Navigating Rio Nuevo

By Karen Thoreson

sually when we think of Downtown we first imagine the buildings, streets, and other physical elements that define it as a unique landscape. While those are certainly major ingredients of any successful city center, it’s the people who live, work and play there who make it truly one-of-a-kind. They’re the ones who support important causes, nurture local businesses, patronize the arts and entertainment scenes, protect and restore historic properties – in other words, they invigorate Downtown and give it a distinct personality and charm.

Tucson’s Downtown owes its character to the many people who have lived and worked here for years, sometimes even for several generations. They’re the “heart” in the Heart of the City. To honor their dedication to this special place, Tucson’s Mayor Bob Walkup recently created the Mayor’s “Heart of Downtown Award,” which is presented quarterly to an individual, business or organization that has made exceptional contributions to Downtown.

Last month the award went to the Rollings family: Kelley and Sally, and their four children, Brad, Don, Betsy and Anne. Kelley Rollings was born in Downtown Tucson in 1927, in a building located just six blocks from his current office on Meyer Avenue. Thirty years ago, he began buying and restoring adobe buildings in Barrio Viejo - most dating from the 1860s - that were threatened by development or neglect. Today, the family owns more than 30 historic properties. Each was purchased and restored to its original appearance, in many cases using salvaged materials, to achieve the highest degree of authenticity. Thanks in large part to their passion for Downtown’s historic architecture, Tucson has more remaining 19th-century adobes than any other city in the United States.

What the Rollings have done for historic preservation, Mary Lou Focht has done for the Downtown arts scene. An artist by background, Focht worked in the pottery business for twenty years before opening Old Town Pot Shop at Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Avenue, in 1992. She and her husband purchased the entire business, a collection of eight distinctive shops and galleries, in 1995. In addition to being a Downtown business owner, Focht has served on the City of Tucson’s TEAM/ParkWise Commission since 1998, and last year was elected Chairperson of the Tucson Downtown Alliance’s Board of Directors. She received the “Heart of Downtown Award” last spring.

Albert M. Elias, owner of Old Pueblo Printers at 255 S. Stone Avenue, won the award last winter. Like Kelley Rollings he is a native Tucsonan who was raised Downtown - in the Armory Park neighborhood - where he still lives. Elias founded his full service print shop with a friend in 1966 and later became the sole proprietor.

Old Pueblo Printers has a long history of working with local trade unions, social service agencies and elected officials and is recognized by the Allied Printing Trades Council, a network of graphic arts and communications trades workers. This commitment to community involvement, customer service, family and history makes Elias and Old Pueblo Printers a unique part of the Downtown Tucson business scene.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Previous winners of the Mayor’s “Heart of Downtown Award” come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but what they have in common is a love for Downtown Tucson and a commitment to making it even better. They include ceramic artist David Aguirre; UA English professor Chris Carroll; Johnny Gibson, Downtown business entrepreneur; Carlotta Flores, Chief Operating Officer of El Charro Café; Herb Stratford, Executive Director of the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation; and Richard Oseran, owner of Hotel Congress.

There are countless people who have worked to enhance Downtown over the years, and as Río Nuevo helps transform it into the Heart of the City, there will undoubtedly be many more. When it comes to creating a healthy, lively Downtown, people are the most important part of the equation.

Karen Thoreson is a Downtown enthusiast and City of Tucson Assistant City Manager. Her primary responsibilities are the Río Nuevo project and Downtown. If you have questions about Río Nuevo or suggestions on topics for this column, please contact Ms. Thoreson at Karen.Thoreson@tucsonaz.gov.

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