blessed the the city's request to shift the funds. But Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said he's not sure the county supports the transfer, given the cost of the bridge and the fact that the money comes from aregional pool. Huckelberry said all jurisdictions needed to apply for the PAG money, and added that maybe all available transportation money should be reallocated if the city gets approval. "Money should be moved around carefully," he said.

If the PAG council approves, the expenditure would go to the City Council for a vote. But three current or future council members questioned why they never heard of the transfer until they were contacted by the Star. Transportation Director Jim Glock said he put out a memo to the council in August about it. The memo included three lines about the bridge construction costs, and did not mention anything about using street-paving money to pay for it. The city has already spent $1.5 million on the bridge, designing it four different times, and putting it out to bid twice because the first bid didn't use a federally compliant contracting process. Although the bridge was originally to be finished by September 2009, because of federal permits that are needed, construction won't start until November 2010 and will last a year, just ahead of when planners hope to have the streetcar running.

After Rio Nuevo ran out of money, Glock said in August the city was seeking federal money to finish the bridge, never mentioning stimulus as a possible source. He said the bridge wasn't eligible for stimulus because it was not "shovel ready." On Thursday, Glock said the city can divert some street paving funds because stimulus money can take their place. Mayor Bob Walkup said he heard of the fund transfer only Friday, but he said he supports it because the city has struggled to find a way to pay for the bridge, which is needed for the streetcar. "The modern streetcar to west side is what's right for the community," Walkup said.

The Federal Transit Administration sent a letter to the city in September allowing it to start final design, and requesting quarterly reports on the progress on Cushing Street, as well as how it will be funded. Among council members contacted by the Star, Scott and Rodney Glassman — through his aides — questioned the transfer. Only Regina Romero and Nina Trasoff said they had heard about it before this week. Romero, who represents the west side, said the streetcar and the bridge are an important way to draw in private development to the area. She said using the PAG regional money makes sense because there are fewer strings attached to it than stimulus dollars. Developer Jerry Dixon, who is involved with two large projects on the west side, including one where the final streetcar stop would be located, said the private development on the west side desperately needs the bridge and the streetcar. "The bridge and the streetcar are the real game changers over there," he said.

Trasoff said she would love to use the money to pave streets, but building the bridge is a "greater good" because it allows the streetcar to be built. Plus, she said, building the bridge will create more jobs than paving streets. "The modern streetcar is the backbone of redevelopment" not just for downtown but for the University of Arizona, Trasoff said. But Steve Kozachik, who beat Trasoff in the November elections to take her council seat, said he was troubled by the city's lack of public disclosure of the transfer, adding many Tucsonans would rather have road paving than the Cushing Street bridge. "I'm troubled by it," Kozachik said. "I'm concerned about the transparency aspect."

kaneui

Dec 9, 2009, 11:09 PM

As the first phase of downtown's mixed-use Plaza Centro project, the city could begin construction on a 400-space parking garage by next summer, including ground-floor retail and three stories of residential over the garage:

Plaza Centro garage plans should be set by Jan.
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
December 09, 2009

Initial design work will determine by the end of January if a Plaza Centro garage can be built for the budgeted $5.5 million, said city ParkWise parking coordinator Chris Leighton. The retail-commercial-housing Plaza Centro has been a vision of local developer Jim Campbell for more than four years, but had to wait for the new Fourth Avenue Underpass to be open to move ahead. The city in November brought on D.L. Withers Construction of Phoenix as construction manager at risk to determine a guaranteed maximum price for a four-level, roughly 400-space, above-ground garage. It would be located between Toole Avenue and the railroad tracks just south of the underpass. “Toward the end of January, we can make a go or no-go decision for the project,” Leighton said.

If the project is a go, Leighton wants to start construction in summer 2010 and have the garage, retail and possibly housing done by summer 2011. ParkWise would pay for the garage with certificates of participation, and the private sector would ultimately pay for the housing and retail components. “There’s a good possibility the entire project would be built at one time by one contractor.”

ParkWise could front the cost of the whole project and then sell the housing and retail spaces, but Leighton said precisely what would be built and who would pay for it up front will be worked out by the end of January. The initial design calls for retail spaces on the ground level of the garage – similar to Café Poca Cosa at the Pennington Street Garage – and a three-story housing structure on top of the garage, Leighton said. Leighton said retail tenants and a housing operator are lined up but he would not disclose their names because nobody has signed agreements yet. The garage is being designed by Los Angeles architect Aleks Istanbullu, who also designed the Fourth Avenue Underpass and Pedestrian Bridge, which essentially will become part of Plaza Centro. The underpass is displayed on Istanbullu’s home page. Campbell’s Plaza Centro vision also includes the former Greyhound site between Toole Avenue and the Hotel Congress, but the Greyhound site is not part of this phase, Leighton said.

kaneui

Dec 11, 2009, 8:57 PM

With the Fox Theatre and other underperforming city venues failing to generate more patrons and foot traffic, new City Councilman Kozachik has hired former Tucson Downtown Alliance director Donovan Durband to work with local merchants on downtown issues:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/FoxTheatre-sidewalk.jpg
Two of the three restaurants on the Fox Theater
Block have been sold.
(photo: Joe Pangburn)

'Fox Block' restaurants wonder, where are the crowds?
By Roger Yohem
Inside Tucson Business
December 11, 2009

Despite a reported increase in attendance at the Fox Tucson Theatre downtown, owners of two of the three adjacent restaurants catering to diners have sold their businesses. Their hoped-for spike in customers from more events at the theater hasn’t happened. Shannon Reilly sold Enoteca, 58 W. Congress St., Oct. 15 for an undisclosed price to a trio of new owners: Christian Encinas, Rene Knechtle and Jose Valenzuela. Robert Wadlow sold his Subway franchise, at 29 W. Congress St., in late November to another franchisee for $400,000. “With all the talk and excitement about the Fox, I thought we’d see more business. It didn’t happen. Instead of attracting young people with concerts, they’ve done mostly old movies that draw mostly older folks,” said Wadlow, who was a founder of the Downtown Tucson Merchant Association, which no longer exists. The 1,164-seat Fox Theater, 17 W. Congress St., is owned by Rio Nuevo and operated by the nonprofit Fox Foundation.

Besides Enoteca and Subway, the “Fox Block” restaurant neighbors are Bruegger’s Bagels, 1 W. Congress St., which isn’t open in the evenings, and Caffé Milano, 46 W. Congress St. Carlo Borella, owner Caffé Milano, said he believes there also needs to be more events at the Tucson Convention Center. Then, city leaders should “welcome and fast-track” more apartments and condos for downtown. “No one downtown can make a living only off government workers,” Borella said. “If they build apartments, everyone will want to be in business here.” Enoteca’s Encinas went to Tucson High School and says he “grew up downtown,” waiting for his mom to get off work at the city’s Street Department. He mostly “hung out” in pizza joints and today has a high comfort level with the downtown scene. “We know a lot about the crowds already here,” he said. “With all the changes coming, the new construction, investing in downtown suits us. We’re not expecting any help from the city. Opening here, we knew we had to rely on ourselves.”

The Fox Theatre is one of four city-owned performance venues downtown, all within walking distance of one another. The other properties are the convention center, Leo Rich Theater, and Tucson Music Hall. Each is capable of hosting similar events, depending on the size of the audience. Since reopening in 2005, the Fox has struggled to find its entertainment niche. Rich Singer, executive director of the Fox, released statistics for 2007 showing there were 107 events at the facility drawing 47,853 attendees. In 2008, there were 115 events that drew 38,147 people. Many of last year’s events were showings of old films that drew light crowds, such as “The Wizard of Oz,” attended by only 369 people; “Benji,” which drew only 76 people and “Flashdance,” which had only 54 attendees. The 2008 tally of 115 events also included 12 tours, some for as few as three people. The biggest crowds came for live concerts by Jackson Browne and Aesop Fables TheatreWorks, each of which drew more than 1,000 people. And the Banff Film Festival drew in 1,060 patrons. For 2009, Singer projects the year will end with 110 events attracting 46,000 people. Several attempts over a week’s time to reach Singer to discuss the numbers proved unsuccessful.

That type of disconnect between city officials and business is an example of the frustration operating downtown. Wadlow first noted the apathy in December 2005 when Nina Trasoff took over the city council seat formerly held by Fred Ronstadt, who had served two four-year terms. (That seat changed again Dec. 7 when Steve Kozachik was sworn-in replacing Trasoff.) When Trasoff came in, Wadlow said the concerns of downtown businesses were “basically ignored” by City Hall. That triggered the formation of the merchant association. “I guess we merchants were spoiled by Fred,” Wadlow said. “In his tenure, he was available. We’d see him often. He was a regular face on Congress, he is greatly missed. I hope the new member can be more like Ronstadt than Trasoff.”

As director of the association, Wadlow delivered a menu of concerns to the city council. Collectively, they requested an open dialog, improved security to keep panhandlers from harassing customers, cleaner streets, a promotional partnership to link downtown businesses with city-owned venues, and to create some type of master plan for revitalization within Rio Nuevo. “It was like we weren’t even here,” Wadlow said. “We didn’t see or hear from Nina until it was too little, too late. And that happened only after we merchants clearly conveyed to her a dirty little word, recall.” As Wadlow leaves downtown, he is clearly bitter about his experiences. As a parting shot, he offered some advice on how Congress Street should be developed. Urban shopping districts follow proven business models mixing retail, food, entertainment, parking and security for customers. That template should be applied to the whole of downtown, he said. When planning, the city should view its inner core as a large, multi-merchant complex and revitalize downtown as a shopping destination. “Start off by making Congress Street the Food Court Row,” he said. “Make it a mix of styles and tastes, that concept would help all restaurants.”

New councilman Kozachik is quite aware of the issues outlined by Wadlow. He plans to address merchant concerns and has designated new staff member Donovan Durband as their advocate. Durband has experience handling these types of issues from his years as director of the Tucson Downtown Alliance. “I wanted to hire someone who has skin in the game to work with them, with ties to local business,” Kozachik said. “First, downtown has to be safe and clean. Then, add more events. When people get into the habit of going there, more foot traffic, merchants will thrive.” He said he also would like to launch a more coordinated marketing effort linking the city’s four entertainment facilities as a package to potential renters. “Right now, the Fox just cannibalizes events from those other places,” he said. Kozachik said he would like to follow Ronstadt’s lead, to walk the streets and reach out to businesses, but he couldn’t promise that will happen immediately as he learns the ropes of being a new council member.

He suggested perhaps the new restaurant owners, along with merchants on East Congress Street, can bury the past and establish their own rapport with city management. Hopefully, they could influence the council and city staffers to be more proactive. “In their current reactive state, council only acts when a major decision is needed. That creates lots of drama. We need to eliminate some of the drama with proactive, good policy making,” said Kozachik. “For too long, the council’s problem has been trying to hit too many home runs. What we need are a string of singles and doubles that will pay off over time.” Caffe Milano’s Borella agreed with Enoteca’s Encinas their businesses will have to survive on their own merits. And like Wadlow, Borella is not pleased with the Fox’s recent bookings. He said Herb Stratford, former director of the Fox, attracted “real crowds” because he understood how the entertainment-dining relationship benefited both parties. “When the city put their people in there, it went down,” Borella said. “The restaurant business is like gambling, you have to know what you’re doing. My investment in this place is my own money. The Fox has someone else’s money, they don’t have any risk.”

kaneui

Dec 11, 2009, 9:23 PM

A new consortium is asking local municipalities to fund infrastructure improvements for a new high tech business corridor on the southeast side:

UA, Diamond Ventures, Century Park propose 2,000-acre Tucson Tech Corridor
By Joe Pangburn
Inside Tucson Business
December 11, 2009

Coming soon: the Tucson Tech Corridor. It will be on more than 2,000 acres along Interstate 10 on the southeast side currently represented by the University of Arizona, Diamond Ventures and Century Research Business Park. The group is planning to launch a large-scale national and international marketing campaign in the spring to attract companies in five key areas:

• Aerospace

• Transportation and logistics

• Renewable energy and solar

• Biosciences and biotechnology

• Border security

“It is pretty extraordinary for this group to come together to promote the area over our individual interests,” said Bruce Wright, associate vice president of university research parks at the UA. “And while we are the main three, we are engaging many of the 60 to 70 employers within our properties that are behind this effort as well.” The consortium of the UA’s Office of University Research Parks, Diamond Ventures and Century Research Business Park are asking the City of Tucson, Pima County, Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO) to back their development plans. That backing includes requests for improvements that will cost money, such as infrastructure improvements and development of the Julian Wash Linear Park. But just as important, the consortium wants to raise awareness for a Tucson Tech Corridor and what it can mean to economic development. “Our immediate focus is on Rita Road,” Wright said. “If we are going to be known as a premier destination for high-tech companies we should look like it with a wide road with bike lanes and sidewalks. We need a large sign entering into the area setting it apart. We need to make it a showpiece into the park.”

To that end, the consortium is asking for improvements to Kolb, Valencia and Rita roads and Science Park Drive – which runs east and west through the UA Science and Tech Park from Kolb to Rita roads. PAG is reviewing a $3 million request for much of the improvements to Rita Road. The consortium didn’t have cost estimates for the other road improvements. The linear park is seen as something that would help existing businesses within the corridor as a benefit to attract and keep employees. The 2.7-mile-long park would extend along the north side of the tech park from Rita to Kolb roads. For several years however, there has been no action on the park. This $3.7 million project has been slated to be paid for by Pima County bond funds and built by the City of Tucson since 2004.

David Welsh, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for TREO, said he applauded the efforts of the consortium to come together to market the area. “They have a lot of potential to get things done,” Welsh said. “We’re going to see where we can help them move forward.” Alan Levin, owner of Century Park Research Center and the Port of Tucson, said that while the three entities of the consortium might compete on some projects, new companies on any of the properties in the tech corridor would grow its importance. “I’m the low-tech end of this with logistics,” Levin said. “But if you are going to manufacture something high-tech, you have to ship it out somewhere or get your products in somehow. We all bring something different to the table so we really aren’t competing.”

The consortium presented its request to the Tucson Mayor and Council at its Dec. 7 meeting and Wright said he was heartened by the response it received. Councilwoman Regina Romero said she sees the necessity for strategic infrastructure improvement. In their first meeting on the city council, Steve Kozachick and Richard Fimbres said this was a positive for Tucson. “I think it’s an important project I want to hear some more information about,” Fimbres said. “These are some of the things we need to look at so we can get more for our dollar.” Kozachik said this is exactly the kind of effort the city should get behind. “This is an investment, not a cost,” Kozachik said. “If we want to be attractive to the private sector which will feed the budget, we need to pursue things like this. It will more than pay for itself.” He said the project could help the entire Tucson region. “Irrespective of where it occurs, this kind of thing helps us all,” Kozachik said. “Isn’t it amazing, from the last two months of the campaign to now people are finding out ‘business friendly’ aren’t such bad words after all.”

kaneui

Dec 11, 2009, 9:42 PM

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(photo: Zocalo Tucson magazine)

A Steak in the Neighborhood
By ZT Staff
December 7, 2009

The new downtown restaurant, A Steak in the Neighborhood located at 135 E. Congress St., opened its doors on November 20. Entrées include internationally flavored filets, burritos, sandwiches, Philly Cheese Steaks and Chicken Marsala. Appetizers, soups and salads are available, along with a full bar. Open Monday-Friday from 11am-3pm for lunch with dinner served Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights starting at 6pm.

kaneui

Dec 12, 2009, 11:00 AM

Fenton buys 15-17-19 E. Toole for $512,000
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
December 11, 2009

Downtown property owner Steven Fenton had the winning bid of $512,000 for a trio of state-owned warehouses at 15-17-19 E. Toole Ave. at an auction on Dec. 11. Fenton in a Nov. 10 auction won the neighboring Solar Culture warehouse, 31 E. Toole Ave. for $101,000. At that time, Fenton had made a deal with the Warehouse Arts Management Organization to sell the Solar Culture warehouse to WAMO for his winning bid price if he won the 15-17-19 E. Toole property. Fenton did not wish to immediately discuss the WAMO agreement, nor did he elaborate on his plans for 15-17-19 E. Toole other than to say “the immediate plan is to keep the existing tenants. That’s the best I can tell you right away.” Astro Fab and artist singer Salvador Duran occupy two of those three warehouses.

Bidding started at $265,000, the appraised value, but Fenton found himself in an unexpected bidding duel with local cardiologist Darren Peress, who extended the auction to nearly a half hour with back-and-forth bidding at largely $1,000 increments. “I just want to be part of development Downtown,” Peress said. He did not have specific intention for the triple warehouse other than “just the kind of place that would attract locals and visitors.”

The Dec. 11 auction completed the Arizona Department of Transportation’s ambition to sell all the warehouses it owns on Toole Ave. between Stone and Seventh avenues. Zee’s Warehouse, 1 E. Toole, the 15-17-19 group, and Solar Culture are one adjoining strip with a shared fire suppression system. Peach Properties purchased Zee’s Warehouse in a Nov. 6 ADOT auction for $252,000. The initial plan was to have art galleries, especially Dinnerware Artspace, occupy Zee’s. Patricia Schwabe of Peach said art galleries remain a prime focus but she is also looking at putting a restaurant into the 9,800-sqaure foot warehouse. “It will definitely have to be mixed use,” Schwabe said. “Hopefully, it will be a restaurant, some place that will generate traffic to subsidize the other users.” Schwabe wants to have occupants in Zee’s by summer, but the warehouse will need extensive rehabilitation that she estimates at a minimum of $300,000.

Other warehouses ADOT has on the market are RISE Recycling, 119 E. Toole, an empty warehouse at 546 N. Stone Ave. and another warehouse at 450 N. Stone Ave. No offers have been made on these warehouses, but interested parties have toured them, ADOT spokeswoman Teresa Welborn said.

kaneui

Dec 12, 2009, 11:12 AM

Negotiations with three prospective companies are underway for UA's planned Bioscience Park:

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Despite no commitments, UA bio park kicks into gear
By Josh Brodesky
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.12.2009

The University of Arizona has broken ground on infrastructure for its planned Bioscience Park on the south side, but what development comes next, or when it comes, remains unclear and potentially years away. The infill project at South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street has no commitments yet from any tech companies. Meanwhile, planned residential and retail projects related to the bio park have stalled in the downturn, as well. And Bruce Wright, the UA's associate vice president of economic development, said the bio park's planning and development horizon is 15 to 20 years out. Still, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to celebrate the start of basic infrastructure improvements to the bio park's 54-acre site, which is part of a larger 350-acre residential and commercial project called The Bridges. Through a $4.7 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration, construction has started for some roads, utilities and landscaping on the bio park's portion of the project.

"This step is really important because within 10 or 11 months we will have the park development ready," Wright said during a news conference before the groundbreaking ceremony. Wright said the infrastructure needs to be put in before any company will commit to the Bioscience Park. While there have been no commitments yet, he said the university is in talks with three prospective companies, which he could not disclose because of confidentiality agreements. "This is a very challenging time economically, and the fact that we have three serious companies interested in the park I think speaks to the importance and the possibility that this park holds," he said.

While the technology and bioscience industries have remained relatively strong through the downturn, housing and retail have not, and Wright acknowledged that it could be a while until any housing development planned with KB Home and Lennar happens at the bio park. Plans call for 600 homes. "The biggest chilling effect has been on the residential component for The Bridges. There is no single family residential development happening in town," Wright said. "We don't know when that market is going to turn back up and that residential development will move forward." But he said the retail component, which is developed by Eastbourne Investments Ltd., is slowly coming along. "Eastbourne currently is in final negotiations with a major retailer to come to this project," he said, adding that he could not disclose the retailer because of a confidentiality agreement.

