Navigating Rio Nuevo
By Karen Thoreson
owntowns have such great value to us in part because they are the cultural centers of our cities. Downtown’s shelter our museums, music and dance venues, historical sites, and other attractions. Just as important are the artist communities who stake out city centers as their preferred place to live and work. Sometimes they are informal enclaves of painters, sculptors and photographers who prefer the funky loft spaces and large, older buildings that make perfect private or communal studios. Galleries, museums, and arts advocates cluster around those who create the art, and, together, they play an integral role in creating and maintaining a thriving, “happening” Downtown.
Tucson is fortunate to have a vibrant artist community living and working in our Downtown, with the Warehouse District rapidly becoming the epicenter. Many of these artists and arts advocates are long-time downtown residents who were instrumental in creating the Warehouse District and encouraging its growth over the years. They helped save the buildings and played a significant role in helping the area earn status as a registered Historic District five years ago. Our arts community continues to be an active Downtown presence committed to the area’s growth and revitalization.
Thriving arts districts are primary Downtown attractions in other revitalized city centers—Minneapolis, Providence and Jersey City being just three good examples of many. The potential for Tucson to join this rank will be greatly enhanced by revitalizing the Warehouse District—renovating its historic buildings and encouraging public and private sector development there.
Revitalizing Downtown while preserving its distinct Tucson character is one of the guiding principles for Rio Nuevo. This same principle is being used to guide the master planning process for the Warehouse District.
All of us who have worked on the Warehouse District master plan feel strongly that it has great promise for the future. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Flam Chen are excellent examples. MOCA is a museum that, although small by some standards, has a swiftly growing reputation for original, thoughtful exhibitions, events, and programs. Art enthusiasts from all over the world visit MOCA—and it was recently named the number one destination in Tucson by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Flam Chen, Tucson’s pyrotechnic theater troupe, is also winning awards and rave reviews for fiery performances that blend dance, martial arts and circus acts. The troupe performed at the International Arts Festival in Macau, China last year and was featured on the front page of the local newspaper.
Consider the international success of these two members of our arts community and think of what a fully revitalized Warehouse District could mean to Downtown Tucson!
The Warehouse District master plan will serve as a guide to creating a sustainable future for the area and ensuring a permanent home for its resident artist community and the groups and organizations associated with it. While there are differing visions for exactly how the Warehouse District will evolve everyone agrees that, in its final form, it must be sustainable. This goal reflects the importance placed on our resident artists and their role in the rich fabric of our Downtown.
Artists reflect and help to form our cultural and social values, and therefore play a vital role in maintaining a healthy, thriving community. They should have a place where they can develop and exchange ideas, share them with the community, and continue to contribute to Downtown as the cultural center of Tucson. It’s exciting to be near completion of a plan to guide the future of this Downtown treasure. Revitalizing the Warehouse District is a crucial step in creating the Heart of the City.
Karen Thoreson is a Downtown enthusiast and City of Tucson Assistant City Manager. Her primary responsibilities are 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 Karen.Thoreson@tucsonaz.gov.
