Tucson Development Thread

[ProfessorMole]

While on the opening subject, has anyone heard or been in contact with a person who got their move-in info from Level on July 8th? I'm curious what move-in date they were given.

Found the answer this morning. Leasing agent was kind enough to let me know move-in is Aug 20th-23rd (Tuesday thru Friday). Going to be an interesting scene around that block that week with construction, move-ins, and everything else. :runaway:

[Ted Lyons]

The CVS at Main Gate is expected to open no later than August 30th and will be a little different than normal.

Daily Wildcat Article (www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2013/07/new-cvs-pharmacy-open-fall-semester-071713)

While on the opening subject, has anyone heard or been in contact with a person who got their move-in info from Level on July 8th? I'm curious what move-in date they were given.

Signage has been going up the past few days.

[Thirsty]

Anything not near downtown is a waste of money. In fact, building a whole new baseball stadium sounds like a waste of money to me.

A ballpark could be squeezed into downtown, and that works for AAA; but luring a team for Spring Training means a stadium plus adjacent facilities with several practice fields.


The truth is, the REGION hopes to lure Triple A, not just the City. On the surface, I could care less about baseball spring training and Triple A. BUT, if the Sports and Tourism Authority do it right and put the facilities at a prime location (NOT Ajo Way or far far away from civilization or services) then it could be worth a shot. Somewhere along I-10 between Prince and Twin Peaks Road is where I would study. The major issue are the dookie plants that wreak a smelly havoc on the area. The benefits are there are hotels and restaurants off of Grant, Ina, and Cortaro Farms; there's a perception and reality that its closer to Phx; and the Tucson metro fans will warm up to that side of town way more than the dreary Ajo location.

I think the key to getting the Cactus League (and all it's $$$$) back is luring teams to come down I-10 to Ahwatukee, Casa Grande (stop laughing) and Marana. Club owners don't care what if anything the surrounding area has to offer fans, they just care about government handouts and sparkling new stadiums.

The 80 minute trip to Tucson was no big deal until all the exurbs in the west valley started building stadiums. Now teams are halfway to Wickenburg, and the trip to Tucson just about doubled.

Heck, maybe if the O'odhams lose their battle over the Glendale land, they can build a destination resort with shopping etc. along I-10 with a ballpark. Imagine watching a ballgame with Picacho Peak pushing up through a sea of Gold Poppies as the backdrop. :tup:

[Ted Lyons]

A ballpark could be squeezed into downtown, and that works for AAA; but luring a team for Spring Training means a stadium plus adjacent facilities with several practice fields.

We have that, and I'm sure a similar justification was used to push the Kino location.

I think the key to getting the Cactus League (and all it's $$$$) back is luring teams to come down I-10 to Ahwatukee, Casa Grande (stop laughing) and Marana. Club owners don't care what if anything the surrounding area has to offer fans, they just care about government handouts and sparkling new stadiums.

I think the problem is that there are enough municipalities around Phoenix still willing to play this game that no team will ever need to leave that area. Even if they did, we'd end up with a situation like we've had already where a team will come down for a few years and move out the second a Valley city gets the urge to build a new facility.

[sh9730]

Plus when the Dbacks moved from Tucson - Casa Grande was on the short list to try and get them here - but when the item was put to the electorate it was CRUSHED in defeat - people didn't want to offer a dime here for a stadium.

Granted this was in 2009 and the economic mood was hardly ideal, and with the PhoenixMart project coming in, as well as the Nick Faldo golf academy starting up at the Fransisco Grande (old SF Giants training facility back in 50s for those that didn't know), the city - MAY - and its a big may - be more open to the idea should another opportunity present itself.

[Thirsty]

Plus when the Dbacks moved from Tucson - Casa Grande was on the short list to try and get them here - but when the item was put to the electorate it was CRUSHED in defeat - people didn't want to offer a dime here for a stadium.

Granted this was in 2009 and the economic mood was hardly ideal, and with the PhoenixMart project coming in, as well as the Nick Faldo golf academy starting up at the Fransisco Grande (old SF Giants training facility back in 50s for those that didn't know), the city - MAY - and its a big may - be more open to the idea should another opportunity present itself.

I always thought there was an old hotel with a baseball connection in CG, but this must have been what I was thinking of.

[Thirsty]

We have that, and I'm sure a similar justification was used to push the Kino location.



