Focus On 4th
Focus on Fourth compiled by Sands Spencer of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association.
New Year’s Resolutions
t is the time of year when we all look back at the past year’s gains (or losses) and make up our list of things we would like to get done in the next 12 months. The 2003 year has been one of many accomplishments for the 4th Avenue/Downtown area, but there are many projects left that need attention. Here are four projects to keep track of in 2004:
1) New Fourth Avenue Underpass. Completion of this project will help to join 4th Avenue and Downtown in a way more conducive to traffic flow, and in particular pedestrian traffic. The old underpass will remain but will be dedicated to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only, while the new underpass will include trolley tracks, which should increase the functionality of the trolley. The old underpass will be refurbished, get better lighting, be cleaned up, and in general made more attractive to the general populace, thus providing a viable, convenient pedestrian link between 4th Avenue and Downtown. Once started, this is a two year project so results are a ways down the road, but we need to make sure it gets started or we will never see the results!
2) Greyhound Bus Station relocation. Actually this has to happen before the new underpass project can start. This is a definite “Not In My Back Yard” project. No one wants to see the Greyhound Station in their neighborhood/business district, yet it has to go somewhere. In order to make the whole transportation thing work it seems like the bus station pretty much has to be within walking distance of both a major Sun Tran city bus hub and the train station. It also has to have easy on/off access to the freeway with an on/off route that doesn’t take the buses through residential streets.
3) Increase the Old Pueblo Trolley schedule. Two years from now, when the new underpass is done, the trolley will connect the Main Gate to Downtown through 4th Avenue. A few years after that, if all goes as planned, the trolley connection will extend through Downtown to the main Rio Nuevo development area. Now is the time to begin educating people on the good points of light rail “public” transportation, and to get everyone used to using the trolley to get around the inner city area. The learning curve will spread over several years, so rather than wait and begin it when everything is in place (thereby delaying the positive impact by a couple of years) we need to start now so that the completion of the project and the positive impact of that completion are nearly simultaneous.
4) Complete funding and staffing of TPD Division 5. We have to keep our house clean and safe or no one will want to visit! The new TPD Division 5 has had a major impact on unlawful activity in the Downtown/4th Avenue area, but there are still some holes in the schedule that are filled through Division 2…efficiency will increase when these holes are filled with Division 5 personnel.
These are just a few of the major goals for 2004, there are literally hundreds of other projects that are on-going and need the attention of concerned stake holders. Make this the year that your resolutions include getting involved with bettering Tucson! Contact the Tucson Downtown Alliance (547.3338) or the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association (624.5004) for upcoming meetings/events where your voice can be heard or your assistance is needed and have a happy, prosperous new year! 