Lincoln Property Co. was announced Friday as the development partner for the project. Lincoln has a presence in more than 200 cities around the world and a West regional office in Phoenix. Peter Douglas, of Tucson-based Picor Commercial Real Estate Services, which is also on the development team, said there is a need for bioscience lab space in Tucson. "There fundamentally is no vacancy in bioscience space," Douglas said. The development plan for the bioscience park calls for up to 2.4 million square feet in laboratory and office space, a science and technical high school connected to Tucson Unified School District, a hotel and conference center and university housing.

kaneui

Dec 14, 2009, 11:20 PM

An environmental consulting firm has settled into a century-old adobe building in Barrio Viejo, stripping away the 1950's facade of a former market on S. Meyer Ave.:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/HaleyAldrichrehab.jpg http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/LeeHoMarket.jpg
(photos: Haley & Aldrich)

Consulting firm finds way to fit in to Barrio Viejo
by Teya Vitu
December 14, 2009
Downtown Tucsonan

They go to work in a century-old adobe building with zero automotive hustle and bustle outside on the street. Haley & Aldrich since March 1 has had its 13-employee office in the heart of Barrio Viejo, which is heavily influenced with Mexican architecture and neighborhood spirit. The contrast could not be more startling from the firm’s prior location on Wilmot Road across from Park Place. “It’s more relaxing,” senior hydrologist Laura Davis said. “I get to see monsoon storms come up. I get to see the neighbors walking their dogs.”

Haley & Aldrich seamlessly married historic and modern as it invested $2.2 million to restore the former Jerry’s Lee Ho Market, 600 S. Meyer Ave. The company stripped away the dilapidated 1950s blue tile façade to reveal the original 1900 brick façade on the structure’s right half (the original market) and plastered façade on the left half (once a carniceria). The 1900 street-front look meshes with the 240 solar panels on the roofs of the building and covered parking that produce more electricity than Haley & Aldrich uses. The roof also harvests enough rain water to keep the underground storage tanks full to the brim – far more water than needed to keep the desert landscaping green, said Sheldon Clark, Haley & Aldrich’s vice president. “This neighborhood, more so than many others, has its roots in our colonial history,” Clark said. “We wanted to preserve the cultural diversity and still create a vibrant place.”

The high-ceilinged interior is as modern as it is 110 years old. One wall is bare brick, chipped with marks made over the course of a century. A central adobe wall that separates the open cubicle area from the back offices meanders off the straight line. Ten solar tubes provide nearly all the lighting for the offices, a cool but abundant daylight. A mountain bike bought at the mostly outdoor Five Points Bicycle a few blocks over on Stone Avenue serves as “the company vehicle.” The entire roof needed to be replaced. Haley & Aldrich recycled the rafters by having Aqui Esta in the Lost Barrio custom make ornate conference room furniture. Right by the main entrance is an 8-by-18-foot mural with Barrio Viejo scenes painted by artist Johanna Martinez, who lives across the street.

Boston-based Haley & Aldrich has 23 offices nationwide split into three groups: industrial and environmental; energy and infrastructure; and real estate. The Tucson office is in the first group, and it has scientists and engineers working on industrial cleanup projects in southern Arizona and southern California. The Tucson office is the first one the company has owned in its 51-year history. The goal was to create an environmentally sound office. “It’s walking the talk,” Clark said. “The power of this building is you can showcase sustainability goals and objectives and still honor culture and history. We don’t have to live in glass and stainless steel buildings.”

Clark said the Lee Ho Market structure is a model for sustainable energy use that any commercial building can adopt, because he insists there’s nothing special about his building. He also sees Haley & Aldrich’s renovation of vacant, historic property as more a model for Downtown revitalization than massive projects. “If you’d have 100 projects like this, $3 million projects, you’d have Rio Nuevo,” Clark said. Behind the brick façade there are 1,088 square feet available for a merchant who wants to open a small market or café. And there are 2,366 square feet of upstairs office space available for lease. “It’s gonna define the place,” Clark said about the streetfront space. “We want it to be a convenience market, a coffee shop, something that will serve as a social hub of sorts.”

Clark said there was some apprehension about moving from Wilmot to Downtown because of Wilmot’s central location and Downtown’s confusing streets. “What we have discovered is this is a far easier location to get to,” Clark said. Chemist Katherine Miller and environmental scientist Regina Mullen lived close to the Wilmot office, but they don’t mind the commute Downtown. “It has more personality,” Miller said about Barrio Viejo. “When I walk to lunch, people will talk to me.” “It’s nice to walk around the neighborhood,” Mullen said. “It’s nice to see more of the unique flavor of the neighborhood. I’m more interested in the restaurants around here (than on Wilmot).”

Staff even wanted to come to the office on the Fourth of July, and ended up grilling hot dogs outside and watching fireworks with the neighbors. “The thing that has amazed me in our move here is how the staff has enjoyed being part of the neighborhood,” Clark said. Haley & Aldrich joined the Barrio Viejo Neighborhood Association, and Clark regularly chats with neighborhood icon Don Rollings. The neighborhood association’s president, Pedro Gonzales, routinely has skepticism any time outsiders have eyes on Barrio Viejo, but he quickly warmed up to Haley & Aldrich. “They are really nice people,” Gonzales said. “They came to our meeting and said they want to be our neighbors. They actually have been good neighbors.”

Haley & Aldrich

600 S. Meyer Ave.

• Founded: 1957, New England

• Locations: 23 offices nationwide, 400+ employees; 13 in Tucson

• Business: Engineering and environmental consulting

• Info: haleyaldrich.com

kaneui

Dec 15, 2009, 8:40 PM

Rio Nuevo directors likely to be locals
Governor, legislative leaders not inclined to go out of area

By Rob O'Dell
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.15.2009

Only five of nine appointees to the new Rio Nuevo board must be from Southern Arizona, but officials from the Legislature and the Governor's Office said they will pick mostly — if not all — locals. Senate President Bob Burns, R-Peoria, said he would consider only candidates from Southern Arizona to fill the board because "it doesn't make sense" to pick board members from elsewhere. "It's a Tucson deal; that would be the place to pick from," Burns said. Brian Townsend, a policy analyst for the Republican majority in the House of Representatives, said Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, likely won't appoint anyone from outside Southern Arizona either, given that no one from outside Tucson has expressed interest.

Gov. Jan Brewer's spokesman, Paul Senseman, said the governor has not committed to selecting all residents of Southern Arizona. But Brewer is required to make three of her five picks city of Tucson residents. That means at least seven of the nine new board members would be from Southern Arizona if Adams and Burns both pick Tucson residents with their two selections. All three said they plan to make selections before the end of the month, from applicants who have sent résumés to their offices. Burns and Townsend both said they plan to rely heavily on Southern Arizona legislators for advice on their selections. Townsend said that could mean Republicans or Democrats.The three offices are likely to coordinate before finalizing their picks, Townsend said.

About a half-dozen résumés came to the speaker's office, Townsend said. About 60 applications have gone to the Governor's Office, Senseman said. All of the new board members must have experience in commercial real estate, construction redevelopment, real-estate law, architecture, economic development or finance. There's no pay, but directors of the district may be reimbursed for some travel expenses. Although nine new members will be appointed to the board, it initially will have 13 members, because the legislation allows the four incumbent board members to serve the remainder of their terms, which expire in mid-2011. The current board members are Anne-Marie Russell, executive director of the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art; Jeff DiGregorio, owner of the Royal Elizabeth Bed and Breakfast; former Pima County Supervisor Dan Eckstrom; and former state Sen. Victor Soltero.

The Rio Nuevo redevelopment district spent about $200 million in tax-increment financing money downtown with little to show for it, leading the Legislature to approve reforms for the district. The reforms restrict where what's left of the district's anticipated $500 million in receipts can be spent to the design and construction of a hotel and convention center, paying off bonds, and fulfilling contracts that predate June 1. It also requires the auditor general to conduct a performance audit of the district every three years, along with an annual financial audit, and requires the district to develop a searchable database to help taxpayers track spending.

Locofresh55

Dec 18, 2009, 4:20 AM

Locofresh55

Dec 18, 2009, 4:23 AM

Here is the article from the Vail District Website:

LINK: http://www.vail.k12.az.us/spotlight/vailacademy.htm

Vail Academy To Open In July 2010

The Vail School District prides itself in offering unique and engaging educational opportunities, while maintaining high expectations for students and staff.

The district realizes that not all students are alike and not all families envision the same kind of educational experiences. That being said, the end goal in every case is the same - to provide students with opportunities to learn and grow; to give them the education that they need to become productive, compassionate, and intelligent leaders in society. The route to that goal, however, may look very different for every student.

Those seeking a personalized environment on a small campus may find what they are looking for in the district’s all-new Vail Academy, opening in July of 2010.

Vail Academy (K-8) will join the already-established Vail High School on a brand new campus. The K-12 model will allow Vail families to potentially send all of their children to school at one location.

The K-12 school will house 225 K-8 students (approximately 25 students in each grade) and 225 high school students, bringing the total population up to 450.

The Vail Academy & High School campus will be located between Rita Road and Kolb Road on the north side of 1-10, on the property of the University of Arizona Science & Technology Park. K-6 classrooms will be on one side and 7-12 classrooms will be on the other.

Enrollment packets will be available at Vail High School and on the VHS website (www.vailhs.net), beginning December 1st. Vail School District residents will have until March 1st, 2010, to enroll. Non-residents can turn in packets after December 1st, but will only be considered if there are still openings after March 1st. As with all public schools, there is no cost to attend.

Principal Dennis Barger explained that, “Part of the focus of the new K-8 Academy will be to prepare kids for Vail High School. We plan on having a strong academic program and will likely emphasize math, science, and engineering.”

Barger is excited about the possibilities, “I believe that the older students will be terrific role models for the younger students. Our school will have a ‘family feel’ that is more difficult to attain at larger schools. As such, we are going to have very high expectations for our students AND their families when it comes to achievement and involvement.”

kaneui

Dec 18, 2009, 7:37 AM

Although Scott Stiteler and Don Martin claim the city owes them nearly a million dollars from a failed downtown development deal, they may have a hard time arguing their case in court, since the developer that prompted the city to make the deal (Williams & Dame) has since left town (and the partnership):

Developers file claim against city for $950K
By Rob O'Dell
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.18.2009

Developers Scott Stiteler and Don Martin have filed a claim against the city for $950,000 over their failed negotiations to get $4 million in city land in exchange for $1.7 million worth of developer improvements downtown. Stiteler and City Attorney Mike Rankin both said the claim was procedural, filed to meet a deadline. A previous deal made by the city stipulated the the city could owe the developers up to $950,000 in damages — because it gave the two sides six months to make a deal. The six months to sign an agreement expired in June. "This is not a surprise they filed the claim and we're continuing to talk to them," Rankin said. He said the city has 60 days to respond to the claim, which is the precursor to a lawsuit. Stiteler said the claim was filed because of a statutory deadline. "We continue to work with the city to resolve the claim in a reasonable fashion and look forward to building projects downtown to be a part of its continued success," Stiteler said.

Stiteler and Martin pulled out of negotiations with the city after the City Council delayed approval of the agreement in June. The deal would have given the the developers $4 million in city land as an incentive to speed retail development of several properties they own Downtown. In addition to completing 20,000 square feet of retail development in five years, the developers would have had to give $1.7 million to Downtown cultural organizations. Included in the deal were accommodations for the Rialto Theatre, which used space owned by Stiteler and Martin for free. The Rialto Theatre Board opposed Stiteler and Martin's deal with the city, and the developers moved to evict the Rialto from the space after negotiations fell through. After the two sides went to court, the Rialto and the developers signed a one-year lease for the space in late August.

kaneui

Dec 18, 2009, 6:01 PM

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The Serenity pool inside the spa area of the newly completed Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
(photo: A.E. Araiza)

Ritz-Carlton opens in Marana
By Dale Quinn
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.18.2009

The Tucson area now has its Ritz-Carlton, but locals need not don white gloves and top hats to visit the posh resort. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, which is holding its grand opening today, has a distinctly Southwestern feel. "The hotel is elegant but relaxed, refined yet casual," said Allan Federer, the general manager of the resort and spa. When visitors enter the lobby of the resort, they'll immediately gaze out upon the rocky, saguaro-studded Tortolita Mountains. Abstract paintings, with maroon, purple and burnt-orange color splotches, hang above leather chairs and grainy wood decor. Hohokam petroglyphs, painted on rocks by American Indians hundreds of years ago, are visible to those who lounge poolside at the 17,000-square-foot spa. To highlight Arizona's geology, the hotel was designed with flagstone and quartzite floors, raw steel fixtures, copper accents, and minerals like geodes and quartz crystal. Woven leather accents the elevators, and colored stones set in saguaro skeletons decorate an area of the spa.

The cost for a night's stay in the 250-room resort, at 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive in Marana, will vary, Federer said. But it currently ranges from $289 a night to as much as $2,000 for a full casita with three or four bathrooms. Walking from the lobby, down a staircase with leather handrails, reveals the signature restaurant, CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, where diners can see directly into the kitchen and interact with Chef de Cuisine Joel Harrington. The resort has three restaurants. Harrington said it's the level of service that distinguishes The Ritz-Carlton from other resorts. The chef said he has a passion for food he shares with his staffers, and since he's moved here from Dallas in January he's been inspired by Southern Arizona's natural beauty. "I really want the world traveler to see what we have here that they can't get anywhere else," Harrington said. The chef said he's created menu items specifically inspired by the location, including a chili-lacquered New York steak with nopal relish, avocado fries and poblano sauce. Outside the resort sits a family-oriented pool with splash pad and a 235-foot water slide, along with the pool-side restaurant Turquesa Latin Grill.

Jonathan Walker, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that when it comes to attracting business groups to Tucson the resort adds "another bullet to our gun, and it gives a chance to really go after those high-end groups." While Tucson has several resorts throughout the area, the market hasn't been saturated, Walker said. "We don't have anything of this level of luxury," he said. The Ritz is still recognized as a top-tier brand in the leisure business, he said. "It really elevates our status to have that kind of luxury brand name associated with our destination," Walker said.

Still, Maribel Alvarez, an assistant research social scientist at the University of Arizona's Southwest Center, said such a high-end resort can provide a "mixed bag" of benefits. "It's really one of those situations where we, as a community, are hard pressed to determine what are the real benefits," Alvarez said. When it comes to economic benefits, Alvarez said she is skeptical about whether they would spread to many sectors outside the luxury market. Tucson does already have high-end resorts, she noted, so it can be difficult to get excited about a new one while there are continuing home foreclosures and potential layoffs of city staffers. But resorts can forge valuable partnerships with local nonprofits and artists, Alvarez said. Nevertheless, on Thursday there was a high level of energy among staffers at the resort northwest of Tucson.

The Ritz-Carlton has hired about 300 employees and is continuing to add more staffers, said Federer, the general manager. It's running about 50 percent occupancy in January and 60 to 65 percent in February, largely because of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. There are significant group bookings in March and April, he said. And while all Ritz-Carlton resorts strive to establish a sense of place, the one in Dove Mountain sets that bar, Federer said. "We consider this hotel to be a brand builder," he said.

Locofresh55

Dec 19, 2009, 11:54 PM

Ritz-Carlton might take a hit in February if seNor tiger doesn't show up. Supposedly Tiger has a house near dove mountain that he uses for the World Match Play but I'm sure some of the other golfers will use the casitas at the Ritz-Carlton. Who knows :shrug: ??

kaneui

Dec 22, 2009, 7:59 PM

Pima County is requesting more oversight on the upcoming construction of the streetcar project, although the city of Tucson says adequate controls are already in place:

Independent streetcar review is sought
By Rhonda Bodfield
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.22.2009

Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is seeking an independent, third-party review of Tucson's modern-streetcar project, saying he wants to be sure the construction stays on time and under budget. In a memo to Gary Hayes, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority, Huckelberry said he was echoing the concerns of Supervisor Ramon Valadez that the project needs to come in on time, on budget and without additional revenues. The streetcar is slated to run on a four-mile route from University Medical Center through the University of Arizona to North Fourth Avenue and across the Santa Cruz River, west of downtown. The project is too important to fail, Huckelberry said. Without it, he said, there's little hope of integrating the UA into downtown and luring student housing to the downtown area. That's why it's so important that the project be completed under the deadline laid out in the Regional Transportation Plan, he wrote, suggesting that an independent party would "review, evaluate and assist" in implementing the project. He also asked for a clear breakdown of the project, including how it will be phased in and the status of federal funding.

The project was adopted as part of the first phase of the $2 billion, 20-year RTA plan, with construction scheduled to start by May 2011. But construction can't get off the ground unless the city of Tucson gets $75 million from the federal government, which would trigger an $87 million RTA match. So far, the city has received $2 million in federal funding for the project. Another allocation of $4 million was targeted to the project in a House appropriations bill. Even if that gets through the Senate and is signed by the president, there's a lot of room left to fill in that bucket. The memo comes hard on the heels of a decision to redirect $13 million from street-paving funds to help build the Cushing Street Bridge, which will carry the streetcar over the Santa Cruz River and link downtown to the western end of the Rio Nuevo downtown-development district. Although the Pima Association of Governments ended up supporting the transfer of funds, it wasn't without some criticism regarding the fact that the money was siphoned from a regional pool.

There also are questions about the federal match. Supervisor Ray Carroll said he's finding it hard to believe that the money will come. "Good luck getting the federal money these days," he said. "They spent it all on their Christmas present of nationalized health care." Carroll noted that Huckelberry hasn't been so interested in having third-party oversight of the county budget and functions in recent years — although Huckelberry said the county did some work on major corridors under independent oversight in the 1980s. Huckelberry said the memo wasn't intended to be a poke in the eye at either the city of Tucson, which is taking the lead on the project, or at the RTA. He said he didn't write it because of concerns about the city's project-management abilities. "We trust the city. Absolutely," he said. "It's just that it's a large, complicated work project, and I don't think it hurts to have another set of eyes and ears working on it — if nothing else, just to verify that you're doing the best you can."

Hayes, the RTA chief, said he had just received the memo, but his gut reaction was twofold. "There's so much money involved in this project that it never hurts to look at it more closely. On the other hand, you don't want this to drag out. And in fact, if something could be done to expedite the project, that's even better." Hayes said the RTA has the local funding for the project ready. Although the RTA is reliant on sales taxes, and those have dipped during the recession, the RTA is still operating in the black because project costs also have plummeted. He said he understands why the project has had some road bumps. The Bush administration was less keen on this type of project, he said, but word from the Obama administration is good so far. "We feel the stars are aligned, but we understand that some people might need some assurance the project is moving ahead," Hayes said. He said he didn't take any offense at Huckelberry's suggestion. "I read it that he just wanted to make sure we didn't leave any stone unturned." He didn't know how much another consultant might cost.

