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Pennington Street Garage Opens, with Two-Way Traffic
The much-anticipated opening of the Pennington Street Garage on August 22 was accompanied by a change in the traffic pattern on Pennington between Scott and Sixth Avenues. The 746-space garage opened for business, with vehicular access to its Scott Avenue entrance coming from both directions of Pennington. Motorists will be able to easily access the new parking structure from northbound 6th Avenue by using Pennington, as the block between Scott and 6th now has one travel lane in each direction.
“One of the complaints about Downtown is being able to find parking, and since the garage is so prominent on Sixth Avenue, we thought that people would get very frustrated if they got to that corner and the sign said ‘do not enter,’” said Chris Leighton of ParkWise. “It should help with our access to other businesses in the area too.”
The main public entrance to the garage is on Scott Avenue, and the cost to park is $2 for the first two hours and $1 for each additional hour. The maximum charge is $5.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Staying Downtown
Despite rumors to the contrary, Big Brothers/Big Sisters is staying right where it is. For the past couple of years, the organization was considering a move. As CEO David Welsh explained, “There was a thought a couple years ago that the building was too big for us, and maybe we should move to a place that was a more appropriate size for our staff. We’ve since grown and realize that we have a real asset here being Downtown.”
Located at 160 E. Alameda St., Big Brothers/Big Sisters matches children with adult mentors, who can provide a positive role model for youth at risk. Currently, there are more than 525 active matches participating in the program, and Welsh hopes they will have 1,000 matches within three years.
“We are always looking for Big Brothers and Big Sisters,” said Welsh. “We have a waiting list of 390 kids that would like to have an adult in their life, and we have lots of opportunities to do that in various ways.”
To learn more about Big Brothers/Big Sisters log on to TucsonBigs.org or call (520) 624-2447.
Mayor Honors Rollings Family with Heart of Downtown Award
Without the Rollings family, many of Tucson’s historic adobe homes might not be standing today. For more than three decades, the family has been purchasing and restoring buildings that were threatened by development or neglect. In recognition of their commitment to preserving Tucson’s past, Mayor Bob Walkup presented the Heart of Downtown award to the family on August 4 at a ceremony at the family’s Cushing Street Bar. This is the first time that an entire family has received the Mayor’s award, which honors individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that provides exceptional contributions to the improvement of Downtown Tucson.
Kelley Rollings and his wife Sally purchased their first adobe building in 1971. Today, Kelley runs his restoration businesses with the help of his four children: Donald, Brad, Betsy, and Anne. Together, they have preserved more than 30 buildings, helping Tucson retain its unique heritage.
“In addition to its rich architectural history, Barrio Viejo boasts a wonderful human history,” said Donald Rollings upon receiving the award. “…We are thankful to have a relationship with this special district and hope for a future that unites the entire Downtown into an area that is truly recognized as the Heart of our city.”
 Corner Collapses on Marist College Building
Friends of St. Augustine is in a race against time to save the Marist College building, Cathedral Hall, and Our Lady Chapel. Last month, the corner of the Marist College building fell off during a rainstorm leaving a gaping hole on the top floor. It was a strong reminder that these adobe buildings are vulnerable to the elements and without restoration may soon be lost.
To stabilize the Marist College building, Friends of St. Augustine has shored up each floor from the basement to the roof on the damaged corner of the building. The group has also installed steel bracing on the exterior, which will allow the safe repair of the collapsed walls. Since the bricks that fell out disintegrated in the rain, new bricks can be made from the mud of the old bricks and used in the repair. Any additional bricks that may be needed will be made from a mixture similar to the original adobe, preserving the historical integrity of the building.
“What we need now is money,” said John Shaheen, property and insurance manager for the Roman Catholic Diocese. “We’re desperately seeking funding to stabilize the building.”
All three buildings are located on Ochoa Street and were built in the early 1900s. Marist College operated as a school from 1915 through the 1960s. In the 1970s it was converted too office space, but has been empty for more than a decade. Our Lady Chapel also has been closed for years, while Cathedral Hall is currently used for special events.
Friends of St. Augustine wanted to begin restoration efforts in the chapel; however, stabilizing the Marist College building is now a top priority. Long-term plans call for the Marist College building to become a museum representing the diverse cultural and religious beliefs of Tucson’s inhabitants. The basement of the building will hold the diocese’s extensive archive collection, which dates back to the late 1700s.
“This is a project not only for the church, but also for the city of Tucson,” said Rosie Garcia, president of Friends of St. Augustine. “It has a lot of historical significance for Tucson. It’s one of the oldest adobe structures in the Downtown area. When Tucson was the territorial capital, the legislature took place there.”
Donations for the repair and restoration of the St. Augustine buildings may be sent to 3557 N. Tin Star Place, Tucson, AZ 85745. For more information about Friends of St. Augustine, call Rosie Garcia at (520) 245-9564.
Club Congress Weekend
Labor Day Weekend is officially Club Congress Weekend in the State of Arizona. In July, Governor Janet Napolitano issued a proclamation designating September 2, 3, and 4 as Club Congress Weekend to recognize the club’s contribution to cultural and economic development. The weekend coincides with Club Congress’ 20th anniversary celebration.
Bridge to Connect Downtown and East Side
The City is nearing construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will link the east side of Tucson to Downtown. The “Basket Bridge”, as it is being called, will span Euclid about a half-mile south of the Diamondback Bridge.