I think the problem is that there are enough municipalities around Phoenix still willing to play this game that no team will ever need to leave that area. Even if they did, we'd end up with a situation like we've had already where a team will come down for a few years and move out the second a Valley city gets the urge to build a new facility.

I think we agree. We've got the facilities so it is hard to justify new ones. Location matters mostly for AAA. Cactus League Tourists don't care if locals don't like Ajo Way. They've rented cars and it is all the same to them.

I love baseball, and I've "built" a few AAA ballparks downtown in my head over the years, but I don't think the draw of a summer-time spectator sport is worth all the dead-space it would create downtown.

As for any ballpark built away from downtown being a waste, I disagree. Hi Corbett has always been a draw on the East side even if it is only a few miles from downtown.

The draw back is Tucson has always tried half-hearted upgrades to preserve the history of something that really isn't historic. It is old, and was in 10 minutes of a movie. The Baseball Gods are too busy smiting New York for razing Yankee Stadium, they won't notice if we rebuild Hi Corbett.

[Ted Lyons]

As for any ballpark built away from downtown being a waste, I disagree. Hi Corbett has always been a draw on the East side even if it is only a few miles from downtown.

Although Hi Corbett isn't downtown, I wouldn't say it's a significant distance from downtown, either. I definitely wouldn't label it as part of the east side. I'm not trying to nitpick, I just don't think you can compare Hi Corbett with suburban and rural stadium locations.

[Ted Lyons]

UA enviro building project underway after a long wait
$75M EDIFICE, SLIMMED DOWN FROM $90M, WILL HOUSE FACILITIES FOR ARRAY OF RESEARCHERS

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/college/ua-enviro-building-project-underway-after-a-long-wait/article_0a13009b-2575-5709-bd95-04c5e69bf79d.html

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/azstarnet.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/e7/9e7692b5-2777-51f5-a6a8-af27faae1733/51ea0f740ecd0.preview-620.jpg

Bulldozers are clearing a parking lot on East Sixth Street to prepare for the long-awaited construction of a new home for the environmental sciences at the University of Arizona - a resource-efficient building designed to resemble a slot canyon.

The $75 million building - whose project name is Environment and Natural Resources Phase 2 - will sit between a parking garage and the previously built Dennis DeConcini Environment and Natural Resources Building.

It's been nice to see this get going.

[ComplotDesigner]

The HUB, Level & Park. Sorry about the window reflection. 07/20/13

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/517/8x03.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7834/3dho.jpg

[ProfessorMole]

Pima County is holding a public meeting to talk about the Southern Arizona Raceway, but they have made it clear it will not be an F1 track. They will be going for the next tier down that could accommodate "Indy-type cars, sports cars, motorcycles, and NASCAR." The bid package specifically states it will be at least a 3 mile track.

Pima County Meeting Notice (http://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=41622)

[andrewsaturn]

The city has a survey asking what kinds of bond projects you think are most important for the future.

Here is the link: good until Aug.2nd 2013

www.azstarnet.com/pimasurvey

One of the projects I liked the most seeing on there was the zoo expansion for the hippo exhibit. I also checked an expansion for the sonoran desert museum because it is a major attractin here in which visitors from out of town love , so I would like to see more investment in that. There are like five different categories like public health and parks and recreations. Some categories there are lots to choose from but the bond projects can be specific to a neighborhood in which I guess you can choose to help support votes for.

[Ritarancher]

So I've been researching on the 1023 N Tyndall lot and bid and what I've found so far is that bids ended on July 25th. I didn't find much on any investors or people wanting to buy the land and place a skyscraper, or for a Tucson definition.

http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/realestate/sale-city-owned-property

http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/daily_territorial/bid_notices/bid-notices/article_90a2394c-ef32-11e2-90fb-001a4bcf887a.html

http://166.89.67.100/Images/RealEstate/PDF/TyndallRFP.pdf


EDIT: I also like how the U of A goes all out on their buildings, the fact that they will pay nearly $100 million for some things that could be done for a lot less. They make quality stuff.

[ProfessorMole]

Park Ave is finally showing some growth above ground. Didn't get a picture, but they were digging up a strip of asphalt about 3-4 feet wide going East on the North side of University Ave outside the CVS. Utility update maybe?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BQXyZP6CQAAEuCR.jpg:large

[Ted Lyons]

Didn't get a picture, but they were digging up a strip of asphalt about 3-4 feet wide going East on the North side of University Ave outside the CVS. Utility update maybe?