Jim Glock, the city's transportation director, said Huckelberry's concerns already have been addressed. The Federal Transit Administration hired Jacobs Engineering as a project-management consultant to do a third-party review of the city's ability to build and operate the system. Based on the company's report to the federal agency, the city was granted permission to enter into final design in September. Glock said the consultant will monitor the city's progress throughout the life of the project. "If there is some desire to augment that oversight, we welcome that," he said, "although we do think that in many ways, what Supervisor Valadez requested and Mr. Huckelberry mentioned, the FTA has already taken steps to do." Glock said he's confident the funding will be there. "It's not a matter of if; it's when," he said, noting that a new round of stimulus awards is slated to be announced by mid-February. Glock said the memo served as a reminder that the city needs to make a stronger effort to communicate with its regional partners about the status of the project. He said the department will bring an update to the City Council on the scope of the project and the schedule in either January or February. Glock said he hopes that construction will be under way as soon as next summer, and the most recent estimates indicate it will cost $151 million. "We're confident we can bring it in under budget," he said.

kaneui

Dec 23, 2009, 3:47 AM

Although Tucson now has another $4M for the modern streetcar, in order to begin construction, the city is anticipating $75M from the Dept. of Transportation's TIGER grants to be announced in February:

Congress awards $4 million in funding to modern streetcar
By Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
December 22, 2009

The Tucson Modern Streetcar project got another $4 million in federal funding as Congress adopted its omnibus appropriations act for fiscal 2010. That brings the total federal funding committed to the streetcar to $6 million. That’s still a small chunk of the $75 million match Congress authorized in 2005. The streetcar also counts on $87 million from the Regional Transportation Authority. Construction on the 3.9-mile streetcar could start Downtown as soon as summer with the intention to have the line operating in November 2011. The streetcar will connect the Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Main Gate Square, 4th Avenue, Congress Street and the Mercado District on the West Side. Tucson leaders commended the action by Congress as an important achievement for the region.Here is what they said in a release:

“We thank Representatives Grijalva, Giffords and Pastor for their strong and continued support of the Modern Streetcar. Their vision and commitment will ensure that the Modern Streetcar will be constructed,” said Mayor Bob Walkup.

Congressman Grijalva stated, “I am proud to see our efforts beginning to come to fruition through this appropriation, and I look forward to continuing to fight for our full authorization to be appropriated. The Modern Streetcar is an essential element of Southern Arizona’s voter-approved Regional Transportation Plan and a key to our future sustainable growth.”

Congresswoman Giffords added “I am very pleased that we were able to continue funding for this vital project. The Modern Streetcar will help create jobs and boost economic development while it relieves traffic congestion and improves mobility in one of the city’s busiest corridors.”

Councilmember Regina Romero applauded the funding announcement saying, “The Modern Streetcar creates connectivity between the University of Arizona, 4th Avenue and downtown Tucson. This public sector infrastructure doubles the size of downtown and leverages private sector investment while creating jobs. Congresspersons Grijalva, Giffords and Pastor have displayed great leadership and vision in providing another appropriation in support of the Streetcar as it finishes the Federal Transit Administration process.

Councilmember Steve Kozachik added, “this appropriation represents an important step in the direction of securing full funding for the Modern Streetcar. We all know that there’s a big bucket yet to fill, and yet today we can celebrate this piece of progress.”

“The Modern Streetcar is going to have a huge impact on the whole region,” said UA President Robert Shelton. “It will provide a physical connection between the University and downtown and help make Downtown Tucson a real destination for visitors, residents and certainly our students, staff and faculty. By giving people on campus easy access to the Downtown, the streetcar provides a wealth of opportunities for the UA to partner with the City and increase our presence in what will be a new and exciting Downtown Tucson.”

Mayor Walkup added, “The Tucson Modern Streetcar is poised to lead a resurgence in American industrial competitiveness as we intend to deliver an American manufactured streetcar. I am pleased that Congress recognizes both the national and local significance of the Tucson Modern Streetcar and has again demonstrated its support.”

For more information on the Modern Streetcar, visit www.TucsonStreetcar.info.

kaneui

Dec 23, 2009, 8:34 PM

Many of the businesses being evicted on a block of Congress St. for the new An restaurant and bar have already found new digs downtown or elsewhere:

Totally Full-Circle
Downtown businesses being displaced by a proposed restaurant begin to move on

by Aleksa Brown
Tucson Weekly
December 23, 2009

Erin Bradley doesn't know what the new year will bring for Preen, the vintage boutique she owns on Congress Street. In late October, Bradley and her business partner, Emilie Marchand, got the news that they would be evicted from their storefront near Fifth Avenue to make room for a new restaurant and bar run by Kwang C. An, of Sakura fame. Just keeping up with all of the alterations and other tasks that come with the business are tough enough, Bradley says. Trying to find a new location is something they'll have to work out later. "We just decided to put it on the backburner and start focusing on our work again, doing what we do, and enjoy our space as well ... and kind of make decisions (around) the first of the year," she says. The strip of storefronts—which included downtown's long-running artist collective, Dinnerware Artspace, as well as Metropolis Salon—will be replaced next year by a restaurant and bar called An Congress.

The spin on the development has been nothing less than disastrous for An and developer Scott Stiteler, who owns the property. Stiteler, with his business partner Don Martin, had already been involved in a court battle to evict the Rialto Theatre Foundation from their offices earlier this year after a complex downtown development deal with the city fell apart. Stiteler's shaky reputation only grew worse at an October press conference at which he and An announced their redevelopment plans. The conference was interrupted by Metropolis owner Emery Nicoletti, who complained that he had to learn from a TV news reporter that he was being evicted from the space he had rented for 13 years. The ensuing days were not happy ones for Stiteler and An. David Aguirre, manager of Dinnerware, put A-frame signs declaring "Bar Open" in front of each of the businesses being kicked out. The sidewalks ran pastel with chalked sayings like, "Art is dead, get drunk instead." It wasn't long before protests expanded past the storefronts and onto the Internet. Within days, a Facebook group to boycott Stiteler and An gained more than 1,000 members.

Some voiced concerns about the cultural implications that came with eliminating the eclectic block, while others angrily pointed the finger at An. The restaurateur, who sold Sakura in 2008 but still owns Great Wall China, says the negative reactions have been discouraging. "You know, right now, honestly, my gut feeling (is) I want to pull out," he says. "I want to cancel everything. I want to pull out ... but I'm in too deep right now." An says construction will begin in April, with an opening planned around Sept. 15, 2010. "Right now, I've got enough money to retire," he says. "But I want to take a chance with my life a little bit for the last time. I want to take a chance. And I know that's going to (lead to) good things for Tucson."

With four months remaining until construction is set to get underway, the chalk protests have washed away, and many tenants have decided to move sooner rather than later. In late November, Aguirre announced that Dinnerware gallery would be moving immediately. "I realized I just wasn't feeling the inspiration," Aguirre says. "I told my interns, 'We're moving. We're moving in 48 hours.'" Aguirre now plans to move Dinnerware—along with other galleries—into a warehouse on the corner of Toole and Stone avenues that was recently purchased by Ron Schwabe of Peach Properties, a downtown management firm. Aguirre says that in the three years Dinnerware was located at Fifth Avenue and Congress Street, he worked closely with Peach Properties to bring in tenants like Central Arts Gallery and Rocket Gallery. "All those art galleries that sprung up—we did that together," he says, adding that he knew the spaces were not permanent homes. Dinnerware and Central Arts Gallery have moved to Citizens Warehouse, located at 44 W. Sixth St., while the warehouse at 1 E. Toole Ave. is renovated.

Nicoletti says he'll be finding a new home for Metropolis as well. "We're picking up our toys and going home to the safety of the eastside, where our clientele is," he says. "But I'm not going to say it's an easy move for us, because I'm going to miss downtown." Nicoletti says that despite being kicked out of his Congress Street location, he hopes An's new restaurant on Congress is successful. "I hope it works. For us to leave and it not to work, that would be even worse ... so I wish them luck," he says. "And I think as bad as all the energy was, good things will happen." Bradley has been talking with Stiteler about the possibility of keeping Preen open on the block, but she doesn't know if a deal can be struck. She notes that the changes now happening on Congress Street are just part of the cycle. "Community comes and goes very fast," Bradley says. "When we first opened up the shop, we were (basically) the only people on this block except for The District and Sharks and Metropolis, and now it's totally full-circle—and it's only been two years."

kaneui

Dec 23, 2009, 9:40 PM

The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau rank Arizona as the 8th fastest-growing state from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009, dropping from 2nd fastest in the prior year. Wyoming has now nudged ahead of Utah as the fastest growing state in the nation, at 2.12%.

Arizona's drop in growth rate is undoubtedly due to both a heavy loss of construction and other growth-related jobs during this economic downturn, as well as the housing and foreclosure crisis limiting the ability of retirees and others to sell their homes and relocate to the state. Nevada, long the fastest-growing state for many years, has perhaps been hit even harder, dropping from 8th fastest-growing state last year to 17th in the latest estimate.

For the decade, however, Arizona is still ranked 2nd fastest-growing (28.6%) behind Nevada (32.3%), and has now overtaken Massachusetts as the nation's 14th most populous state. However, Arizona is unlikely to overtake Washington in the 13th slot by 2010, as Washington is now growing as fast as Arizona (1.5%), according the latest Census estimate.

Nationwide, Texas continues to lead the country in raw numerical gains, with nearly four million residents added since 2000, followed by California (3.09 million), Florida (2.55 million), Georgia (1.64 million), and Arizona (1.46 million).

For more information: http://www.census.gov/popest/states/states.html

kaneui

Dec 24, 2009, 4:05 AM

The completion of the adjacent 4th Ave. underpass and the upcoming construction of the modern streetcar undoubtedly encouraged numerous private investors to bid on the Coronado Hotel, who probably saw the $670k minimum bid as an opportunity to create something more lucrative than low-income housing:

Pima County loses its bid for Coronado Hotel
By Andrea Kelly
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
12.23.2009

Pima County will not be buying the Coronado Hotel building. The Downtown Development Corp.'s broker sent the county an e-mail saying its bid was not accepted on the hotel, which has been for sale since October. The county sought to spend $700,000 in bond funds on the downtown converted hotel building to preserve the Section 8 low-income housing there, according to the bid. County officials, including Supervisor Richard Elías, became concerned the residents would be kicked out of the building if someone without a commitment to affordable housing purchased the site for development. Nine others also bid on the historic building at the southeast corner of North Fourth Avenue and East Ninth Street. The Downtown Development Corp. won't disclose which offer it has accepted or who submitted the other bids, citing a confidentiality agreement with the bidders.

A similar rejection e-mail arrived at the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, saying its $674,000 bid was rejected, said Neal Cash, president and chief executive officer for the organization. The Downtown Development Corp. was asking $670,000 for the building. At least one other bidder has not heard whether its offer was accepted. Peach Properties made an offer on the hotel, said Ron Schwabe, Peach Properties owner. Schwabe recently purchased one of the historic warehouses on East Toole Avenue, sold because the Arizona Department of Transportation no longer needed the building for a downtown road plan. Calls to the DDC's broker were not returned.

Cash and Elías said they hope the buyer is committed to maintaining Section 8 housing. "The real problem with all of this is that I think it's a harbinger for additional reductions of affordable housing in the downtown area," Elías said. "It would be terrible if the same thing happens in Armory Park and other areas." Cash said it's premature to evaluate the situation. "Maybe the (winning) offer maintains the current use; I certainly hope so," Cash said. Though the Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development received calls from some potential bidders before the deadline for offers, no one has made contact since the bids were opened last week, said Albert Elías, department director. The city housing department manages the federal housing funds used to support rent from low-income residents at the hotel. The DDC has said it intends to announce the buyer in about a month.

kaneui

Dec 27, 2009, 1:32 AM

Nothing happens Downtown? Think again
A look back at 2009

Downtown Tucsonan
December 22, 2009

The past year, there has been a lot of activity bringing changes to Downtown. Some of those changes are more visible than others, but together they add up to a more exciting, more vibrant, more inviting Downtown for everyone. We ushered in this year with the inaugural First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. As we say farewell to 2009, we welcome a flurry of new businesses, road improvements and other construction projects.

Here are some of the noteworthy accomplishments this year:

• The Scott Avenue street improvements were completed between Broadway and 13th Street (on time and on budget).

• One North Fifth’s new retail building was completed and its first tenants moved in.

• The Depot Plaza parking garage is in the final stages of completion and construction of the new MLK Building on top of the garage is well underway.

• Renovations to the MacArthur Building were completed and Madden Media moved in.

• Maynard’s opened in the Historic Depot and a new plaza was built on Toole. Avenue in front of Hotel Congress.

• The new 4th Avenue Underpass was completed and the Old Pueblo Trolley line was extended into Downtown.

• Construction of the Downtown portion Interstate 10 was completed.

• The new Cushing Street Underpass (which will accommodate the Modern Street Car when it is built) was completed.

• MEB acquired, renovated and moved into the Hittinger Building on Congress.

• The Screening Room façade renovation was completed and a new marquee added to the building.

• The 64 E Broadway façade renovation was completed.

• The Rialto Block façade renovation was begun.

• The Carrillo Placita at St. Augustine Cathedral was completed.

• Construction began on the new entrance to the Tucson Convention Center, which will accommodated future construction of the convention hotel.

• The new Fire Headquarters was completed and opened with fanfare.

• The Museum of Contemporary Art leased the old Fire Hall and began work to reopen it as their museum.

• Tucson Electric Power acquired the Santa Rita Block. The Santa Rita Hotel was razed to make room for a new TEP headquarters.

• Construction of street improvements in front of the Julian Drew Building at Broadway and 5th Avenues began. O2 Modern Fitness and Fitworks Cycling Support open in the building.

• Sixth and Stone Avenues south of Broadway were converted to two-way traffic.

• ParkWise launched one hour of free parking in the Pennington, Library and City-State garages.

• Mrs. Tiggy Winkles moved into the Tucson Children’s Museum.

• A host of new restaurants and clubs opened including Jimmy John’s, Zen Rock, A Steak in the Neighborhood and Xoom Juice.

• Skrappy’s reopened on Toole Avenue.

• Meet Me at Maynards started and became a greater success than anyone imagined.

• The inaugural Downtown Tucson Latin Jazz Festival was held in September.

• The inaugural Flamenco Festival was held at Casa Vicente in September.

Who says nothing ever happens Downtown?

--Downtown Tucson Partnership

azliam

Dec 28, 2009, 2:07 AM

Downtown Tucson has a new steakhouse
By Coley Ward
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.23.2009

Steak in the Neighborhood, 135 E. Congress St., is the newest venture from Luke Cusack, who opened Zen Rock nightclub on the same block earlier this year.
The new restaurant serves cheese steaks and burgers, in addition to choice cuts of beef. There are salads and chicken dishes for those looking for something other than cow.
Steak in the Neighborhood is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The restaurant is open later on the weekends, from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturdays.
Cusack also owns Pearl Nightclub, 445 W. Wetmore Road, and he says his new lounge, Sapphire, will open in the old Heart Five location on New Year’s Eve.

kaneui

Dec 28, 2009, 3:24 AM

Tucson Development - 2009 Review & 2010 Outlook

2009
Some of the larger projects completed during the past year were:

- widening six miles of I-10 through central Tucson ($200M)

- Ritz-Carlton Resort in Marana ($160M)

- sanofi-aventis Tucson Research Center in Oro Valley ($61M)

- 4th Ave. underpass ($46M)

- Tucson Fire Central headquarters ($37M)

- UA Student Recreation Center expansion ($28M)

2010
COMPLETIONS
Other than numerous small projects, the only larger projects to be finished next year will be University Medical Center tower ($116M - 1st qtr.), Mercado San Agustin ($6.5M - 2nd qtr.), and the MLK Apartments and parking garage ($45M - 4th qtr.).

STARTS
If all the necessary financing and approvals come through, downtown could see some big changes with over $450M of new projects slated to break ground:

- 525-room Sheraton Convention Center Hotel ($167M - May)*

- Convention Center expansion, parking garage ($72M - June)

- Plaza Centro parking garage and retail ($6M - 2nd qtr.)

- 4-mile Modern Streetcar ( $162M - 3rd qtr.)

- 100k s.f. UniSource headquarters building ($45M - 3rd qtr.)

- Cushing St. extension and bridge ($12.5M - 4th qtr.)

UA could also possibly begin $82M of Arizona Stadium improvements before year-end 2010.

*The TCC hotel financing and size is still in question, and could be downsized further after a new feasibility report is received within the next several weeks.

azliam

Dec 28, 2009, 3:52 AM

atbg8654

Dec 28, 2009, 8:15 PM

atbg8654

Dec 28, 2009, 8:17 PM

just build the damn thing.

I think that's everyone's hope

atbg8654

Dec 28, 2009, 8:20 PM

2010
COMPLETIONS
Other than numerous small projects, the only larger projects to be finished next year will be University Medical Center tower ($116M - 1st qtr.), Mercado San Agustin ($6.5M - 2nd qtr.), and the MLK Apartments and parking garage ($45M - 4th qtr.).

What's that? The new Diamond Children's Hospital or a different project?

kaneui

Dec 29, 2009, 2:20 AM

Isn't the current rendering and design from the original feasibility study that illustrated it should be downsized (from 700 rooms, I think)? Did anything really change or did somebody not do an adequate feasibility study...Im thinking the latter...

The city's RFP instructions requested designs for a 700-room hotel. However, after Garfield Traub was selected in 2007 as the hotel developer, their subsequent redesign went from 700 to 525 rooms, with revenue projections to support it. However, new city councilman Kozachik and others are questioning Garfield Traub's numbers as too optimistic (58% occupancy the first year and 72% in the second), and also the hotel's size as too costly for the city to afford. So it seems a new study was requested to reassess the convention center's needs and reflect more realistic revenues in this extended economic downturn.

Of course, this study/delay/restudy cycle has repeated itself with any number of Rio Nuevo projects. But I don't see any expansion of the convention center making sense without a new headquarters hotel--Hotel Arizona as currently configured is too small, too outdated and too far away to attract any new convention business (plus, the Gem Show folks don't like it). And unless TCC is modernized and expanded, it will continue to be a drain on the city's already empty coffers.

(In response to your other post--the UMC tower includes the Diamond Children's Medical Center, which will occupy the top three floors.)

azliam

Dec 29, 2009, 2:41 AM

The city's RFP instructions requested designs for a 700-room hotel. However, after Garfield Traub was selected in 2007 as the hotel developer, their subsequent redesign went from 700 to 525 rooms, with revenue projections to support it. However, new city councilman Kozachik and others are questioning Garfield Traub's numbers as too optimistic (58% occupancy the first year and 72% in the second), and also the hotel's size as too costly for the city to afford. So it seems a new study was requested to reassess the convention center's needs and reflect more realistic revenues in this extended economic downturn.

Of course, this study/delay/restudy cycle has repeated itself with any number of Rio Nuevo projects. But I don't see any expansion of the convention center making sense without a new headquarters hotel--Hotel Arizona as currently configured is too small, too outdated and too far away to attract any new convention business (plus, the Gem Show folks don't like it). And unless TCC is modernized and expanded, it will continue to be a drain on the city's already empty coffers.

(In response to your other post--the UMC tower includes the Diamond Children's Medical Center, which will occupy the top three floors.)

Thanks. How pathetic are all of these studies and how much are these extra studies costing? It seems we can't elect anyone with any common sense. By the time they quit dicking around with this and a hotel is built (IF), we would have already kissed the Gem show goodbye.

kaneui

Jan 2, 2010, 7:46 PM

Library plaza makeover to level, improve
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
January, 2010

Jacóme Plaza at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library should start getting its makeover some time in late February or March. Design work is nearing completion to reshape the southern end of the plaza off Pennington Street. This will involve building a retaining wall with electrical outlets beyond the Pennington sidewalk to improve the setting for the farmer’s market and other events, said Julie Parizek, project manager for the Tucson Parks & Recreation Department’s capital planning and development unit.

