Navigating Rio Nuevo
By Karen Thoreson
t’s happening here first. Downtown’s far East End is about to become a center of construction and revitalization with a number of projects being completed, beginning, or kicking into high gear within the next six months.
Since it’s one of the oldest parts of Downtown and traditionally a center of bustling activity, it’s appropriate that the area around Toole Avenue and Congress Street be one of the first places we see the Rio Nuevo concept taking shape.
Grand Opening at the Historic Depot
It all starts later this month when one of our Downtown centerpieces comes back to life. The Historic Train Depot on Toole, originally opened in 1907, will have its grand opening, marking 124 years to the day that the first train arrived in Tucson. Beautifully restored to its 1941 appearance, primarily with grants from the federal government, the Historic Depot is an anchor for the East End and the first of the major Downtown revitalization projects to be completed. A transportation museum, a restaurant, offices and shops will soon fill the Depot and its out-buildings, giving residents and visitors alike even more reasons to visit the East End.
Please don’t miss the Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, March 20 (10:00am), when we dedicate the completed Depot and say thank you to the many elected officials, city staff and private citizens who have worked so hard to create this wonderful Downtown icon. Contact the Rio Nuevo office at 791-5580 for details of the event.
Greyhound and a New 4th Avenue
The next step in revitalizing this portion of Downtown is moving the Greyhound Bus Depot out of its location at Toole and Congress to another appropriate site. When that’s accomplished in the next few months, work can begin on a new alignment for 4th Avenue along with a new underpass that will bring the East End and the 4th Avenue retail area closer together. The existing, and historic, 4th Avenue underpass will be reconditioned for pedestrian use.
A Place to Park
It might be difficult to get excited right now about the big hole in the ground at Scott Avenue and Pennington Street, but it’s here that some of the parking that will be needed for the new East End will be located. The former City Hall Annex has been demolished and groundbreaking for the new Pennington Street Garage should be taking place soon. There will be 570 parking spaces here, plus retail and office space on the ground floor. It’s an innovative design that fits in well with the surrounding area. This project is a public-private partnership between the City and The Colton Company and represents a unique approach to construction and operation. All that, combined with the current need for parking in this area of Downtown, makes the forthcoming Pennington Street Garage something to be excited about.
The Future is Bright in the East
The revitalization of the Rialto Block on Congress Street is also in the planning stages and will include renovation work of the apartments above the Theatre facade as well as the adjacent buildings. It won’t be long before this East End gateway to Downtown, already well known for its entertainment venues and historic character, will be even more exciting, attractive, and accessible.
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.