I saw that too. Looked like the trucks were there to cover up the work today, so it must not have been a significant project. Guess we'll see tomorrow.

[southtucsonboy77]

Grand Canyon U bypasses Tucson for new campus (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/grand-canyon-u-bypasses-tucson-for-new-campus/article_4714c3fe-5979-5b2d-b5d9-d19657eeaf89.html)

Great job NIMBYs...I hope the, uh hum, "leaders" on the westside continue to enjoy the poverty and crime that infests throughout their neighborhood and throughout the City of Tucson. Yeah, they made a statement alright...a statement that is tiring, over-used, and just plain pathetic now. Again, perhaps El Rio wasn't the best location, but it's the way the NIMBYs respond and react to it. It DOESN'T help the negotiations or relationship. Barrio Sobaco (Armpit) indeed.

[andrewsaturn]

Grand Canyon U bypasses Tucson for new campus (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/grand-canyon-u-bypasses-tucson-for-new-campus/article_4714c3fe-5979-5b2d-b5d9-d19657eeaf89.html)

Great job NIMBYs...I hope the, uh hum, "leaders" on the westside continue to enjoy the poverty and crime that infests throughout their neighborhood and throughout the City of Tucson. Yeah, they made a statement alright...a statement that is tiring, over-used, and just plain pathetic now. Again, perhaps El Rio wasn't the best location, but it's the way the NIMBYs respond and react to it. It DOESN'T help the negotiations or relationship. Barrio Sobaco (Armpit) indeed.

Yes it is disappointing seeing the opportunity of GCUs economic impact be pushed back several years in Tucson and even then I think we might competing with alburquerque (according to KOLD) for a campus. The city leaders couldn't wow them enough with proposals and should never have considered el Rio w/o the neighborhoods input first otherwise the situation wouldn't have left a sour taste in GCUs mouth if you will. However, I do think el Rio would have been a great location. According to news sources, SE Phoenix has always been the front runner so it isn't a surprise..

[Ritarancher]

Yes it is disappointing seeing the opportunity of GCUs economic impact be pushed back several years in Tucson and even then I think we might competing with alburquerque (according to KOLD) for a campus. The city leaders couldn't wow them enough with proposals and should never have considered el Rio w/o the neighborhoods input first otherwise the situation wouldn't have left a sour taste in GCUs mouth if you will. However, I do think el Rio would have been a great location. According to news sources, SE Phoenix has always been the front runner so it isn't a surprise..

I saw this in the comments on the daily star article. Tucsonand are CAVEs citizens against virtually everything. The worst part is that el rio's defense was something that we should have ignored because it was so dumb. They wanted more green, from a dying golf course. I went to their Facebook page and they've got some stupid El Rio belongs to the people slogan. No it doesn't it belongs tithe city that doesn't have money to pay for it. You know who pays the city, us the taxpayers, and when the city uses it irresponsibly we sit here and think. Who the hell are we putting in charge?

[DSGNR7]

I saw this in the comments on the daily star article. Tucsonand are CAVEs citizens against virtually everything. The worst part is that el rio's defense was something that we should have ignored because it was so dumb. They wanted more green, from a dying golf course. I went to their Facebook page and they've got some stupid El Rio belongs to the people slogan. No it doesn't it belongs tithe city that doesn't have money to pay for it. You know who pays the city, us the taxpayers, and when the city uses it irresponsibly we sit here and think. Who the hell are we putting in charge?

Well said. I've haven't allowed myself to lose sleep over this issue because I knew this is how it was going to end. From the beginning it was pretty evident the City was going to blow this great opportunity.

[gkgray]

Well said. I've haven't allowed myself to lose sleep over this issue because I knew this is how it was going to end. From the beginning it was pretty evident the City was going to blow this great opportunity.
It was going to be an uphill battle competing with the Phoenix communities even with the El Rio site. GCU wanted to locate in PHX, but was simply performing their own due diligence in case Tucson might put forth a "godfather" offer too good to refuse.

The priority of the CoT should be getting the UofA into new buildings downtown. ASU's dtown campus has had a transformative impact on dtown PHX.