This project will reshape the mound that slopes down to Pennington. The area between the sidewalk and proposed wall will be flattened and “we will flatten out the turf area behind the wall so it’s at grade with the library,” Parizek said. The Jacóme Plaza will be funded with $80,000 in city Back to Basics funds and $10,000 from the Downtown Tucson Partnership. Parizek is still refining details so that construction costs match available funding.

kaneui

Jan 3, 2010, 12:47 AM

Swelling to nearly 25,000 residents over the past decade, Sahuarita is aiming to be more than just a suburban bedroom community, with a new strategic plan focused on providing infrastructure and incentives to attract higher-wage employers:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/SahuaritaRd.jpg
For $51 million, the two-lane Sahuarita Road (top) is being
widened to four lanes and improved. When completed (bottom),
it will be a high-profile “gateway” to Sahuarita.
(photos: Roger Yohem)

Sahuarita seeks focused, self-determination for future growth
Light industry, annexation targeted

By Roger Yohem
Inside Tucson Business
January 02, 2010

In just 15 years, Sahuarita has established its presence as an influential player in Southern Arizona’s economic and political arena. No longer a bedroom community, the town has matured into a 30-square mile entity of 25,000 residents with a focus on self-determination and planned growth. Mayor Lynne Skelton, who took office in June 2007 after serving on the Town Council for eight years, is crystal clear about her vision for economic development. “First, there is one principle that drives all others. We are committed to deciding for ourselves the nature and direction of future growth and not leaving it to the whims of others,” she said. “I am often asked what are the town’s plans? Will growth take place? How much? What about commercial development? Jobs? What about the Rosemont Mine? These are all important questions that we as a community must answer.”

Incorporated in September 1994, the Town of Sahuarita has experienced one of the nation’s most dynamic growth rates. Since January 2000, its population has grown from just 3,242 people to nearly 25,000 - an amazing rate of 770 percent. “While we’re certainly proud of our accomplishments, there’s still plenty of work to be done. The days of 30 percent annual growth are behind us and the realities of a severe recession still loom,” Skelton said. Under these conditions, Skelton is urging town planners and council members to think long term. It’s difficult, trying to plan quality growth not just for the next five years, but as far out as 50 years. “Growing beyond a bedroom community means we cannot continue to follow the same paths as before,” she explained. “We must bear in mind what we already know as we define, articulate, and implement a plan for the future.” A year ago, in January 2009, the town council approved the Strategic Plan for Economic Development, a “blue print” for developing a self-directed local economy. The plan focuses on recruiting higher-wage companies, creating jobs that match the education and expertise of residents, and developing light industrial/high-wage/high-tech opportunities. Town leaders also want to identify the economic benefits of Sahuarita’s proximity to Mexico within the Canamex Corridor. It will be important to articulate the benefits to companies looking to locate there.

Another key strategy is creating infrastructure to attract residential and commercial development opportunities. The town is moving forward on this front. At a cost of $4.1 million, the last section of north La Cañada Road is undergoing major improvements and realignment. In addition, work began in September on the town’s largest road construction project ever, the widening for Sahuarita Road. In partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority, 3.25 miles of Sahuarita Road are being upgraded to four travel lanes at a cost of $51 million. RTA provided $32 million, the remainder coming from the Pima Association of Governments and local funds. The project includes landscaped medians, drainage, paved shoulders and sidewalks, a pedestrian underpass, and bridges over the Santa Cruz River and the railroad tracks. For residents, the project is more than just a road widening. “Yes, it creates a physical gateway to our community, but it’s also a symbolic gateway to the town’s future,” Skelton said. “In the coming years, this road will be at the heart of our Town Center, connecting neighborhoods, businesses, schools, town government, and most importantly, people. It will provide safe, convenient transportation for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.”

Regarding development, the plan is to creatively apply current mixed-use policies to develop the town’s land resources. The hope is to provide residents with a strong, self-contained economy that offers all essential services within the town. That would include employment, retail, healthcare, and entertainment. As such, town officials are working to annex about 22 square miles. Negotiations are ongoing with the State Land Department to annex 16 square miles of land to the east. The vision is to make that resource available for residential, retail, commercial development, and employment centers. To the west, the town is talking with a private developer to annex another 6.5 square miles that could accommodate 15,000 new homes. “Growth is a reality and the town prefers to deal with it proactively. We want to approach this reality in a practical manner, mindful of important sustainability issues as well as our responsibility to the environment,” said Skelton. “Adding land and houses is only part of the equation. We also must develop a local, diversified, and sustainable economy.”

A wildcard in the town’s planning is the controversial Rosemont Mine. Whether approved or denied, it will impact the town’s future. As proposed, the Rosemont operation lies primarily on the east side of the Santa Rita Mountains. However, the mine proposes to draw water from the west side of the Santa Ritas, the same aquifer that the town relies on “now and in the future” Skelton said. The town council has adopted a resolution opposing the Rosemont Mine. “Whether or not the mine is developed, the issue of water is one of our greatest concerns. Overdraft of our aquifer has been going on for years and is not sustainable,” she said. “Many believe the solution is to extend the Central Arizona Project pipeline from its terminus at Pima Mine Road south into the Sahuarita-Green Valley area.” This “solution” would present town leaders with another set of problems. Planners would have to address pipeline extension expenses, right of way acquisition, water allotments, recharge basins, pumping costs, and the long-term availability of Colorado River water, “And of course, we’re enduring one of the worst economic downturns in decades. The impact on housing starts, foreclosures, home values, retail sales and jobs is sobering,” she said.

Due primarily to the success of the Rancho Sahuarita master-planned community, the town has weathered the real estate collapse better than most other local municipalities. Through the first 10 months of 2009, Sahuarita issued 469 new home permits. That’s second only to Pima County’s 645 permits. In 2008, the Town issued 749 new home permits, again, the region’s second highest total. “Despite the economic downturn, we are still issuing permits and developers are still building homes in Sahuarita,” said Skelton. For 2010, Skelton is cautiously optimistic and knows Sahuarita “must keep things moving forward.” They are taking advantage of the economic slowdown to carefully evaluate and prioritize goals. Along the way, they are open to input from residents and business leaders to help advance their economic development ideas. “Recession or not, our community continues to grow. The town must be prepared,” said Skelton. “We want to preserve Sahuarita’s unique culture while planning for future generations.”

kaneui

Jan 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

Although vacancy rates are high and 12 local apartment complexes were foreclosed on in 2009, Tucson Rental Homes says there is demand for their new luxury units being completed on the eastside:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/LuxuryEastsideApts.jpg
Tucson Apartments at 9855 E. Speedway will be a 96-unit luxury apartment complex.
(photo: Joe Pangburn)

First new apartment complex of 2010 to have all the bells and whistles
By Joe Pangburn
Inside Tucson Business
January 02, 2010

There were no new apartment complexes that opened in 2009, but that will change this year. Tucson Rental Homes is developing a 96-unit luxury apartment complex on the far eastside at 9855 E. Speedway, between Harrison and Houghton roads. The units will have either private yards or large balconies, free-standing double-privacy walls, solar energy, energy efficient “Low E” windows, soundproofing, sun tunnels to allow light inside, Energy Star appliances, gourmet kitchens with granite and birch cabinetry, and arched cathedral windows.

It is an interesting time to move forward on an apartment complex. Vacancy rates for apartments are anywhere from 7 percent to 18 percent depending on the type of product, according to Bob Kaplan, a specialist in apartments with Picor Commercial Real Estate Services. Not to mention the 12 apartment complexes that went into foreclosure in 2009. They were owned by the same company, Bascom Group LLC. out of Irvine, Calif. Still, Kaplan said he thinks this type of product in Tucson Rental Homes’ first-ever multi-story apartment complex will do well in town. “It will be a longer lease up than they probably orginally hoped for,” Kaplan said. “But there is some demand out there for this type of product. Home ownership isn’t for everyone. In the long run, we need more product and more nice properties like this will be for people moving to town.” Kaplan said in the last 10 years, if you subtract the new properties that came online that were student housing or tax credit properties for low-income housing, there has been very few straight apartment complexes built. “We need this type of product in town,” he said. “These developers are long-term holders as well, so I think they are going to do just fine with it right now.”

Brent Sandweiss, an owner of Tucson Rental Homes, 4647 N. Campbell Ave., is also confident in the project despite the economy he sees in front of him. “What we believe about the economy is less important than what we believe about our residents,” he said. “People are still buying and renting. They just want and deserve better value. We have always focused on building an architectural space that is superior and something we’d live in ourselves. If we can’t live there, we won’t build it. We can do this because unlike typical real estate developers, we’re not in it for the short term. We design, build, manage and own our homes for very long time periods. We do not sell. Accordingly, we can make long-term commitments which are less dependent on today’s economy, and more dependent on the quality amenities that we build in from day one.” This kind of thinking has required the two to need to convince the finance community to look at a project over a long period versus the typical build and sell product, because the design for their projects is out of the norm and runs into more obstacles in the approval process. “There is a need for our unique and spacious homes,” Sandweiss said. “But, the development of typical and ordinary multi-story rental units will continue to outpace us because it’s what the finance institutions expect, local land use codes encourage and accommodate, and it’s most profitable.”

Founded in 1982, Tucson Rental Homes has 14 other communities in town where it has designed and built single story, detached, Southwestern-styled rental casitas with private yards. Most of the company’s projects average around 100 to 150 units. Making the jump into apartments, Sandweiss said this project is his company’s attempt to change the way apartments are built in town. To address issues with apartment living, Sandweiss and partner Daniel Kautz went to the source and invited residents of their current properties to participate in focus groups to share the needs and wants of apartment living. “Our residents tell us they want money invested in their home and living environment,” Sandweiss said. “They don’t want money wasted on glitzy rental centers, which mainly benefit owners trying to lease ordinary apartments. So in this project, we’ve invested more than $500,000 in upgrades to our residents’ apartments and living environment.”

One of the main areas was the money spent to soundproof all the units so tenants won’t have to hear their neighbors. As a result of the extra insulation for soundproofing, each unit is efficient in its use of energy. “We have pre-leased a number of apartment homes,” Sandweiss said. “Many of the upper-level homes have amazing views of the Santa Catalina and Rincon mountains. Folks have noticed and reacted quickly.” Overall, Sandweiss said he has seen success with all the projects his company has put together in town. “Our developments have been embraced with enthusiastic support from all elements of our community and it’s a great source of pride for us,” Sandweiss said. “But, at the end of the day, what’s most important to us is that our residents come home from a hectic day at work to a calm environment with a unique and spacious Southwestern Design to relax and feel at home.”

kaneui

Jan 3, 2010, 7:59 PM

If the convention hotel is the next casualty of Tucson's perpetual study/delay/restudy cycle, there probably won't be any further TCC expansion, and the Gem Show will surely be packing their bags after this year:

Reality of new hotel connected to TCC looking less certain
By Rob O'Dell
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
01.03.2010

The city is building a new $4.3 million entrance to the Tucson Convention Center — intended to be the gateway to a planned convention hotel that many local leaders believe is the key to reviving downtown. But it's uncertain whether that hotel will be built anytime soon. The city has refinanced millions in TCC rental payments made to Rio Nuevo — in effect, tapping one of its remaining credit lines — in order to pay $11 million to developer Garfield Traub for the final hotel design. And the city's ability to finance bonds to complete the hotel could be threatened by an unprecedented financial crisis that could force layoffs, new taxes and cuts in police and fire personnel.

Now some experts are questioning the city's ability to finance the $180 million hotel at all. An April report said the hotel's projected cash flow would not cover the debt to build it and advised the city to apply several site-specific taxes to make the finances pencil out. In addition, the city likely would have to kick in $1.1 million a year from the general fund — which could otherwise be used to pay police officers, firefighters and keep recreation centers open. A footnote in the hotel's financial report said the expected occupancy rates are valid only if the city does a massive $34 million renovation of the TCC and substantially upgrades or replaces the arena. The city theoretically has money to renovate the TCC — by tapping the same credit line as TCC rental payments — but it likely will not have the money to build an arena for 10 years, if ever. "The likelihood of something like this succeeding is basically close to zero," said Edward A. Mermelstein, a real estate attorney and co-founder of international real estate law firm Edward A. Mermelstein & Associates. "It's one of the worst times to do any type of real estate development, especially anything to do with hotels."

Distressed market
Hotels are dependent on the economy, and the market will likely stay depressed for three to five years, Mermelstein said. Those who are financing hotel deals now are buying distressed hotels at low prices and expect to start making money in five to seven years, he said. "Construction of new facilities … is nonexistent," he said. Worse, he said, is that Tucson's hotel would be union-built, which typically adds 20 percent to 30 percent to the cost. Carl Winston, director of San Diego State University's hospitality and tourism-management program, said many convention center hotels fail. A convention hotel in St. Louis, for example, went into foreclosure in early 2009. "If the project is so good, why isn't the private sector building it?" Winston asked. "It's a mighty big bet, and it fails more often than it succeeds."

A convention hotel is a great idea, but the city can't afford it right now, said Alan F. Willenbrock, a Tucson portfolio manager and chartered financial analyst. Willenbrock represents Pima County on the Greater Arizona Development Authority. He said the city will have to put up additional taxes and money to make the hotel's finances work, adding that he felt Tucson couldn't sell bonds for the hotel because of its financial condition. He noted that commercial, mortgage-backed securities tied to hotels have the highest default rates of any commercial properties, making it hard for Tucson to find investors for its hotel bonds.

Deficit is focus now
The city's focus on the new hotel has been pushed somewhat to the back burner after city officials discovered a $32 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year. Sean McBride, the city's new assistant city manager, said talk of the hotel finances are "conjecture and speculation" until a new report on the hotel's projected occupancy comes out in January. McBride, who is now heading the city's hotel effort, said he has not read the April report on the hotel's projected occupancy rates and cash flow. The city is not blindly committed to building the hotel if the numbers don't make sense, McBride said. He acknowledged that not building it means the city will have paid $4.3 million for a new entrance to the TCC for a nonexistent hotel. In this scenario, the city would also have paid $11 million for the final design of the hotel as well. Officials likely would try to use the hotel designs when it makes sense financially, he said.

Tax receipts way down
The Rio Nuevo district has little excess cash flow, McBride said, because its sales-tax receipts are way down and because of the debt service being paid on Rio Nuevo's $80 million bond issuance in December 2008 — money which has now been exhausted. The bonds would need to be backed by the city's general fund, McBride said, because Rio Nuevo alone doesn't have the ability to do it. A swath of the city's bonds was downgraded in May because of the city's deteriorating financial condition. Winston, of San Diego State, said he couldn't predict whether the city could issue bonds for the hotel, but he said this is the worst economic environment for hotels he has seen. In addition, he said, "by far the weakest part of travel is groups and conventions," adding that demand for convention hotels is dropping faster than the economy as a whole. Bill Mosher, chief executive officer of the Denver Convention Hotel Authority, said even successful convention center hotels such as in Denver would have a hard time getting financing right now. Mosher was the head of Tucson's Downtown Development Corporation for about 10 years until 1990. "I'm not sure we could do ours" today, Mosher said. "And it's one of the most successful of the publicly funded hotels."

kaneui

Jan 8, 2010, 12:45 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/5151Broadway-lobby.jpg
Updated lobby at 5151 E. Broadway
(photo: ADS)

5151 Broadway tower gets makeover
'70s office complex updated
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
01.07.2010

Renovations on a 16-story landmark office tower at 5151 E. Broadway are complete. The exterior remodeling of the ground floor consisted of installation of high-efficiency seamless glass, metal shade structures, fresh landscaping and color accent. The tower's lobby was painted cobalt blue and has new wall decorations.

The building, known as 5151 Broadway, sits on 8.3 acres. Recently signed new tenants include QuikTrip, which operates convenience stores, and Tucson College, a vocational school that focuses on health and trade programs. The building is 73 percent occupied. The property is owned by Tucson 5151 Investments LLC, an entity controlled by Scottsdale-based Seldin Real Estate Inc. Besides 5151 Broadway, Seldin's local holdings include the 122,000-square foot Misys office building in Williams Centre Business Park on East Broadway.

Construction of the building began in 1973 and was completed in 1975. Although it's not as tall as the Home Federal Savings Tower at 32 N. Stone Ave., the new high-rise, when it was completed, was the largest office building in Tucson, with 265,000 square feet of space. The tallest building in Tucson is the UniSource Energy Tower, 1 S. Church Ave., which was built in 1986 and has 23 floors above ground.

kaneui

Jan 8, 2010, 2:26 AM

Even if the planned convention center expansion and new hotel never get built, some form of the gem show will likely remain in Tucson, even as a somewhat smaller version:

Municipal Mining
By Carli Brosseau
Zocalo Tucson Magazine
December 4, 2009

What most Tucsonans call "The Gem Show," formally the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, is about 40 separate shows taking place at hotels and exhibition spaces scattered around the city. Together, the February shows comprise the showcase, the largest event of its kind in the world, but there is no coordinator and no organizer - save capitalism. The promoters compete fiercely, and many complain that the city doesn't offer support commensurate with the $100 million a year in spending that the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB) estimates the shows bring to the city. The promoters want the city to provide shuttles, free parking, better signs and laws prohibiting price gouging.

As evidence of commitment, city officials talk about the downtown hotel construction project and its scheduling deference to the gem show. They point to plans for a modern streetcar to run from the west side of Interstate 10 to the University of Arizona. They point to finishing construction for a wider interstate ahead of schedule to accommodate the shows; they point to new downtown restaurants. In consultants' documents, the timeline for the hotel slated to adjoin Tucson Convention Center is told in neon green bars and triangles: one for this demolition, one for that concrete pour, one for this gem show and another for the gem show the year after. The goal for constructing a new south-side main entrance to the convention center is to be done pre-gem show and the target for bond sales and demolition of the old entrance is to begin post-gem show. The point, after all, is holding conventions (and making money from them), and Tucson's main claim is on the rocks.

The promoter of the show's most prominent gem display is threatening to pull out if no hotel materializes and now Tucson's cash cow event has folded into the narrative of Rio Nuevo, becoming both reason and outcome in the community argument over how to revitalize downtown. For the future of the event in Tucson, that could cut both ways. A recent presentation to the City Council on the gem shows began with the declaration from MTCVB representative Felipe Garcia that over the past five years, the city has lost $230 million in would-be taxable spending by failing to land about 245 potential conventions because of outdated and too-small convention facilities. Although only two of the showcase's shows are held in the convention center, calls to the city manager's office about the gem show are forwarded there. The elements promoters mention for improvement overlap little with the topics cited by elected officials, whose careers hinge on the perception of downtown success. But the mentality, hardened by prioritizing forced by hard economic times, cemented Oct. 6, 2009. Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), stood before the City Council and said, "If we do not see progress on a hotel and on upgrading the convention center, we will leave as quickly as we can." Mayor Bob Walkup, in response, declared the $239 million hotel and convention center project the current headliner of the city's struggling downtown redevelopment efforts "the kind of thing we almost cannot afford not to do."

It's unclear, however, whether Tucson can afford it. Officials are scheduled to receive updated information on the financial feasibility and projected economic impact of the hotel in December, with financing plans rolling out in January or February. City Manager Mike Letcher has said he would not recommend a plan in which the city's general fund a pool of discretionary monies used to pay for police and parks, among other things would be used to pay off the debt. In the Oct. 20 City Council meeting, Letcher said, "This hotel is publicly financed by the revenues generated by the sales tax and bed tax from the hotel. Those revenues will pay for the hotel. We're not going to move ahead if, in fact, those revenues are not sufficient enough to cover the debt service. We're not going to use our general fund monies to cover this. All of the initial numbers that have been worked indicate that the hotel will pay for itself and in the out years will generate money that will come back to the city since we own it." (** See projections below.) But because of legal restrictions on the Rio Nuevo district, the entity technically overseeing the development, the city's general fund would ultimately be on the hook if projections don't bear out. The fund has served as collateral for Rio Nuevo bond issuances so far, and a consultant's report surveying the likely financing options points to city backing as the most promising route going forward.