On August 20, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) approved the environmental review for the project. The City is currently in the process of finalizing the utility and right-of-way clearance to submit to ADOT. Funding for the project will be released once ADOT has accepted the final plans. Construction is expected to begin early in 2006.
Rosemary Lonewolf created the decorative motif for the bridge based on traditional Tohono O’odham designs. Lonewolf is an artist from the Santa Clara pueblo in New Mexico who is well known for blending traditional Native American pottery techniques with contemporary design. Some of her work is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution and she has been a guest on National Public Radio’s Studio 360.
“The structure itself was chosen because it has a basket appearance as well, so even at night it will silhouette a basket pattern,” explained Craig Saltzman, project manager. In keeping with the theme, landscaping around the bridge will include indigenous plants used in basket weaving, including devil’s claw, bear claw, and yucca.
Food Bank Opens Farmers Market
The Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market celebrated its grand opening on August 18. It was a bustling scene with children performing mariachi songs, clowns and face painters entertaining the little ones, and customers busily sorting through ripe melons and fresh corn.
The market is operated by the Community Food Bank and is the result of several years of planning and hard work. In 1999, the organization began growing fruits and vegetables on a small farm with the goal of raising enough to sell. They were successful, but realized that they couldn’t raise enough produce to last a full day at a farmers market. They began looking for farmers who could contribute to the project and by 2004 had several on board. That’s when they approached the city and neighborhood organizations to find a location for a weekly market.
“The two neighborhood associations that were the strongest were Hollywood and Menlo Park—they really were very much behind us,” said Joy Tucker, interim executive director of the Community Food Bank. “We started meeting with them and with parks and rec. people to get city support, and now almost a year later we have our farmers market.”
Through November 10, the market will be open from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. every Thursday in the Santa Cruz River Park parking lot at North Riverside Avenue and West Ontario Street. In addition to produce vendors, the market has people selling potted plants, herbal products, dried beans, and coffee. Several non-profit organizations are participating as well, offering health-related services to the public.
The Community Food Bank would like to add more vendors as time goes on. Anyone interested in learning more about the market should contact the food bank at (520) 622-0525.
Presidio Heritage Park
The City of Tucson has selected a team to design and build the Presidio Heritage Park, one of the signature projects of Rio Nuevo. The team is led by Means Design and Building Corp. and also includes architect Richard Fe Tom and Desert Archaeology.
Means Design’s principal, Eric Means, recently completed an adobe restoration project at a series of buildings on Court Avenue, on the west side of the Presidio Heritage Park site. Negotiations with the team are ongoing but had not been completed by press time.
Located at the southwest corner of Church Avenue and Washington Street, the new park will bring Tucson’s history to life with reconstructed buildings and interpretive markers that explain the Presidio era.
Established in 1775 by Captain Hugo O’Conor, El Presidio del Tucson was a small fort that served as Spain’s outpost in the New World. At its height, the Presidio occupied an area that is now bordered by Washington Street on the north, Church Avenue on the east, Pennington Street on the south, and Main Avenue on the west. Tall walls surrounded the entire area to protect Spanish settlers from Apache raids.
Presidio Heritage Park will be located at the original Presidio’s northeast corner, and will feature replications of several buildings that were part of the Presidio. There will be a 20-foot tower, a guardhouse, and the adobe “triplex” facing Court Avenue. The City intends to make the buildings as historically accurate as possible while adhering to modern building codes. Once complete, Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation will present living history exhibits in the park to help visitors understand what life in Tucson was like more than 200 years ago.
Dunbar Spring Approves Project at One West Speedway
On August 15, the Dunbar Spring Neighborhood Association gave conditional approval for a new mixed-use development at the corner of Stone Avenue and Speedway Boulevard. Called “One West” based on its address, the proposed development will include approximately 10,000 square feet of retail space, 15,000 square feet of offices and 105 condominiums.
“The developers have been presenting their plans on an ongoing basis and working with the neighborhood, responding to concerns that have been raised,” said Jim Cook, president of the Dunbar Spring Neighborhood Association. “It has been an ongoing process with a lot of communication between the developers and the neighborhood.”
Stone Corridor Partners, LLC, is the development group for One West. The group is made up of David Ollanik of Ollanik Construction Co.; Gary Weiss, a broker at Tompkins Realty; and Colin Reilly and Rob Reilly, owners of Harvest Homes Inc.
Since granting conditional approval, the neighborhood association has been working with residents to compile a list of requirements for the project. The list will be finalized during the September 6 neighborhood association meeting.
State Bar Honors Local Attorney
The Arizona State Bar named Scott H. Gan Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. Gan is a shareholder in the Downtown Tucson law firm of Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C., and this award recognizes his efforts to provide legal services to people who otherwise could not afford them. Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C. focuses on civil litigation, personal injury, business reorganization, corporate and business law, employment law, estate planning, construction and surety law, real estate law, and securities and insurance fraud.
Targeting Downtown Projects
The City of Tucson is soliciting proposals from downtown businesses, non-profits and neighborhoods for projects designed to improve the downtown area. You are invited to review the grant criteria by viewing the application at http://www.tucsonaz.gov/b2b06.html . Applications are also available at City Hall, Mayor’s office, 255 W Alameda, 10th floor. Pre-submittal conference: Thur Sept 8, 5:30 PM Rio Nuevo Office, 52 W Congress Deadline for submission: Fri, Sept 30 5:00 PM. Contact Sio Castillo at 791-4201 for additional info.
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