[gkgray]

I think the problem is that there are enough municipalities around Phoenix still willing to play this game that no team will ever need to leave that area. Even if they did, we'd end up with a situation like we've had already where a team will come down for a few years and move out the second a Valley city gets the urge to build a new facility.
Actually, the Sports/Tourism revenue source in Maricopa County is completely tapped out. Revenues didn't meet projections and it has left a handful of the municipalities in a vulnerable situation. The Cubs' Mesa facility will be the final publicly funded facility for a while. Couple that with what Glendale has endured with the Coyotes, and it will not be a municipality shelling out the $$ to lure additional spring training teams; it will be the casinos.

Cardinals/Twins are a very likely pair to relocate to Wild Horse Pass south of Ahwatukee.

Tucson needed to follow TEP with an additional downtown ballpark on the TCC site, achieve the critical mass of at least 6 teams training in close proximity to each other.

[Patrick S]

Actually, the Sports/Tourism revenue source in Maricopa County is completely tapped out. Revenues didn't meet projections and it has left a handful of the municipalities in a vulnerable situation. The Cubs' Mesa facility will be the final publicly funded facility for a while. Couple that with what Glendale has endured with the Coyotes, and it will not be a municipality shelling out the $$ to lure additional spring training teams; it will be the casinos.

Cardinals/Twins are a very likely pair to relocate to Wild Horse Pass south of Ahwatukee.

Tucson needed to follow TEP with an additional downtown ballpark on the TCC site, achieve the critical mass of at least 6 teams training in close proximity to each other.
Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me that the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to relocate their Spring Training facilities to the Phoenix metro area? As a fan of the Cardinals since I was a 9 year-old in 1987 I would love that.

[gkgray]

Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me that the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to relocate their Spring Training facilities to the Phoenix metro area? As a fan of the Cardinals since I was a 9 year-old in 1987 I would love that.
Those are the 2 clubs that Derrick Hall mentioned as most viable targets.

[Patrick S]

Those are the 2 clubs that Derrick Hall mentioned as most viable targets.
Do you have a link to this by chance? I can't find any mention of this anywhere. All I find are mentions of the Cardinals leaving the east coast of Florida for the Orlando area or the West Coast of Florida.

[gkgray]

Do you have a link to this by chance? I can't find any mention of this anywhere. All I find are mentions of the Cardinals leaving the east coast of Florida for the Orlando area or the West Coast of Florida.
I can't find a link, but it was during an interview with the local tv news this past spring when DHall was asked about Cactus League expansion. He specifically mentioned those two clubs as being most likely to succeed here given the strong support they have at home and the transplants in the valley.

As for the potential site, that's purely speculation. I just think it makes sense for the Wild Horse pass Casino to pursue an arrangement like that. They have great access at the I-10/202 intersection and are aggressively developing the casino site.

Cactus League expansion would be great, especially if privately funded. In regards to economic impact, spring training is the equivalent to hosting a super bowl every single year.

[Schaeffa]

In case anyone wants a tour of the Herbert (at Armory Park), their giving a special hard hat tour (and a beer!) to Facebook fans on August 15. Looks like they'll be ready for move-ins in September.

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d24d319eefbc62c2858ff6a5f&id=63ad22db64

[ProfessorMole]

Shot from the backside of the CVS as I was running an errand. Hoping to get better photos of the window pictures once the fences are down.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRK4U9SCIAEyqvo.jpg:large

[Thirsty]

In case anyone wants a tour of the Herbert (at Armory Park), their giving a special hard hat tour (and a beer!) to Facebook fans on August 15. Looks like they'll be ready for move-ins in September.

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d24d319eefbc62c2858ff6a5f&id=63ad22db64

I didn't think anything could hide the ugly bones of that building. From the picture in that link, The Herbert looks better than I had expected.

[ProfessorMole]

Can really hear the crickets on here lately.

Below is an article about the funding for One North Fifth from the last half of July.

AZRE Magazine (http://azremagazine.com/economic-development/north-fifths-financing-promotes-urban-living-downtown-tucson)

Also, scouring through the plans for the student apartments on the Tucson Permit website, each will have roughly 90 spots. Fairly low given the population that will be coming into the space on that block without a grocery store in walking/streetcar distance yet.

[Thirsty]

Can really hear the crickets on here lately.

Below is an article about the funding for One North Fifth from the last half of July.

AZRE Magazine (http://azremagazine.com/economic-development/north-fifths-financing-promotes-urban-living-downtown-tucson)

Also, scouring through the plans for the student apartments on the Tucson Permit website, each will have roughly 90 spots. Fairly low given the population that will be coming into the space on that block without a grocery store in walking/streetcar distance yet.