One point on which there is little ambiguity is that Tucson will not lose all of the gem and mineral shows at once. The chances of the entire show leaving anytime soon are "nonexistent" in the words of Kimberley Schmitz, spokeswoman of MTCVB. At least a dozen of the promoters echo her sentiment. When Hucker demanded the convention center expansion and hotel, he spoke for his organization alone. Few other groups would benefit directly from the construction, and more than a couple promoters said they would be happy to fill AGTA's spot should it decide to bail. Some of the story is geography. Tucson is not far from several mines and dig sites important to mineral and fossil collectors. Many promoters and dealers have bought warehouses in Tucson and opened shops here. The operators of the Pueblo Gem and Mineral Show even bought the hotel that hosts their show, The Riverpark Inn. History and legend also conspire to keep the show here. Every promoter interviewed for this article predicted that the international reputation of the 55-year-old show will continue to draw visitors even if a trade group as large as AGTA were to pull out. Mineral buffs, especially, downplay the significance of AGTA's threat. "It started as a mineral show and that will continue even if the gem dealers leave," said Thomas Moore, editor of The Mineralogical Record, which in 2008 described the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase as "the Greatest Show on Earth." However, AGTA's leaving wouldn't be without consequences. It is what Schmitz calls a "cornerstone show," a major component of the showcase as it now exists. Promoters agree the show is a top earner, and AGTA already does a show in Las Vegas, the most likely destination if promoters do decide to head out.

The mayor refused to discuss the implications of AGTA backing out. "I'm not going to let him leave," Mayor Walkup said of Hucker, "City support is always improving" based on post-show conversations the biggest promoters have had with officials. As for direct support for the shows, MTCVB puts up a gem show website, prints a show guide and, during construction on Interstate 10 last year, the city paid for vans to shuttle show attendees among participating locations. Despite pleas for continued shuttle service, the vans won't run this year. City officials say that given the sour economy, they can't pay for it. Promoters negotiating to share the cost of a private shuttle say no deal has been reached yet. Vendors are protesting the vans going to locations that sell similar goods. Albeit, 2010's gem shows continue on.

Tucson's gem shows run from January 30 through February 14. Find contact information for most of the shows via MTCVB's website, www.VisitTucson.org/gemshow.

**Estimated numbers from the May 2009 pre-development agreement from Starwood Hotels - the company contracted to operate the downtown Sheraton:

Average daily rate in 2012: $138.31

Average daily rate in 2017: $180

Occupancy in 2012: 58.1%

Occupancy in 2017: 72%

Total revenue from the hotel in 2012: $29.2 million

Total revenue from the hotel in 2017: $44.9 million

Cost of developing hotel: $167 million

Cost of renovating the convention center: $38.7 million

Cost of developing the parking deck: $33.2 million

kaneui

Jan 10, 2010, 6:58 PM

The city's historical commission and the neighborhood historic preservation board are opposing a proposed 11-story apartment building near UA that would require the demolition of four historic structures:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MemorialComplex-render.jpg
An illustration of the proposed Memorial Complex that developers want to build
on North Euclid Avenue at East Fourth Street.
(render: Vint & Associates)

Developers want high-rise in historic district
W. University complex would provide housing for 300 UA students

By Becky Pallack
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
01.10.2010

Two developers from Cave Creek want the city's permission to build a high-rise apartment complex in the West University neighborhood that will be home to 300 students. The property fronts North Euclid Avenue at East Fourth Street, near the University of Arizona's main gate and along the proposed light-rail line. The new infill development, called the Memorial Complex, would have stepped heights of six, nine and 11 stories. The developer is UA alum Mike Noonan, who studied business and met his wife at the UA and played hockey for the Ice Cats. His son attends the UA now. Noonan and partner Bob Cox have agreements in place to assemble the land by buying property from the Marshall Foundation and Russell Moore. Once they're ready to build, perhaps in the fall, they'll bring in another partner, a yet-to-be-named major multi-family housing builder, Noonan said. They'll spend about $25 million on the building.

Apartments would be mostly four-bedroom, two-bath units. The complex would have a pool, secure bicycle parking and a car-sharing program. Architect Bob Vint said his inspiration for the design is the Consolidated Bank of Tucson building, at 2 E. Congress Street, which at 11 stories was Tucson's first high-rise. Some neighbors worry there won't be enough parking for residents, but the building would be next to the UA's five-story Tyndall garage, where the Memorial Complex could lease spaces.

Building in a historic zone
Noonan had hoped to break ground this spring, but couldn't get permission to demolish four buildings: a duplex built in 1925 that was infamous as the "Hippie House" in the 1970s, and three two-story apartment buildings in the 800 block of East Fourth Street that had been labeled nuisance properties by the city for about 20 years. Despite their conditions, the buildings are contributing structures to a historic district. The West University Historic Preservation Zone advisory board and the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission rejected the demolition idea and expressed concern about the height and scale of the project. "We like to see good projects in the area, but people are very sensitive to the university over the years building things that are entirely inappropriate for the neighborhood," said Terry Majewski, chair of the historical commission. Still, her group wants appropriate student housing development and she said she is interested in the developers' Plan B. The developers revised the plan to keep the small apartment building on the corner, because it's the one with the most original facade. They plan to renovate it at a cost of $300 a square foot. They'll fix up the "Hippie House," too.

The next step is zoning hearings. It's not unheard of for the city to approve demolitions in the historic zone. At the northeast corner of Euclid and University, some historic structures were demolished to make way for shops, for instance. However, "the regulations set a high bar in order to protect the integrity of the historic neighborhood," city historic preservation officer Jonathan Mabry said. Usually the builder must prove there's a safety issue or that it would be an economic hardship to repair the building. The West University National Register Historic District has lost 51 historic structures since 1980, Mabry said. There are 646 historic structures remaining, he said. "The community values preserving those historic neighborhoods," Mabry said. "They are part of what makes Tucson different from everywhere else."

kaneui

Jan 16, 2010, 6:56 AM

Although it won't affect next month's gem show, the discovery of some missing caissons at TCC will delay the opening of the new east entrance by two months:

Somebody forgot load-bearing pillars at TCC
By Roger Yohem
Inside Tucson Business
January 15, 2010

Tucson (Convention Center) we have a problem: Contractors working on the facilities’ new $4.3 million grand entrance have discovered that five weight-bearing pillar structures were never installed as required 20 years ago, despite the fact that city inspectors signed off on the project. Among other things, it will delay the project by at least two months into April. The good news, relatively speaking, is that contractors Garfield Traub have figured out a fix that shouldn’t cost any more than $280,000.

Stephen Moffett, division president for Garfield Traub, said case of the missing caissons, as they’re called, was discovered during excavation. “The as-built drawings from 20 years ago show five caissons there, in place, supporting the structure. The project was signed off by the city but the as-built drawings are not correct,” he said. As-built drawings are supposed to reflect all changes made during construction. In this case, instead of caissons, a load-bearing beam was installed. “We are adding weight to the building,” Moffett said. “We were counting on those caissons being there.”

Tommy Obermaier, deputy director of the convention center, said city officials are aware of the issue and have confidence in Garfield Traub’s recommendation for a fix. Although the plan was to have the new entry completed in time for February’s Gem & Mineral Shows, the delay will not impact events at the site, Obermaier said. “The reality is, neither gem show we have lets people use that entrance,” he said. “They forced people to use the west entrance.

Despite the added expense, Moffett said that it doesn’t look as if the city will be on the hook to pay it. Instead, the repair money likely will come from Garfield Traub’s “guaranteed maximum price” budget that includes allowances for unforseen expenses. “Some positives have actually come of this,” Moffett said. “We’ve already identified a Tucson contractor as our preference to do the repair.” And they’re also “proactively looking” for other possible structural defects around the building. Garfield Traub has a $200 million contract with the city to construct the new south entry, demolish the west entrance, develop a 525-room hotel, and build a 950-space parking garage.

kaneui

Jan 16, 2010, 7:13 AM

Even with construction beginning in 2011, the $166M widening of approximately five miles of Grant Rd. isn't scheduled to be complete until 2024:

Grant Road construction to start two years early
Inside Tucson Business
January 15, 2010

Two years ahead of schedule, work will get started by the middle of next year on the $166 million, widening to six lanes of five miles of Grant Road from Oracle to Swan roads. The “extreme makeover” of the arterial is the largest project in the $2 billion Regional Transportation Plan approved by voters in May 2005. Basically, the plan calls for starting the project on the west side, at the Grant and Oracle intersection, building eastward through the First Avenue intersection. After that, work will be on the east side, east of Swan Road and go west.

Here is the planned timetable:

• Mid 2011-2012 - Oracle segment, the intersection of Grant and Oracle roads east to Castro Avenue, $11 million.

• 2014-2015 - Stone Avenue/First Avenue segment, from Castro Avenue eastward through First Avenue intersection to Fremont Avenue, $19 million.

• 2015-2016 - Swan segment, from Arcadia Avenue west to Bryant Avenue, $16 million.

• 2018-2019 - Alvernon segment, from Bryant Avenue west to Sparkman Boulevard, $15 million.

• 2021-2022 - Campbell segment, from Fremont Avenue east to Plumer Avenue, $16 million.

• 2023-2024 - Country Club segment, from Plumer Avenue east to Sparkman Boulevard, $18 million.

Transportation officials plan to hold meetings this month to explain the plans and answer questions. Details are online at www.grantroad.info or by calling (520) 624-4727.

kaneui

Jan 18, 2010, 6:59 PM

The recently completed UA Student Recreation Center Annex is hoping to achieve LEED-platinum certification:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/UARecCenterAnnex2.jpg
Is there such a thing as playing sand volleyball in an environmentally friendly way?
Perhaps so. UA student Melissa Montoya handles a ball on a sand court that sits atop
8 feet of broken rock designed to percolate the site's roof water into the aquifer.
(photo: Dean Knuth)

Inside, out, rec center annex steps up to high, sustainable, 'green' standards
By Tom Beal
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
01.18.2010

The glass-walled addition to the University of Arizona's Student Recreation Center across East Sixth Street from Arizona Stadium is the first fulfillment of the university's pledge to build certifiably "green" buildings. The points haven't been totaled and verified, but UA planners expect the building to keep and possibly exceed President Robert Shelton's promise to meet the "silver" standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council, whose LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings have become the touchstone for sustainable architecture. The rec center's Web site prematurely boasts an even higher "gold" rating. Peter Dourlein, director of planning, design and construction for the UA, won't predict, but he'll be surprised, if the building misses that mark. The UA has submitted enough LEED points to qualify for "platinum," the highest rating available. "Silver" is a fairly easy mark to hit, Dourlein said. He said the university's first foray into LEED certification proved to him what he already knew — that the UA had been building to LEED standards long before it signed on to prove the point.

LEED provides third-party verification that a building is "green" in six categories: sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design. The first category is a slam-dunk, he said. The entire university is a sustainable site — urban in character and served by mass transit, along with routes for bicycles and pedestrians. The building easily earns points for energy use by tying into the UA's underground heating-and-cooling network, which, among other innovative techniques, uses melting ice made during off-peak hours to cool buildings during the day. Those savings are augmented with good design by M3 Engineering and Technology Corp., Dourlein said. The extended rooflines combine with vertical fins to allow the north wall — thick slices of special glass sandwiching a gas layer — to convey light but not heat. Glass walls on the south will heat in winter but be shaded in summer. The east and west walls are mostly solid masonry to block the rising and setting sun. The result is nonglaring illumination of an airy space divided by a mezzanine level where 237 exercise stations fill 30,000 square feet of space.

More innovation lies behind the building. Outdoor seating areas and gathering spots are shadowed by huge overhangs. A pair of sand volleyball courts sit atop 8 feet of busted rock, designed to percolate the site's roof water into the aquifer. A multiuse indoor sports court and a deployment center for the Outdoor Adventures program complete the 55,000 square feet of added indoor recreation space. Rainwater that isn't collected underground will be directed to planting areas on the north and east sides of the building by students in a UA water-harvesting class. Water retention was the most significant added expense, Dourlein said. "That 8-foot pit under the volleyball court really doesn't buy us anything," he said. "It's the right thing to do, a good thing to do, but it doesn't have a payback." Dourlein said the site could have met code requirements by allowing as much water to run off into nearby streets and storm sewers as its previous use — an asphalt parking lot. That asphalt, by the way, was ground up and made part of the compacting soil beneath the slab.

Kurt Wadlington of Sundt Construction said that is one procedure his company wouldn't have done if this were not a LEED project. It's easier and cheaper to rip up asphalt and haul it to the dump, he said. But Wadlington said Sundt, which has built a number of LEED buildings, including a platinum building at Arizona State University, has incorporated many LEED practices in everything it builds. Recycling leftover construction materials has become standard, he said, though his company is probably not as scrupulous about it when LEED points aren't available. For the rec center, more than 75 percent of the waste was recycled, he said. The floors in the exercise area are spongy surfaces made from recycled rubber products. All coverings and cabinets use paint, carpet or adhesives low in off-gassing, volatile organic compounds. Most surfaces are unadorned. Floors are uncovered, polished concrete, except in a couple of offices where recycled carpet was installed.

LEED certification, now a goal for every campus building, will give the UA bragging rights, an area in which it lags behind its partners in the state university system. Both Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University have buildings built to LEED platinum standards, the highest rating. In addition, ASU has five buildings with gold certification. The UA had resisted signing up for LEED certification because of the additional cost, Dourlein said, relying instead on its own sustainability guidelines to deliver the same results. But the cost of LEED certification has come down, he said, and it has become more important for the university. Dourlein said he took a hard look at buildings recently added to the campus in the past 20 years and assured himself that just about all of them would meet LEED standards, given allowances for the unavailability of products and techniques. Dourlein even cited the oldest building on campus as a good example of sustainable building. Longevity alone makes Old Main special, he said. Year after year, for 118 years, it has made use of what green designers call its "imbedded energy cost" — the amount of energy used to create materials and build it. It also employs architectural techniques that might be called innovative today. Old Main's builders couldn't count on air conditioning, so it was given a "big hat" — an expansive roofline to shade its porches and brick facade.

One thing people often overlook in designing and building to LEED standards is the improvement in air quality and the aesthetic feel of the building, Dourlein said. The open, sunlighted spaces, outside views and generous introduction of fresh air in the new rec center should be a welcome change for the center's users, Associate Director Richard Romero said. The now-abandoned work-out space in the original building would get humid and a bit rank at times. The new addition increases fresh-air introduction by 30 percent, and the air is moved around by six Big Ass Fans (yes, that is the name of the manufacturer) with 4-foot blades.

Architects adopt LEED standards
Architects for two Tucson firms, one that advocates for and specializes in LEED buildings and another that has reluctantly embraced LEED certification because of client demand, say the movement is beginning to achieve its goals. "The whole premise of the U.S. Green Building Council is market transformation in the construction industry, in the way people buy and in the way people manufacture," said David Shambach, principal of DESA Architecture.

Shambach said he has talked several clients into going LEED and last year earned gold and silver certification for fire stations built for the Corona de Tucson and Rincon Valley fire districts. "The overall quality of the buildings are better," Shambach said, "and sometimes the added construction costs are almost nothing." In the long run, especially in settings that get 24-hour use such as fire stations, the energy savings of LEED construction pay back any additional cost quickly, Shambach said.

Henry Tom of Line and Space Architecture said his firm resisted certifying its architects as LEED practitioners for years, while winning national awards for sustainability. Last year, Line and Space was named Sustainable Architecture firm of the year by the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects without a single LEED-qualified building, though its Cesar Chavez Library, cited by the national AIA as one of Top Ten Green Projects of 2008, is awaiting certification. "We've been doing sustainable projects without having a LEED program in place for many, many years," said Tom. It is a philosophy adopted by founder Les Wallach 30 years ago, he said, and it hasn't changed, though the firm now has four LEED-certified architects. "It's quite a bit of effort. It costs money to get a building certified, and sometimes you are taking dollars away from the project," Tom said. But he credits the movement with forcing change. "One of the things LEED did do is it made more people aware of creating more-efficient facilities. It is a good avenue for getting the word out to the public," Tom said.

Sundt Construction, which built the Campus Recreation Center and two Tucson fire stations with LEED rules, has found that abiding by LEED construction techniques forces it to do things it should be doing anyway, said Kurt Wadlington, senior project director. Wadlington said the overall cost of meeting LEED standards has also been reduced. Many practices have become industry standards, and green materials are cheaper and more readily available, he said. "The industry is building more wisely overall," he said.

kaneui

Jan 20, 2010, 6:58 AM

A $32M solar power plant is coming to the new UA Science and Technology Park:

Bell Power to build 5MW solar generation plant
Bringing new solar technology to Tucson

By Joe Pangburn
Inside Tucson Business
January 19, 2010

Bell Independent Power Corp., of Rochester, New York, is coming to build and operate a 5MW solar plant with a thermal storage system that will be the first of its kind in the world. The company was announced today (Jan. 19) as the first tenant of the University of Arizona Science and Tech Park's Solar Zone - 200 acres of the park set aside for solar generation, manufacturing and education - announced last week. This solar generation plant will take up 45 acres and will be built at a cost of $32 million. Construction of the plant is expected to begin in late spring or early summer this year depending on the permitting process. The construction of the solar plant will create 75 jobs and the facility will require seven full-time employees for operation. The plant will have the capacity to power 1,500 typical Tucson homes and will begin supplying power to Tucson homes in 2011.

This is a concentrator plant, meaning it will use mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays to heat a tower with oil in it. The new technology, developed by Bell over the last five years, allows for increased production after the sun goes down due to the ability to store the heated material. Tucson Electric Power has asked the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve its plan to purchase power from the plant over a 20-year period. It expects to receive the approval this quarter.

ThreeHundred

Jan 20, 2010, 4:02 PM

So what do you guys hope for Tucson in terms of development in the coming years?

Locofresh55

Jan 20, 2010, 4:48 PM

atbg8654

Jan 20, 2010, 6:09 PM

So what do you guys hope for Tucson in terms of development in the coming years?

Anything to do with downtown...I think the best and quickest thing to revitalize that area right now is have UA somehow integrated. Have a "downtown campus"... triggering high rise educational and student residential buildings as well as influence local businesses and research firms to complimentary migrate nearby. That will ideally kick start office buildings, retail, entertainment venues, etc...

Teacher_AZ_84

Jan 20, 2010, 11:37 PM

Anything to do with downtown...I think the best and quickest thing to revitalize that area right now is have UA somehow integrated. Have a "downtown campus"... triggering high rise educational and student residential buildings as well as influence local businesses and research firms to complimentary migrate nearby. That will ideally kick start office buildings, retail, entertainment venues, etc...

I agree that UA's presence would make an impact. I would love to see the proposed Sheraton get built. We all know that's not going to happen.

kaneui

Jan 21, 2010, 7:18 AM

So what do you guys hope for Tucson in terms of development in the coming years?

In light of the current and projected economic conditions, it appears that the best immediate prospects for downtown center around the new streetcar, which will encourage denser development, new retail and entertainment businesses, as well as provide a direct link to the UofA campus. It's probably one of the few proposed projects that will secure the necessary funds for construction. The streetcar should also jumpstart more retail and housing development in the Menlo Park/Convento area west of I-10, although the numerous proposed Rio Nuevo cultural attractions surrounding it may be significantly scaled back, if they get built at all.

