Thanks for the Progress of 2007
h, the holiday season. The time when people who write columns in newspapers and magazines can cheat a little bit and write “what I’m thankful for” lists in November, and “year in review” recaps in December.
Yes, I’m doing the “what I’m thankful for in Downtown Tucson” column here. Just be thankful that I’m not offering thorns and flowers.
This last year has seen the following forward progress, for which we can be grateful:
A New Clarity of Vision
We have some Rio Nuevo brochures in our office that were printed on colorful, glossy, high-quality paper just a few years ago. We can’t hand them out to the public anymore because they show things that either aren’t happening or are happening in different locations from where they are indicated on the brochures’ maps. Or they fail to show things that we now fully expect to happen.
We can create new maps today, showing the 4-mile route of the Streetcar, where the museums will be situated on the West Side, and where an arena will go east of the freeway.
The difference from the maps of today and the leftovers from a few years back? Now the plans have been funded, partners have made commitments, design and engineering work is proceeding, and we have no reasonable expectation that certain core projects will be changed or eliminated.
Solidifying the planning for the West Side and the major elements of the Civic Plaza area, and the City Council’s decision to commit significant TIF funding, have been major accomplishments of the last year. When you hear that construction will be underway on many of these projects sometime in 2008, don’t laugh.
Physical progress has been made on projects that have been considered linchpins of further progress. At least we’ve gotten started on I-10 construction, and we’ve all gotten used to the ramifications, even if they are not pleasant or convenient. At least it’s finally real, and every day we deal with it is another day closer to the completion date.
After many years, many meetings, and many plans, the 4th Avenue underpass is under construction. As we all know by now, an improved connection will be part of the deal—a more inviting underpass for pedestrians, bikes, and cars. It also creates the linkage to complete the Streetcar route, and is one of the critical prerequisites for the Downtown Links roadway construction.
Making the best out of challenging circumstances
I’m thankful that the closure of Central Bistro did not result in a protracted period of finger-pointing and stagnation. Richard Oseran of the Hotel Congress and his business partner Ross Rulney chose to be proactive in turning a negative into a positive, and asked the City to approve their assumption of Central Bistro’s lease. I see it as the successful merger of private incentive and public interest.
The City was also proactive in addressing a situation they thought was festering—the Presidio Terrace project. In late September, Downtown Development (Rio Nuevo) Director Greg Shelko sent a letter to the developer, hoping to force some action. By the time you read this, the developer will either have satisfied the City by delivering credible evidence of progress in gaining financing, or the City will have decided to move on.
Progress on projects that have been a long time coming.
For years, people have asked “what is the deal?” with the Reilly Mortuary building. Shrouded in mystery befitting a mortuary sitting vacant for many years, Reilly has been the subject of rumors about who was living there, what was inside, and most importantly, when would it be available to put into service as a restaurant, a pub, entertainment venue, whatever.
This year, the building was auctioned off to Steve Fenton, with many other bidders in the mix. And yes, there were lots of caskets inside, along with lots of other stuff.
For years, people have asked, “what is the deal?” with the signs that were to have gone up directing motorists to parking and to their Downtown destinations. The deal is that they are now promised to go up by Christmas 2007, and some of them have gone up by press time. Banners that help to identify distinct Downtown districts have been up for most of a year, and the MTCVB has hoisted colorful banners that welcome major Tucson events.
For years, almost as many people who thought they had the perfect idea for what to do with the Reilly building lamented the fact that the old McLellans’ store was vacant. A new sushi restaurant is under contract and under construction, but the building is up for sale again, for $2.7 million for 27,000 square feet.
It’s been a few years since the City of Tucson initiated a project of replacing Martin Luther King Apartments with both better housing for the residents and more market-rate units to help stimulate Downtown development and create vibrancy. By November 1, the renovation of the apartments into 85 market-rate apartments and 11 affordable units will have officially begun. One North Fifth will be ready for occupancy by Summer 2008.
More services
The Tucson Police Department has steadily increased its presence in Downtown over the last several years. This year, we’ve seen more officers on foot and on bicycle in the Downtown Division. The division has grown, geographically, but also with staffing and resources. We expect this commitment of resources to be sustained and continue to grow in the years to come.
Lastly, I’m thankful to see new players, new energy and new partners for Downtown on the new Board of Directors of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
Donovan Durband
Executive Director,
Downtown Tucson Partnership
From The Editor