Navigating Rio Nuevo
By Karen Thoreson
ío Nuevo is about preserving Downtown Tucson’s past and creating its future. It’s a big responsibility and a wonderful privilege we have - to honor the past and its memories while creating a new Downtown for future generations. Decades ago, most cities, including Tucson, marched straight ahead when it came to “progress” and gave little thought to what was lost along the way. Fortunately, times have changed. In Tucson we now realize that what makes our city exciting and attractive are the things that make it unique.
The story of Tucson’s history is told in its historic buildings, most of which are scattered throughout Downtown. Barbershops, theaters, saloons, dress shops – whatever the buildings once were – all tell colorful tales about early life in our town. Losing some of these structures would be losing a part of ourselves. That’s why historic preservation is one of Río Nuevo’s top priorities.
Every building in the Río Nuevo District is thoroughly studied before any plans are made to renovate, restore or remove it. Input from historic preservation professionals, and the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission and other groups is invaluable to this process. As historians and record-keepers, they provide the City with crucial information that is carefully considered when decisions about these buildings are made.
Some historic buildings, like the Fox Theatre, are worth every effort to restore and save because of their period architecture and intact, original structures. The Indian Village Trading Post is another great example of a historical building that’s being preserved as part of Río Nuevo. Its age and the role it played in Downtown’s history make it a gem that can’t ever be re-created.
The recent controversy about the fate of the Talk of the Town building reminds me of what I love so much about our city. Tucsonans are passionate about their heritage and the unique character of this place. Although we may not always agree about details, we all feel strongly that this is a place worth working for – past, present and future.
With that in mind, Río Nuevo will sponsor a Historic Preservation Initiative, led by the Tucson Downtown Alliance, that will complete an inventory of all historic Downtown structures. We want to note the obvious buildings, but also find ones that may be ‘hiding’ their history, obscured by cosmetic changes performed in the past. An inventory like this has not been performed since 1990.
We want to identify the buildings that either have historic or strong sentimental value – the ones people care about – and determine if any are included in future plans for redevelopment. Then all of us – citizens, planners, developers, historic preservationists, will know exactly what’s here – what are the most important examples of our Downtown architecture.
The planning for this Initiative will begin this month, and we hope to see it completed by next spring. There are a lot of people who have volunteered to assist with the effort, so many different views and interests will be represented. Volunteers will help us collect information about past uses and the community history of buildings in instances where that knowledge is not comprehensive. We’ll learn more about our Downtown and more about the past that has helped make us who we are.
The inventory will also be an educational process – the opportunity for building owners to better understand the process by which buildings are listed for protected status on the National Register of Historic Places and the criteria by which buildings are evaluated as to their historical significance. We’ll also share with owners the options that are open to them for obtaining and using historic tax credits for renovation and the process for getting their building on the National Register. We want to make certain the “Heart of the City” retains all the true history that makes it such a special place.
Karen Thoreson is a Downtown enthusiast and City of Tucson Assistant City Manager. Her primary responsibility is the Rio Nuevo Project and Downtown. If you have questions about Rio Nuevo or suggestions on topics for this column, please contact Ms. Thoreson at kthores1@ci.tucson.az.us.