The current plan for the TCC Sheraton is looking doubtful, but to stop the TCC's perpetual hemorraging of red ink will necessitate its expansion and updating, and an accompanying convention center hotel is crucial for it to be at least marginally profitable. So I'm guessing that a hotel will be built, though perhaps as a scaled-down version.

Other than the new UniSource headquarters, there certainly won't be any new office towers built in the near future, but downtown could see a fair amount of affordable housing construction, particularly around Depot Plaza and the proposed Plaza Centro on the east end of Congress St., as well as other areas along the streetcar route. (Thankfully, all those luxury condo proposals never got off the ground, since the demand for that product never really existed.)

Now that the sprawl machine has bit the dust for awhile, we are already seeing growth in other industries such as biotech and solar, which are capitalizing on the synergy between UA and companies already in the area. Future expansion will be centered mostly in Oro Valley and around the new UA Science and Technology Park on the southeast side.

Also, we shouldn't underestimate the impact that the enormous state and municipal budget deficits will have on both Tucson and Arizona over the next several years. Expected spending cuts will make it challenging to provide the necessary infrastructure and favorable business climate essential to attracting the types of companies that will provide better wages and diversify the mostly one-note economy of growth and housing.

Azstar

Jan 21, 2010, 11:26 PM

Thankfully, all those luxury condo proposals never got off the ground, since the demand for that product never really existed.

What a typical stupid Tucson comment. This is exactly the type of residential development necessary, not only for Tucson, but for all downtown redevelopments. Do you think large numbers of "affordable housing" projects are going to contribute to revitalization of downtown? Are all of those subsidized housing tenants going to be dining in the restaurants, attending entertainment venues, populating the clubs and bars, or shopping at any small retail establishments that might be foolish enough to open downtown?

It's that mentality, shared by the eternally clueless City Council members, that will keep downtown Tucson the abandoned, moribund, decaying place that it currently is.

atbg8654

Jan 22, 2010, 1:59 AM

What a typical stupid Tucson comment. This is exactly the type of residential development necessary, not only for Tucson, but for all downtown redevelopments. Do you think large numbers of "affordable housing" projects are going to contribute to revitalization of downtown? Are all of those subsidized housing tenants going to be dining in the restaurants, attending entertainment venues, populating the clubs and bars, or shopping at any small retail establishments that might be foolish enough to open downtown?

It's that mentality, shared by the eternally clueless City Council members, that will keep downtown Tucson the abandoned, moribund, decaying place that it currently is.

Decent points, but why would any person who could afford luxury condos live in Tucson today, or in the last five years when those projects were to be completed? There is no demand because there is nothing complimentary or accommodating for those type of residents. The last residential project downtown were Rodondo Towers back in the 70's I believe...so there isn't much of a residential base to begin with. Students and artists are very important in downtown life after 5pm and a large number of them live in these types of housing. Although not the long-term answer, affordable housing right now for Tucson is something that kicks start life even if it doesn't mean spending $35 a plate. Downtown Tucson has nothing luxury about it today, and until there are 'high-end' bars, restaurants, shopping, and whatnot there wont be the proper clientele.

It's sometimes a story of the chicken or the egg...do you establish luxury living first and then follow with luxury retail and services, or vice versa? With Tucsonans' bleak perception of downtown, you need to show them that there is activity and things to do there before they cough up $500k for a studio.

kaneui

Jan 24, 2010, 7:04 PM

With no bidders at the foreclosure auction, 44 Broadway Lofts--the only downtown luxury condo project that saw any construction--has been returned to the lender:

Bank of the West gets 44 E. Broadway in auction
January 22, 2010
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan

Bank of the West, which held the debt on the former U.S. Courthouse Annex at 44 E. Broadway, acquired the skeletal building with no outer walls on Jan. 22 after no bids were made in an auction. Bank of the West, 7225 N. Oracle Road, was ruled the highest bidder through a credit bid of $3,005,063, appointed trustee Mark Barker said. Bank of the West officials were not at the auction held outside the Pima County Superior Court.

This foreclosure sale on a defaulted $2.86 million loan ends a four-year chapter for developer James LeBeau, who has tried to convert the former federal court annex into luxury lofts since buying the fortified four-story structure in 2005. LeBeau’s 44 Broadway Lofts never got beyond designs and stripping off the outer walls on the Broadway and Jackson Street sides.

kaneui

Jan 24, 2010, 7:20 PM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MonteVCorporateCenter.jpg
The first Class A office space to be built in Tucson in over a decade
is rising at 3501 E. Speedway Blvd., with half of it already leased.
(photo: Roger Yohem)

Class A rising
By Roger Yohem
Inside Tucson Business
January 23, 2010

More rare than snow in the desert these days, a crane is flying around a construction site at 3501 E. Speedway. Even more rare is the fact that the crane is feeding steel girders to crews constructing the first Class A office building in Tucson in about a dozen years. The new 40,000 square-foot, three-story office, called Monte Vista Corporate Center, is due for completion in August. It is owned by brothers Al Kivel and Daniel Kivel, two members of the Kivel family, who have a long history of commercial property development in Tucson.

Almost half the space in the new office building already has been leased, said Michael Gross, executive vice president for Tucson Realty & Trust, who is handling the listing. The entire third floor and about one-third of the second floor have been rented to an engineering firm. “We have a landmark tenant, a global engineering firm that wants to remain confidential at this time,” said Gross. “Despite this economy, the timing made sense. The Kivels owned the land free and clear. They are strong financially and local. They’ve had the plans ready for about three years.” Each floor is about 13,000 square feet. Rates begin at $26.50 per square-foot. Chestnut Construction is the general contactor and Eglin/Cohen is the architect.

RTD

Jan 24, 2010, 8:02 PM

How many stories is this new class A building?

ThreeHundred

Jan 25, 2010, 1:31 AM

somethingfast

Jan 25, 2010, 9:58 PM

three stories constitutes a hi-rise in tucson :banana:

azliam

Jan 26, 2010, 2:32 AM

three stories constitutes a hi-rise in tucson :banana:

Well, are there more parking lots or hi-rises in downtown Houston?? :slob:

kaneui

Jan 28, 2010, 6:04 AM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/Walgreens.jpg
The old downtown Walgreens building is getting a facade redo that should be finished this summer.
The county is in talks with the university to convert it to space for architecture and urban design students.
(photo: Jill Torrance)

Idle building downtown weighed as UA class space
by Becky Pallack
Arizona Daily Star
January 27, 2010 12:00 am

University of Arizona students could be taking classes in a downtown Tucson architecture and urban design studio as soon as this fall. The UA is in talks with Pima County for a deal that would put the university in the former Walgreens space with a $1- per-year lease. Architecture college Dean Janice Cervelli called the space at North Stone Avenue and East Pennington Street a "fabulous building in a good location." It's near bus stops, and someday streetcar stops, and there are parking garages nearby, she said. "It's a natural for us because we teach urban design, urban revitalization, sustainable design," Cervelli said. "It's a great opportunity for the students to watch the revitalization process occur and be part of it. We can lend a lot of our expertise, as we have for many years, in the revitalization efforts downtown."

Ideally, Cervelli said, subject experts who already work downtown would teach the classes as adjunct faculty. But some faculty members on campus also are interested in teaching downtown, she said. "We think that would be a huge benefit to the downtown," said Reid Spaulding, facilities management director for Pima County. The UA is assessing the costs of operating the building and looking at security considerations, said Bob Smith, the university's associate vice president of planning, design and construction. If the deal goes through, the UA would take over operations and maintenance of the building without having to buy it. The building needs renovations. Smith said the old mechanical and electrical systems are problematic, though Spaulding said they are acceptable. The exterior facade is in bad shape, but the county wants to "restore that building to prominence," Spaulding said. Scaffolding is up as a contractor works on installing a glass-reinforced concrete facade that will look like the original cast stone. The work should be finished this summer, Spaulding said. The county bond project is not part of Rio Nuevo.

While the building has some historical significance, it doesn't meet historical registry requirements because it's been changed too many times through the years, Spaulding said. No private tenants have expressed interest in the space for two years. So if the UA doesn't take the deal, the county probably would put the building back on the market, Spaulding said. The Walgreens closed in 2004. The move is part of a larger plan for the UA to have a presence downtown. But that's barring any more major state budget cuts. The economy will dictate the moves the UA can make, said Cervelli, a master planning specialist who is leading the downtown discussion for the university. "Were we in better financial times, heck yeah, we would be moving on it much more quickly," she said. "Downtown's got incredible potential."

The UA's master plan identifies some departments that could fit well downtown. Public administration is a natural choice because downtown is a center for government employees, Cervelli said. There also is talk of creating a media and communications center downtown by locating several groups in one space. Ideas include Arizona Public Media, Cox Communications, the public access channels and some film production programs. The combination would create synergy for investment and creativity that would help all of the groups advance, Cervelli said. Other options include continuing education programs in demand by those who work downtown. The UA has been looking for other downtown locations but isn't actively reviewing any facilities other than the former Walgreens, Smith said. The UA doesn't have the money to take advantage of available space downtown right now, he said.

DID YOU KNOW
The 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival building at North Stone Avenue and East Pennington Street was designed by noted architect Roy Place. Place also defined the look of the University of Arizona campus as its chief architect.

kaneui

Jan 29, 2010, 5:38 AM

Regents approve Arizona Stadium renovation
By Becky Pallack and Patrick Finley
Arizona Daily Star
January 28, 2010

The $85.7 million renovation of Arizona Stadium's north end zone was approved today by the Arizona Board of Regents, allowing the Wildcats to begin raising private funds to pay for it. The three-pronged plan will move the scoreboard from the north end zone to the south, clearing the way for a structure that will hold football offices, about 5,000 seats and a luxury loge area. Arizona Stadium's lights will also be replaced, and Jimenez Practice Field will be enlarged.

Construction ideally would begin in spring 2011, UA officials said last week. Private donations will pay for the project. In November, the UA received a $10 million gift from Jeff and Sharon Stevens, and that money has been earmarked for the stadium project.

kaneui

Jan 29, 2010, 6:05 AM

RFP's are out for four more ADOT-owned downtown warehouses, as local artists prepare for new landlords and higher rents:

Proposals, Please
Plans to save the Steinfeld Warehouse remain on track—but some are not convinced that's a good thing

by Dave Devine
Tucson Weekly
January 27, 2010

Plans to rehabilitate and re-occupy the historic Steinfeld Warehouse are back on track after a brief derailment. But once restored, will the building be affordable for artist tenants? Last October, the City Council approved requests for proposals (RFPs) on four buildings in Tucson's downtown Warehouse District: the Steinfeld building; the Citizens Transfer warehouse across west Sixth Street from the Steinfeld; and the structures at 191 and 197 E. Toole Ave., the former currently occupied by Skrappy's youth collective. The RFPs called for selling the two buildings on Toole and the Steinfeld warehouse to a "nonprofit arts-related organization" for "arts-related" uses. The Citizens building would be turned over to a similar group to be the master leaseholder.

After the City Council approved the process, all that remained before the RFPs went out for public response was for the city to finalize some property-transfer paperwork with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), which owned the buildings. Then Steve Kozachik, the new Ward 6 councilman, got involved. On Jan. 5, he asked that the RFPs not be issued until the new City Council could discuss them, a proposal the rest of the elected officials approved. "I wanted to open up the process as a way to maximize our revenue," Kozachik says. But then Kozachik changed his mind. "I'm not interested in bumping the kids from Skrappy's," he remarked early last week. "I'd be an asshole if I did." As a result, at the Jan. 20 meeting, the City Council directed the RFP process to proceed.

The city hopes to get $91,000 for the Skrappy's building, and $160,000 for the structure next door. The Citizens building will be leased for around $4,000 per year, with the vacant Steinfeld Warehouse sold for $1. The catch behind that $1 price tag: It could take $1.5 million or more to renovate the Steinfeld Warehouse into an acceptable condition for occupancy. Built in 1907, the structure is in need of numerous repairs. Despite the high rehab costs, City Councilwoman Regina Romero defends the decision for the city to acquire the Steinfeld building from ADOT. "We thought about bookends on Toole Avenue," she explains of the choice, "and looked at leveraging private investment in between." Despite the high rehab price, Marvin Shaver, president of the Warehouse Arts Management Organization (WAMO), believes the Steinfeld Warehouse can be restored, with rents kept reasonable. "The rents (artists) are paying now (to ADOT) are unrealistic," Shaver says of low rents at other downtown warehouses owned by the state. "They'll have to go up but can still be affordable. ... I'm comfortable WAMO can do the (Steinfeld) renovations necessary and keep rents affordable, which means below market rates."

David Aguirre was the master leaseholder for the Steinfeld Warehouse until he and other artists occupying the building were forced to leave in 2007. He is also the longtime manager of the Citizens building and the warehouse immediately north of it. Aguirre agrees the Steinfeld building can be restored based on the revenue stream that future rents would generate. He's developed a possible layout for the huge structure that would include 30 artist studios, a café, performance space and three galleries. "It would be a higher concentration (of tenants than before)," Aguirre suggests, "and the entire use of the basement." If that's done, he believes rents for the property can be kept affordable.

Congressman Raúl Grijalva and Councilwoman Romero are also exploring other funding options for the Warehouse District. In a December letter, Grijalva outlined several possible federal revenue sources while writing: "My office is prepared to request additional funds to assist in making the Historic Warehouse Arts District a reality." Grijalva's Washington, D.C., office confirms that he will sponsor a congressional earmark to obtain money to rehabilitate the Steinfeld Warehouse. However, the city must submit information supporting the request by the end of February in order to have it considered.

Irrespective how that effort turns out, Shaver says WAMO plans on submitting responses on all four RFP properties. "We'd be an umbrella organization," he explains. For his part, Aguirre indicates he'll probably work with WAMO on its Steinfeld proposal—but he adds that he'll submit his own response on the Citizens building. Aguirre says he wants to include the warehouse just north of the Citizens building in his response to the RFP. Even though it is slated for eventual demolition to make room for the proposed downtown Links roadway, Aguirre hopes to make improvements to it in the interim.

Meanwhile, Dwight Metzger, of the Gloo Factory print shop, is renting his space on Toole Avenue from ADOT and is worried about his future. He's aggressively trying to raise enough money to find a permanent, affordable space before his present location is sold by the state. A member of WAMO's board, Metzger questions whether the city's decision to acquire the Steinfeld building from ADOT was correct. Another option, he explains, was to obtain another building that is presently occupied: "Solar Culture has lost control of its destiny," he's says of the building on Toole Avenue that was recently sold to businessman Steve Fenton (See "Toole Avenue: For Sale," Currents, Nov. 12, 2009), "and other artists are facing eviction (from ADOT owned buildings)." As a result, Metzger concludes: "I'm speculating (the city's decision) was regrettably a mistake."

kaneui

Jan 30, 2010, 7:00 PM

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/PascuaYaquicasino.jpg
The Sol Casinos Hotel and Convention Center will include 215 guest rooms,
a convention space for 1,500 people and other amenities.
(render: Leo A. Daly)

Yaquis plan major hotel, convention center here
by Ian Friedman
Arizona Daily Star
January 30, 2010

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, owner of two Tucson-area casinos, announced Friday it will break ground in February on a hotel and convention center expected to create hundreds of jobs. The Sol Casinos Hotel and Convention Center will be an expansion of Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, and is scheduled to open in fall 2011, said Gong Liu, a project director for Phoenix-based McCarthy Construction who will oversee the project. The 161,000-square-foot hotel and convention center will feature 215 luxury hotel rooms, a 1,500-guest convention center, an upscale steakhouse, an international buffet, an exercise facility and full-service spa, an outdoor pool and a multilevel parking structure, the tribe said.

The construction project will create 100 to 200 jobs, which will be filled mostly by local hires, Liu said. "This is definitely a very significant project in this economy," Liu said. "It is a very significant job when jobs are hard to come by." Arizona's construction industry has been especially hard-hit by the recession. There is not yet a precise number for the jobs that will be created once the project is complete, but the tribe said it will be in the hundreds. The project was estimated to cost $98 million, said a news release sent out Friday on behalf of Sol Casinos. But project representatives later said that is a 6-month-old figure that could change and instead described it as a "multimillion-dollar" project.

Sol Casinos CEO Wendell Long said the convention center will aim to attract 30 to 40 medium-sized conventions per year, while also providing meeting space for local businesses. The project is not intended as competition for the city-run Tucson Convention Center's 205,000 square feet of meeting space because the venues are targeting different markets, Long said. "The Tucson people have been very good to us, and it is going to be an upgrade of the facilities for our current customers in Tucson," Long said. "We are always hearing requests that (visitors) want to spend the night, whether it is for the gaming or going to a concert, so this is going to make it a much nicer facility for them." There are also long-term plans to begin construction on a golf course, Long said.

The Tohono O'odham Nation opened the Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel here in 2008, and the rooms are generally filled, said Scott Sirois, CEO of Tohono O'odham Nation Gaming Enterprise. "Our operations are going well. I think we are doing a little better than average in Pima County for hotel occupancy," Sirois said Friday. He said he does not expect the Pascua Yaqui hotel to create much competition because there will be demand for both. The additional conference space is a necessity near Tucson International Airport, he said. "We just ended up recasting one of our empty rooms for additional conference space," Sirois said. "There does not seem to be enough of it when it is in high demand. And it is in high demand."

Larry Hecker, a local attorney and member of Downtown Tucson Partnership's board, said the Sol Casinos project announced Friday can only increase the viability of Tucson as a convention destination. "I think the more people who identify Tucson as a destination for these kind of things - a destination for conventions and for large group meetings - the better everyone does," Hecker said. "It just enhances Tucson's image in the marketplace as a desirable place for conventions and group meetings." At the same time, the revitalization of the Tucson Convention Center is progressing "fairly aggressively," Hecker said. Kimberly Schmitz, director of communications and public relations for the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau, also welcomed Sol Casinos' plans. "The Pascua Yaqui have created some really great products for our destination," Schmitz said. "An additional 215 rooms to Southern Arizona's offering are always welcome, and we will definitely look forward to promoting this and the convention center as part of our product."

IF YOU GO
The groundbreaking is set for 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the site, which is next to the south end of Casino Del Sol at 5655 W. Valencia Road.

kaneui

Jan 31, 2010, 11:43 PM

Even if not awarded its full federal grant request of $69M, the city says it will move forward with construction on a main portion of the streetcar line that would run from TCC to UA's Main Gate:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/Streetcarroutemap.jpg

Downtown-UA streetcar may hinge on US grant
by Rob O'Dell
Arizona Daily Star
January 31, 2010

For years, planning for the revitalization of downtown and growth at the University of Arizona has included a modern streetcar connecting the two as a key cog - a streetcar officials believed was assured federal funds once the right plans were in place. But as federal funds have dried up due to the recession and other demands, Tucson is now pinning its hopes on winning a highly competitive federal stimulus grant of $69 million - a grant for which there are seven times as much in requests as there is money. Winners should be announced within weeks. If the city gets the full amount it requested, combined with $88 million from the Regional Transportation Authority, it can push forward with construction plans that could have pieces of the streetcar line operational by 2012.

However, if the city receives only part of the money, it could be forced to build in phases, perhaps taking on the middle section of the system, from roughly the Tucson Convention Center to the UA's Main Gate. That would put wheels on the tracks and show progress, but come up short of what voters were told to expect when they approved the RTA, and short of providing the service the city and university were banking on. City planners are already looking at other funding options if they don't get the full grant. But the likelihood of success and how long it would take are impossible to predict, which could mean a long delay for the other two legs, from downtown to the west side of the Santa Cruz River and from the Main Gate northeast through campus.

If the city is rejected completely - which city leaders dismiss as a possibility - the short- and medium-term future of the project would be on hold. The city would then need to fund the entire project through other means - such as a congressional earmark or the Federal Transit Administration's "small starts" transportation program, from which the city has received limited funding in the past. "If we get all of it, we'll start immediately," Mayor Bob Walkup said, adding that if the city got part of the money, it would start the project and then try to find the rest elsewhere. "Everybody start praying for the end of next week," he said.

The city and university all in

The city has already spent $12.2 million on the project, including $4.9 million on design for the tracks and $7.3 million for management consulting to oversee the design because the city doesn't have the expertise to handle it. It has not yet begun to buy the trolleys that will run on the tracks. City officials also intend to spend $14.5 million, taken from the street-repair fund, to build the Cushing Street Bridge over the Santa Cruz, which would push its commitment to the streetcar to nearly $27 million before any track is laid or trolley cars purchased.

Developers from the east end of downtown to the west side have touted the streetcar as the reason they plan to spend millions to try to revitalize downtown. "It binds downtown together from the university to the west side," said Larry Hecker, a board member for the Tucson Downtown Partnership. "It is the backbone of what the city is trying to accomplish." In addition, the UA has staked its plans for the coming years on the streetcar coming through campus, thinking students could use it to avoid driving to campus and to travel between downtown and the campus. The UA is starting to look for private partners to build student apartments downtown, an investment city leaders have long coveted. "It's kind of fortuitous that our need for growth and our interest in downtown is happening at the same time as this streetcar plan," said Bob Smith, the UA's associate vice president of planning, design and construction. Without the streetcar, Smith said, the UA would slow its downtown plans.

If city gets less than $69M ...

Walkup said the city would start to move forward with some of the streetcar work and try to find other funding to make up the difference if the city is not successful in getting the full $69 million. He said there are five or six other sources where the city could apply for money, so if even partial funding from the feds comes through, the city will start construction while looking for the rest of the money, Walkup said. The February grant, however, is the city's best shot at getting most of the funding it needs to get the streetcar work started, officials say.

City Transportation Director Jim Glock said building between the Main Gate and TCC makes sense if that's all the money the city gets, because it gets the project started and the design of that stretch is further along than the rest anyway. RTA Executive Director Gary Hayes said the authority will consider releasing its full $88 million to pay for a short line, if it can get assurances the city will come up with money to finish the job. That's a significant shift for the RTA, which, until now, has been reluctant to release any money until the city had its more than $70 million obligation locked down. But Hayes said he wouldn't release the money if he thought the city would only build the middle segment and not finish the job. He said the RTA plan calls for the whole streetcar line to be done within 20 years, so if it was phased but then totally complete within 20 years, the RTA would consider that consistent with what voters approved. "That would put the onus on the city to put together a package to how they are going to fund the rest," Hayes said.

One potential source is the FTA's "new starts" and "small starts" program, from which the city sought money before, without success. Earlier this month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rescinded a requirement that made projects meet a "medium" standard of cost-effectiveness to qualify for funding - a standard Tucson's modern streetcar does not meet. The new rules make it easier to meet the FTA's minimum standard, and allow it to consider the project's potential economic development impact, and its environmental, social and congestion-relief benefits.

Leaders hopeful

City and regional leaders are high on the streetcar's chances, suggesting LaHood or even Vice President Joe Biden could come to Tucson to announce the city is getting the full $69 million for the streetcar. Hecker and city transportation officials said they heard a rumor Biden called Walkup to tell him that he would come to Tucson to announce the grant. Walkup said Biden never called him to say that. Instead, he talked with Biden's staff when he was in Washington, and they said they would recommend to Biden that he travel to Tucson if the city gets the grant. Given there were $10 billion to $12 billion worth of requests for the $1.5 billion in grant money, Walkup said he will be "thrilled" with a grant in the $40 million to $50 million range.

Modern streetcar, by the numbers

• Total streetcar cost: $163 million, plus $14.5 million for Cushing Street Bridge

• Total project: $178 million

• Regional Transportation Authority contribution: $88 million

• City contribution (through federal grants): $75 million

• Federal money already received: $6 million

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The UA is planning numerous new buildings around the expected streetcar and trolley line through the campus:

Streetcar would ease congestion, enhance UA, planners say
by Becky Pallack
Arizona Daily Star
January 31, 2010

University of Arizona planners see the proposed streetcar as the solution to campus congestion as they plan for booming student enrollment. The streetcar would allow students and faculty members to move between the campus and the downtown area in less than 30 minutes. People could come to campus without bringing their cars, and that would reduce the need for parking garages and ease traffic congestion on campus, said Bob Smith, the UA's associate vice president of planning, design and construction.

The university wants to find a private partner interested in developing student apartments near streetcar stops downtown, Smith said. The UA will issue a request for proposals this spring, he said. The streetcar line would be a "major artery" connecting the UA to downtown, said Architecture College dean Janice Cervelli, a master-planning specialist who is leading the downtown discussion for the UA. All along the proposed line, the UA sees potential for development, from downtown classes for working professionals to mixed-use buildings, she said. The UA's presence would, in turn, spur more private development, Cervelli said. Select classes also could be held downtown, starting with architecture programs, as soon as this fall. UA administrators met regularly with city officials to collaborate on how the line could be located on campus to minimize traffic disruptions and enhance pedestrian malls, Smith said.

Here are some of the trolley-centered ideas from the UA plan.

• Coming from downtown, the streetcar would enter the UA near the Main Gate, move north along Park Avenue and east along Second Street. Second Street could be densified with new student housing.

• Then the streetcar would move north along the Warren Avenue pedestrian mall, passing under Speedway and ending at the Arizona Health Sciences Center and University Medical Center. The vision for Warren Avenue centers on the streetcar "further energizing that pedestrian walkway and creating an even better link from the main campus to the health sciences campus," Smith said. With or without the streetcar, the UA would like to build additional academic research buildings along Warren. That was an idea from the 2003 master plan - created before the city started talking about trolleys. But the streetcar line enhances the idea, Smith said.

• Near Campbell Avenue and Helen Street, where the line would end, the university would like to work with a private partner to develop a major block near Campbell and Speedway to include a mixed-use office project. The vision includes a parking garage for commuters who want to get around campus using the streetcar.

PartyLine

Feb 1, 2010, 4:33 PM

So what do you guys hope for Tucson in terms of development in the coming years?

I wonder why Tucson hasn't gotten more shopping like a Nordstroms or Saks by now it's certantly big enough to support those kinda stores something like the Biltmore fashion Park in Phoenix.

Don B.

Feb 1, 2010, 6:29 PM

I do note Tucson's housing prices are higher than Phoenix's. Put another way, prices in Phoenix have dropped more.

3Q 2009: Source, www.realtor.com (http://www.realtor.com)

Phoenix: $142,000
Tucson: $174,000

--don

kaneui

Feb 1, 2010, 6:33 PM

I wonder why Tucson hasn't gotten more shopping like a Nordstroms or Saks by now it's certantly big enough to support those kinda stores something like the Biltmore fashion Park in Phoenix.

Nordstrom was originally planned to be part of La Encantada until its proposed size was reduced to appease the neighborhood. And with this economic downturn, don't expect to see many large retailers in expansion mode during the next several years.

kaneui

Feb 2, 2010, 10:03 AM

Veterans facility in Tucson set to break ground
by J. Craig Anderson
Feb. 1, 2010
The Arizona Republic

Principal construction is set to begin in mid-March on a housing and long-term-care facility in Tucson for U.S. military veterans. The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services awarded the $28 million design-build project to Arizona contractors Haydon Building Corp. and SDB Inc. and Arizona architectural firm Orcutt-Winslow. Construction of the 130,000-square-foot Tucson Veterans Home is scheduled to break ground March 19 and open in the second quarter of 2011, an SDB spokesman said.

Funded by $18 million in federal stimulus money and a required $10 million matching contribution from the state, the project will provide jobs to Arizona construction workers for about a year, said Harry Sherwood, SDB director of business development. The facility, adjacent to the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System at 3601 S. Sixth Ave., will serve up to 120.

kaneui

Feb 2, 2010, 6:58 PM

Downtown's historic 1880s Bates Mansion (the former Casablanca Bar and Grill) is being rehabbed for offices, community space, and perhaps a new restaurant:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/BatesMansion.jpg
(photo: Downtown Tucsonan)

Restoration to Grandeur
By Carli Brosseau
Zocalo Tucson Magazine
January 26, 2010

The long boarded up, rose-colored adobe at the southeast corner of Stone Avenue and Franklin Street, 283 N. Stone Ave., is being revived. The Center for Desert Archaeology and artist Seth Schindler bought the 16,000 square foot complex in September, and the archeologists moved in January 27. The plan, however, is not just for offices, but also for community space. The gates are finally to be flung open, and the place is bigger and grander than one might think. The labyrinthine, 1880s mansion was formerly home to Casablanca Bar and Grill and, before that, the exclusive Mountain Oyster Club, galleries and artist studios. Earlier, it belonged to rancher and accountant Charles Bates, who remodeled in the 1950s, adding mirror-studded murals by Salvador Corona, an outside bedroom with a separate feline entrance and a second-floor swimming pool.

The next phase in construction includes outfitting attorney offices in the rooms facing Stone Avenue, looking east at the empty lot which is slated to (eventually) hold a new county courthouse. The courtyard will be redone in brick and landscaped to hold events, and a gallery and restaurant are expected to open perhaps two years from now, said artist Susan French, who is managing the details of the remodel. Both partners in the restoration saw the project as a matter of community. Working in an old, preserved building seemed appropriate to the archeologists, and the artists saw an opportunity for a restorative project to build community downtown. "There's so much potential here," French said, pointing out the established and planned galleries and studios near the Stone Avenue underpass. "We can't wait to get the community in here. For so long, this place has been so mysterious."

kaneui

Feb 5, 2010, 6:47 PM

Another perspective on Tucson's urban renewal efforts of the 1960s:

'60s urban renewal removed blight, set stage for future
by S.L. "Si" Schorr
Special to the Arizona Daily Star
February 5, 2010

Recent public comments have mischaracterized Tucson's 1960s urban renewal program as directed, bad decisions made 40 and 50 years ago, an impediment to downtown redevelopment, a mistake by which Tucson lost 300 to 400 historic houses and the cause of the demise of downtown. Such comments, many of which may have become accepted as "conventional wisdom," do not square with the facts. So let's set the record straight.

Years before Tucson's downtown urban renewal project was first proposed in the '50s, the area (much of downtown and the community center area) had become blighted. Many people and businesses had left. The Old Pueblo District, Tucson's first 392-acre urban renewal project, was proposed in the late 1950s but not submitted to a public vote. Tucson Citizen columnist Don Schellie wrote: "If Tucson has a skid row, then this is it. Meyer Street and the network of alleys and avenues that surrounds it - Sabino, Convent, Ochoa, McCormick, Franklin. Skid row, Tucson, Arizona, USA."

In September 1964, the Tucson City Council wanted a new plan. They recognized that the south Meyer Street area had become, by the 1950s, a "blighted and deteriorated" slum area; changing economic patterns had forced residents and businesses to seek new locations in growing areas of the community (El Con Mall, the first enclosed shopping mall in Tucson, planned in the late 1950s, opened in 1960); absentee slumlords neglected building maintenance; many buildings stood vacant; and private enterprise was not going to be able to undertake downtown revitalization. This effort resulted in the Pueblo Center Project, covering 80 acres of the initial 392-acre plan. On March 1, 1966, a referendum on this federally financed project was approved by a 3-2 vote of the people. The Pueblo Center Redevelopment Project provided for:

• The Tucson Art Center, incorporating several restored historic buildings.

• Sites for the county's present administration, courts, health buildings and federal building.

• The 610-space El Presidio parking garage.

• Pedestrian overpasses.

• La Placita.

• A 300-room hotel.

• The Convention Center, Music Hall, 500-seat (Leo Rich) theater and exhibit hall.

• Sites for a central fire station and police station.

This scaled-down project, initiated in 1964, targeted the heart of the blighted and deteriorated slum area, which involved 118 individual householders, 142 families and 105 businesses. It was a prudent civil decision and the result of, and in response to, the well-documented deteriorating conditions in the area - clearly not their cause. From the 1970s on, with some notable exceptions (La Entrada projects, the east end of downtown and planning for the new modern streetcar line), the city has been unsuccessful in stimulating meaningful downtown residential redevelopment. The controversial Rio Nuevo project boundaries excluded much of downtown and primarily focused on the Convention Center area and the area west of Interstate 10. The Pueblo Center Urban Renewal project, in fact, stabilized downtown by providing needed infrastructure and sites for public and other buildings, and strategic private development.

The central element lacking in the 1960s redevelopment project was provision for a downtown housing component, ostensibly to be provided by the private sector. Its absence remains today as the principal barrier to robust downtown development. Still, without the stimulus provided by urban renewal decades ago, the present downtown would have deteriorated even more - exponentially. Tucson needs a vibrant downtown. Unfortunately, not nearly enough has been done in recent decades to make this happen. Redevelopment in the east end of downtown and a modern streetcar line can serve as an impetus for a new and rejuvenated future downtown, for which urban renewal provided the foundation.

P.S. - As noted by numerous online comments to this editorial, the city did little to help the hundreds of minority residents and businesses displaced by this grand "urban renewal" plan.

kaneui

Feb 9, 2010, 6:05 AM

Downtown gains another corporate headquarters, with Providence Service Corp. relocating to The Scott, which recently completed a facade restoration and is located across the street from the proposed UniSource headquarters building:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/64EBroadway-newfacade.jpg
The Scott - 64 E. Broadway
(photo: Peach Properties)

Providence Corp. moving headquarters to The Scott
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
February 08, 2010

Providence Service Corp., a Tucson-based national provider of behavioral and education services, will move Downtown this summer to 64 E. Scott Ave., a historic building rechristened The Scott after a façade restoration. Providence has 11,000 employees nationwide and about 50 employees at its corporate headquarters, 5524 E. Fourth St. Providence’s move comes on the heels of Madden Media’s move to Downtown last summer. Madden moved 70 employees from Fort Lowell Road, and helped recruit Providence Downtown, along with the mayor’s office, the Downtown Tucson Partnership and Tucson Electric Power, which plans to build a new corporate headquarters across Scott Avenue from The Scott.

“This will put two of Tucson’s public companies side by side and should further support the Downtown area as a developing business environment,” McCusker said in a news release. “The recent improvements Downtown, such as the Scott streetscape, Rialto block facade improvements, new restaurants, retail and fitness space along with the promise of a more friendly business environment, helped convince the Company to relocate.”

Patricia and Ron Schwabe, who own The Scott, got $125,000 from the city’s Façade Improvement Program to restore the original 1909 brick façade and the adjoining 1919 Prairie School design. These two buildings had been hidden under a single façade in 1984. Patricia Schwabe had negotiated with a bar and grill to go downstairs but she said Providence needed all the downstairs space as well as the upstairs offices. “Providence could have gone anywhere in the city,” Mayor Bob Walkup said in a statement. “We are thrilled to see them come Downtown. Hopefully this is another spark to get local and national businesses to see the value and long term prospects of a Downtown Tucson location.”

Providence provides A to Z In-Home Tutoring in Tucson as well as the Providence of Arizona Therapeutic Foster Home Program. Providence already had a presence Downtown as it coordinated the establishment of the Tucson Academy of Leadership & Arts, a kindergarten-to-eighth grade charter school at ArtFare The Muse, 55 N. Sixth Ave. Providence Chief Executive Fletcher McCusker was chairman of ArtFare’s board.

For more information on Providence, visit www.provcorp.com.

kaneui

Feb 9, 2010, 6:42 AM

With a public opening scheduled for March 6, MOCA Tucson has moved into its first permanent home--the former Fire Dept. HQ building at 265 S. Church Ave., across from the convention center:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/kaneui/MOCA_Entry_03.jpg
The planned plaza for MOCA Tucson
(rendering: MOCA Tucson)

MOCA gala honors Tucson painter Mosset
Saturday's fundraiser provides promising introduction to future of Tucson art

by Maggie Golston
TucsonSentinel.com
Feb. 8, 2010

Tucson's Museum of Contemporary Art held Gala MOCA 2010 on Saturday, the inaugural event at the museum's new home at 265 South Church Avenue. The new space for MOCA, the former downtown fire station, was rapidly transformed for the occasion into a ballroom, and galleries were open to the gala's 300 guests. The evening was a tribute to Tucson-based painter, Olivier Mosset. Mosset began his career as the "M" in the 1966-67 Paris-based BMPT movement, a group dedicated to radically simple forms of painting as a means of interrogating art itself. Mosset's large, monochromatic paintings force the viewer to confront her own method of apprehending art, and of drawing meaning from a visual source at all.

The completed exhibition, entitled "Made in Tucson/Born in Tucson/Live in Tucson," promises to be a bold and expansive one. As the title states, each piece in the show has a direct link to Tucson; however, this is no mere amassing of work at hand. Many national and international artists with some tie to Tucson have been assembled in one show to honor the city's place in the larger art world. Most of the works are recent, with a few pieces by the likes of Raymond Pettibon, Dick Tuck, Don Bell and Carolyn Leigh providing a bit of historical context. As of this moment, sculptors Dave Lewis and Julia Latane are hard at work installing large works in the space that housed Saturday's party.

Formed in 1999 by Tucson artists, MOCA began exhibiting as a museum in 2003, under the direction of art historian and scholar Anne-Marie Russell. The Church Ave. location will be the first permanent home for the group, whose dedication to fostering a sense of community, as well as a constant commitment new art and new ideas, is already taking shape in the warren of small galleries that once housed the offices for the Tucson Fire Department. Russell's approach to curating the space is deliberately counter to a traditional museum experience. She eschews wall text in favor of a map for visitors and a reading room for further study of exhibited works. She explained, "I want that first feeling when one sees the work to be direct and unmediated." "We have no real visual literacy training in America," Russell continued. "But every person on this planet is capable of apprehending a work of art. Even I, as a longtime lover and scholar of art, tend to turn immediately to the wall text in a gallery, instead of engaging the art directly."

University of Arizona Art History professor Paul Ivey delivered an eloquent tribute to Mosset, said Russell. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords addressed the crowd, sharing her interest in bringing solar power to the museum. A plan is in the works to install solar photovoltaics, or PV panels, to the roof at the museum. Also announced at the event was Cox Communications' intention to sponsor the building of a plaza for the museum. This potential large contribution to MOCA's buildout bodes well for a resurgence of private funding for the arts in Tucson, even as the recession and attendant budget issues would seem to send the wolves to the door of arts organizations. The gala continued well into the evening, with performances by Flam Chen and an 80s dance party. If the guests thought previously that such edgy, hip arts events were not feasible in Tucson, they were almost certainly converted. And come March 6, all of Tucson will meet the new, brave face of MOCA Tucson, and of Tucson art itself.

For more information, visit www.moca-tucson.org.

kaneui

Feb 12, 2010, 5:26 AM

While this new feasibility study gives a thumbs up to building the TCC hotel, it will be a challenge getting favorable financing with Tucson's lowered bond rating:

Report: Convention Center hotel is feasible
by Teya Vitu
Downtown Tucsonan
February 11, 2010

A roughly $200 million, 525-room Tucson Convention Center hotel is feasible for Downtown, according to a market analysis released Feb. 11. Chicago-based HVS Convention, Sports and Entertainment determined that a Sheraton headquarters hotel would create a profit for Sheraton and be able to service debt. HVS reached its conclusion by estimating occupancy rates of 50 percent to 68 percent in the hotel’s first four years of operation and average room rates of $136 to $163 from 2012 to 2015. Those figures resemble the averages of the Tucson region’s seven major resorts. “This is a very conservative report,” said Jeff DiGregorio, a member of the Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District Board. “These numbers look extremely credible to me.”

The ambition is for the hotel to open in July 2012 at the northwest corner of the TCC. “Ideally, this summer we could start construction,” DiGregorio said. The next step is to nail down construction costs and develop a capital plan that would likely involve bonding against Rio Nuevo tax increment financing revenue, DiGregorio said. The Rio Nuevo Board, however, is unable to act now because the Legislature has increased the board size from four to 12, but the Senate, House and governor have not yet appointed members. DiGregorio has been told that enough members will be appointed by March 1 to establish a quorum. DiGregorio said building a hotel now could cost considerably less because construction costs are rock bottom, though the bond market is not ideal.

aznate27

Feb 12, 2010, 8:54 AM

poconoboy61

Feb 12, 2010, 8:53 PM

This isn't going to happen is it? I can already feel it...(sigh):shrug:

There's no need for a new hotel. If the Rio Nuevo board is smart they'll cancel this project.

Tucson could use some more high-rise development, but this proposed hotel is completely unnecessary.

atbg8654

Feb 13, 2010, 7:19 PM

There's no need for a new hotel. If the Rio Nuevo board is smart they'll cancel this project.

Tucson could use some more high-rise development, but this proposed hotel is completely unnecessary.

Like what type of high-rise development?

ThreeHundred

Feb 13, 2010, 8:03 PM

I want to see more 4-8 story residential projects rather than the hotel. Matter of fact, I would much rather see a large multi condo project on the site of the future TEP headquarters. There is a nice parking lot next to the Chase Building that seems much more suited for office development.

poconoboy61

Feb 14, 2010, 5:02 AM

Like what type of high-rise development?

I would like to see more residential and office buildings. But there really isn't a market nor a need for either.

Like it or not, Tucson's skyline fits the city's needs. If there was a need for additional high-rise space it would have been constructed.

Tucson really does need to take a street-level approach in revitalizing its downtown. Some glassy, 25-story hotel is not going to change the tackiness and lack of street activity that exists downtown now.

PartyLine

Feb 14, 2010, 8:34 AM

I would like to see more residential and office buildings. But there really isn't a market nor a need for either.

Like it or not, Tucson's skyline fits the city's needs. If there was a need for additional high-rise space it would have been constructed.

Tucson really does need to take a street-level approach in revitalizing its downtown. Some glassy, 25-story hotel is not going to change the tackiness and lack of street activity that exists downtown now.

Some condos DT Tucson probably would help with street activity like here in Austin they've built condos downtown like crazy and now our DT is bustling with street activity cause alot of people live and work in DT Austin now when 5 or so years ago DT Austin was kinda dead except for 6th st.

azliam

Feb 14, 2010, 11:18 AM

I would like to see more residential and office buildings. But there really isn't a market nor a need for either.

Like it or not, Tucson's skyline fits the city's needs. If there was a need for additional high-rise space it would have been constructed.

Tucson really does need to take a street-level approach in revitalizing its downtown. Some glassy, 25-story hotel is not going to change the tackiness and lack of street activity that exists downtown now.

I don't know what planet you live on, but regardless of the fact that Tucson has not much when it comes to high-rises, it certainly makes up for it when it comes to street activity, especially on Congress and 4th Avenue on the weekend (and certainly more than Phoenix offers on a regular basis). Of course Tucson is no Austin and leaves lots of room for improvement, yet the street activity has most certainly improved in the past 1.5 yrs. BTW, most of the improvements downtown have been concentrated on the "street-level approach". Certainly you understand this...(???)...

kaneui

Feb 14, 2010, 11:41 PM

Citizens Warehouse is the new home for some displaced galleries relocating from Congress St.:

Downtown Shuffle
By Carli Brosseau
Zocalo Tucson Magazine
January 28, 2010

Housing 30 artist studios, the Citizens Warehouse, at 44 W. 6th St., has long been a hub of the Tucson art scene. But with several Congress Street galleries being forced out in favor of a large restaurant/bar, its role appears set to grow even bigger. “We’re planning to do a lot of community events,” said David Aguirre, who manages the property as well as Dinnerware ArtSpace and Central Arts Gallery, both housed in the Citizens. “It was getting pretty glum over there (on Congress),” he said. The two galleries cleared out in late November, about two months before the landlord-imposed deadline. Scott Stiteler and Don Martin are replacing the former arts district with a planned restaurant, bar and cooking school.

The Parasol Project is moving into Citizens, too, from its former location at 299 S. Park Ave. in the Lost Barrio, to the annex of the main building. “They’re also reorganizing,” Aguirre said, though Parasol Project coordinators were mum on the details. Some groups may be moving out, not in. Aguirre said Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage, aka BICAS, will be leaving its longtime home at Citizens. But shop coordinator Troy Nieman said, “For now, we’re not.” Nieman said BICAS had been looking at other possible locations but hadn’t found one that was affordable.

The addition of the galleries to Citizens is incompatible with BICAS, which presents security problems, Aguirre said. He and BICAS recently resolved a rent dispute. The uncertainty about what will or will not happen is based, at least in part, on the status of the building’s ownership. The warehouse is set to be transferred from the Arizona Department of Transportation to the city government in February. The city will then contract out the management. Aguirre, who has been the manager and has overseen the effort to bring the building up to city code, expects city officials will see the logic in continuing to work with him. He also expects the city to agree to put the rent toward building improvements such as a new roof. “I’ve been working for this change for about 20 years,” Aguirre said. “I’m working for permanent, affordable spaces for artists. I think it’s what the city wants, and I think it’s what artists want.”

Vicelord John

Feb 15, 2010, 12:26 AM

Locofresh55

Feb 15, 2010, 1:15 AM

Agreed. When I was last in Tucson, there was quite a bit of activitiy up and down broadway downtown and also on 4th. Both areas had a lot of stores and action. Probably moreso than Phoenix, but less than Tempe.

Agreed, Tempe's Mill Avenue has more to offer than 4th Avenue in Tucson. But Tucson has its own unique atmosphere when it comes to 4th avenue and the developers here should reflect on that and give 4th avenue its own identity.

PartyLine

Feb 15, 2010, 2:48 AM

Something similar to this that we have here in Austin could be nice downtown Tucson you all my have something like this downtown haven't been to Tucson in years so I dunno.

http://www.2ndstreetdistrict.com/

poconoboy61

Feb 15, 2010, 7:24 AM

I don't know what planet you live on, but regardless of the fact that Tucson has not much when it comes to high-rises, it certainly makes up for it when it comes to street activity, especially on Congress and 4th Avenue on the weekend (and certainly more than Phoenix offers on a regular basis). Of course Tucson is no Austin and leaves lots of room for improvement, yet the street activity has most certainly improved in the past 1.5 yrs. BTW, most of the improvements downtown have been concentrated on the "street-level approach". Certainly you understand this...(???)...

Yes, there's street activity on the weekend. I believe I was the person who carried on the argument that there is no other city in Arizona that has a pedestrian-friendly zone as large as the one that extends from the University, down University, to 4th Avenue, to Congress Street.

But again, there are five other days than the weekend. Go downtown on a Tuesday night and tell me how much pedestrian activity you see. Hell, go downtown on a Tuesday afternoon and tell me how much pedestrian activity you see.

Anyway, my argument was against a high-rise hotel. I fail to see how people going to dance and get smashed on Fridays and Saturdays warrants the construction of a 25-story Sheraton. If you have an idea, let me know. :shrug:

Tucson is so LAUGHABLY far from Austin it's not funny. Tucson doesn't want to become Austin and will NEVER come close.

My general argument is that Tucson should CONTINUE to take a street-level approach in trying to improve downtown. There is no need to build unwarranted high-rises. :yes:

azliam

Feb 15, 2010, 8:56 PM

Yes, there's street activity on the weekend. I believe I was the person who carried on the argument that there is no other city in Arizona that has a pedestrian-friendly zone as large as the one that extends from the University, down University, to 4th Avenue, to Congress Street.

But again, there are five other days than the weekend. Go downtown on a Tuesday night and tell me how much pedestrian activity you see. Hell, go downtown on a Tuesday afternoon and tell me how much pedestrian activity you see.

Anyway, my argument was against a high-rise hotel. I fail to see how people going to dance and get smashed on Fridays and Saturdays warrants the construction of a 25-story Sheraton. If you have an idea, let me know. :shrug:

Tucson is so LAUGHABLY far from Austin it's not funny. Tucson doesn't want to become Austin and will NEVER come close.

My general argument is that Tucson should CONTINUE to take a street-level approach in trying to improve downtown. There is no need to build unwarranted high-rises. :yes:

If you really think that many of those clubs do not draw any crowds on nights other than Fridays and Saturdays, you're quite mistaken. I agree with Tucson continuing to improve it's downtown and that includes both the street-level approach as well as luring more businesses downtown. There is no reason why a downtown hotel shouldn't be built right next to the convention center. The hotel should have been built YEARS ago, and I wonder just how many conventions passed up Tucson because there weren't adequate amount of rooms available/space available at the convention center.

I used to live in Austin, so I'm very well aware of how Tucson compares to Austin. Tucson's liberal vibe has more in common with Austin than it does with Phoenix, and I believe that is the point I was trying to get to.

ThreeHundred

Feb 16, 2010, 12:21 AM

Interesting...

Friday, February 12, 2010

Report: Beavers could spend year in Tucson
Portland Business Journal

A Tucson, Ariz., newspaper reported this week that the Portland Beavers are seeking a temporary home there for the 2011 season.

The Beavers could move back to Portland after a year in Tucson or another city.

The Arizona Daily Star reported that the team is researching potential markets if the team decides to move for at least a year. Chris Metz, the Beavers vice president of baseball operations and communications, declined to identify other markets for the Star.

The conversations took place with the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority.

Beavers owner Merritt Paulson acknowledged he’s been approached by cities outsid eof Portland offering “potential contingency plans.”

“My goal remains to keep the Beavers in Portland or the Portland-area, and in the past year we’ve advanced three good, but unsuccessful, stadium financing plans to do just that,” Paulson said in a statement. “We continue to seek support from area government partners who recognize the economic opportunities and community benefits that an intimate new stadium would provide for Triple-A baseball and beyond.”

Paulson called the overturnes “not our preferred option but one that we have no choice to consider, given the timelines involved.”

The Beavers will be displaced from PGE Park in 2011 once the Portland Timbers begin Major League Soccer play. The baseball team actively sought other Portland-area stadium sites but was unable to reach deals to build a new stadium in Southeast Portland, in the Rose Quarter and in Beaverton.

Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority, said the idea makes sense.

“They know they do need to do research on a temporary solution before we find a permanent solution here,” he said. “It’s pretty understandable they’ll be talking to people in different areas. We’re still operating under the premise that what they’d do would be temporary.”

The preliminary discussions broached the use of either Tucson Electric Park and Hi Corbett Field, both in Tucson, for the Beavers. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies currently train at the parks.

Those teams will move to Scottsdale, Ariz., next year.

HooverDam

Feb 16, 2010, 1:32 AM

^Interesting but Tucson wouldn't support the Toros/Sidewinders (and every other minor league team the city has ever had), why would they go out and spend money on a team they know if there on an interim basis?

EDIT: VV Again Tucson likely wouldn't support it. They have an awful track record when it comes to minor league teams. Id love for the D-League to expand to the point where each NBA team has its own D-league affiliate like the AAA system in baseball. But for the Suns it would actually probably make more sense for them to have a D-league team play in Prescott Valley at Tims Toyota Center.

PartyLine

Feb 16, 2010, 4:39 AM

An NBA Development league team could be cool In Tucson we have one here that's owned by the Spurs

http://www.nba.com/dleague/

poconoboy61

Feb 16, 2010, 10:46 AM

If you really think that many of those clubs do not draw any crowds on nights other than Fridays and Saturdays, you're quite mistaken. I agree with Tucson continuing to improve it's downtown and that includes both the street-level approach as well as luring more businesses downtown. There is no reason why a downtown hotel shouldn't be built right next to the convention center. The hotel should have been built YEARS ago, and I wonder just how many conventions passed up Tucson because there weren't adequate amount of rooms available/space available at the convention center.

I used to live in Austin, so I'm very well aware of how Tucson compares to Austin. Tucson's liberal vibe has more in common with Austin than it does with Phoenix, and I believe that is the point I was trying to get to.

Seeing as these clubs are only open Thursday-Saturday, I would say that I am not mistaken at all.

There are plenty of hotels in the downtown area that are completely fine for handling whatever the TCC brings. A 25-story hotel is just not necessary.

somethingfast

Feb 16, 2010, 3:29 PM

azliam

Feb 16, 2010, 3:41 PM

Seeing as these clubs are only open Thursday-Saturday, I would say that I am not mistaken at all.

There are plenty of hotels in the downtown area that are completely fine for handling whatever the TCC brings. A 25-story hotel is just not necessary.

Again, you are wrong about when the bars and clubs are open, and you are sounding more like a NIMBY every second you speak.

ThreeHundred

Feb 16, 2010, 4:22 PM

Did anyone else those weird lights in the sky last night around 10 or so?

atbg8654

Feb 17, 2010, 1:03 AM

There are plenty of hotels in the downtown area that are completely fine for handling whatever the TCC brings. A 25-story hotel is just not necessary.

Isnt the gem show threatening to pull out if this hotel is not built?

Teacher_AZ_84

Feb 17, 2010, 2:07 AM

Seeing as these clubs are only open Thursday-Saturday, I would say that I am not mistaken at all.

There are plenty of hotels in the downtown area that are completely fine for handling whatever the TCC brings. A 25-story hotel is just not necessary.

The Arizona Hotel is not adequate. That place is a dump and cannot even officially change its signage.

Teacher_AZ_84

Feb 17, 2010, 2:07 AM

Locofresh55

Feb 17, 2010, 5:06 AM

The Gem show was upset at the fact that no real progress has been made with the Hotel and TCC expansion. The new entrance to the TCC almost didn't happen and it was delayed two months. Sometimes you just need to build something to lure somebody in or keep them in place.

kaneui

Feb 17, 2010, 6:27 AM

Even if it's not the full $75M requested, the Transportation Secretary's visit to Tucson practically guarantees that the city will get some federal stimulus funds for the planned streetcar line:

Transportation chief is coming here this week
LaHood may make announcement about funding streetcar line

by Rob O' Dell
Arizona Daily Star
February 16, 2010

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is scheduled to be in Tucson this week, where he is expected to make a major announcement, possibly about funding for the city's planned streetcar connecting the University of Arizona with downtown. The city applied for a federal grant - through stimulus funds - to build the rail line and has been expecting a response this week, perhaps as soon as today. LaHood has scheduled a press conference for Thursday morning at the Historic Train Depot, adjacent to recently completed Fourth Avenue Underpass, which was designed with the light rail line in mind.

Congressman Raúl Grijalva said he has no details about the visit other than that it involves a "major transportation initiative," but hopes it will result in funding for a major portion of the $150 million cost to build the four-mile rail line. "I'll be very gratified if that's what it is. It's something we've been working toward for three, nearly four years," Grijalva said. No city officials could be reached Monday. Offices were closed for Presidents Day. The four-mile modern streetcar would run from near the University Medical Center through downtown to the west side of the Santa Cruz River. The Regional Transportation Plan and tax approved by voters in 2006 included $88 million for it, with another $75 million to come from federal grants. Anything left after construction and equipment is paid for can be used to pay operating costs in the early years.

The city has already received $6 million in federal money for planning and design. It has spent $12.2 million on the project, and plans to spend another $13 million for a Cushing Street bridge to take the streetcar over the Santa Cruz. If the funding comes through, city officials hope the streetcar line can be under construction later this year and be operational in 2012. LaHood will be the second Cabinet-level figure Grijalva has brought to Tucson this week. This morning Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will appear at the Pima County One Stop Center to announce a major jobs program grant.

poconoboy61

Feb 17, 2010, 6:55 AM

^ dude, dont be a smackass. of course tucson probably doesnt need a new building of any kind (demand and all) but tucson DESPERATELY needs a new "tall" building so, misguided as it might be, lets embrace even the smallest possibility of new construction. sheesh.

So I'm being a "smackass" for having sense. You just want a building constructed because you have some sort of weird fetish for high-rise buildings. Look at the the Arizona Daily Star forums, no one wants this.

I don't care about development when it's basically on the taxpayers' dime.

If it's not economically feasible, why build it?

Thank God you don't hold public office.

Again, you are wrong about when the bars and clubs are open, and you are sounding more like a NIMBY every second you speak.

Prove to me that I am wrong. You can't.

Isnt the gem show threatening to pull out if this hotel is not built?

Yes, but if the city actually had a business-friendly stance this wouldn't be happening. If the gem show is threatening to pick up stakes because of a hotel, let them go.

I didn't hear any whining this year about the lack of a hotel.

The Arizona Hotel is not adequate. That place is a dump and cannot even officially change its signage.

There are more hotels in the area than just the Hotel Arizona. There are hotels along the frontage road of the freeway and there are hotels near the U of A. With this modern streetcar project in the works it will be simple for people to just hop on the streetcar and go downtown.

Just for the sake of pissing you people off, I hope plans for this hotel fall through.

azliam

Feb 17, 2010, 3:21 PM

Prove to me that I am wrong. You can't.

Dude, I've been going out in Tucson since late '92, and therefore, do not need to prove anything to you. I do not find you credible, but you are proving yourself to be a smackass NIMBY. I wouldn't be surprised if you're one of those people who doesn't even live in the city limits, enjoys using the services in the city, yet wishes to complain about any dime spent, but doesn't spend any himself. Do you even live in Tucson?

azliam

Feb 17, 2010, 7:25 PM

"Big day for Tucson"
Tucson secures federal funding for streetcar project

Rhonda Bodfield Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tucson will receive a $63 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund the city’s planned streetcar connecting the University of Arizona campus with downtown.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be in Tucson Thursday morning at the Historic Train Depot to make the formal announcement about the stimulus fund grant, which will be used toward the cost of constructing the four-mile, $150 million project.

“This is a big day for Tucson and a big day for Arizona,” U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva said in a prepared statement. “There are few systems like this in the country, and Tucsonans are once again proud to be ahead of the curve.”

Grijalva said with 10 percent of Tucsonans living, working or going to school within walking distance of the streetcar, the investment “will be repaid several times over through increased transportation efficiency, expanded commercial access, pollution reduction and progress on Rio Nuevo. This is exactly the kind of project that shows why the Recovery Act was a vital step in rebuilding the economy.”

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ spokesman C.J. Karamargin said the congresswoman is pleased with the announcement. “It will bring jobs and economic development at a critical time when we need it most,” he said.

The streetcar would run from near the University Medical Center through downtown to the west side of the Santa Cruz River. The Regional Transportation Plan and tax approved by voters in 2006 included $88 million for it, with another $75 million to come from federal grants. Anything left after construction and equipment is paid for can be used to pay operating costs in the early years.

The city has already received $6 million in federal money for planning and design. It has spent $12.2 million on the project, and plans to spend another $13 million for a Cushing Street bridge to take the streetcar over the Santa Cruz.

City officials hope the streetcar line can be under construction later this year and be operational in 2012.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_5166ec4a-1be2-11df-b9d9-001cc4c03286.html