CVS sells ramen, so grocery problem solved :tup:

I could be mistaken, but I believe part of the public/private partnership would be UA directing students to those apartments through Res. Life, just as if it were an UA dorm.

To me that sounds like a lot of underclassmen, most of them don't bring a car to campus.

[Ted Lyons]

CVS sells ramen, so grocery problem solved :tup:

I could be mistaken, but I believe part of the public/private partnership would be UA directing students to those apartments through Res. Life, just as if it were an UA dorm.

To me that sounds like a lot of underclassmen, most of them don't bring a car to campus.

A lot of underclassmen do bring cars but I believe UA has been choosing projects with which to partner based partially on their emphasis of public transportation.

There hasn't been a lot of news lately but Saint House is opening Thursday downtown, FORS has their banner up in the Pizzeria Bianco space, and Which Wich went out of business on University.

[Qwijib0]

A lot of underclassmen do bring cars but I believe UA has been choosing projects with which to partner based partially on their emphasis of public transportation.

There hasn't been a lot of news lately but Saint House is opening Thursday downtown, FORS has their banner up in the Pizzeria Bianco space, and Which Wich went out of business on University.

Which Wich was was terrible and I can't wait for _any_ other option to replace it.

[Ted Lyons]

Which Wich was was terrible and I can't wait for _any_ other option to replace it.

I never thought it was that bad but there were probably a few too many sandwich places in the area for it to compete. I'm sure their lease was a lot higher than Silver Mine or Jimmy John's.

[Mattic505]

From Tucson News Now (http://tucsonnewsnow.com)

New building is the 'highest-priced student housing in Tucson'

Posted: Aug 13, 2013 7:26 PM
Updated: Aug 13, 2013 7:37 PM
By Barbara Grijalva - bio | email

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
When students return to The University of Arizona in less than two weeks, more of them than ever will be staying in off-campus student housing, but with a difference.

Watch Video Here (http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/23130046/new-building-is-the-highest-priced-student-housing-in-tucson?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass)

[farmerk]

Pardon me , if this has been posted before...

Proposed downtown hotel.

http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/acmarriotmadrid.jpg

Article 7/16 (http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/?p=1280) . Was worried what this building would look like since it's from a local developer .... I can live with this.

[ProfessorMole]

http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/acmarriotmadrid.jpg

Was worried what this building would look like since it's from a local developer .... I can live with this.


That's assuming the local developer uses the same styling as this specific one from Spain.

Perusing through a few of the 51 they have in Spain, they are all pretty different.

[Ted Lyons]

That's assuming the local developer uses the same styling as this specific one from Spain.

Perusing through a few of the 51 they have in Spain, they are all pretty different.

And we've already been told it will be a regionally appropriate design.

[bleunick]

has anybody ever been able to get the webcam from campus acquisition's website to work? I seem to remember people posting screenshots of it a few months ago, but every time i try to click on the link it asks for a login and password...

http://www.campusacquisitions.com/ca/under-construction/university-arizona/index.php

[Ted Lyons]

has anybody ever been able to get the webcam from campus acquisition's website to work? I seem to remember people posting screenshots of it a few months ago, but every time i try to click on the link it asks for a login and password...

http://www.campusacquisitions.com/ca/under-construction/university-arizona/index.php

Haven't checked it in a long time because I work right next to the project but it didn't use to show that screen. That's a new issue.

[Patrick S]

has anybody ever been able to get the webcam from campus acquisition's website to work? I seem to remember people posting screenshots of it a few months ago, but every time i try to click on the link it asks for a login and password...

http://www.campusacquisitions.com/ca/under-construction/university-arizona/index.php

Use this web address: http://www.uebbuilders.com/webcams/tyndall2.html

[Ted Lyons]

New artisan pizza shop to open on Tucson's east side

http://azstarnet.com/entertainment/dining/bars-and-clubs-other/new-artisan-pizza-shop-to-open-on-tucson-s-east/article_23ae7199-9d12-5c00-b39c-091d22e4405e.html

Aaron May is about to expand his restaurant empire in Tucson with a pizzeria set to open in September.

The Heist artisan pizza shop will take up residence in the space that housed My Big Fat Greek Restaurant until early May.

. . .

But May isn’t finished yet; he plans to open two more restaurants here in the next year.

“I’ll have five places in Tucson in the next 12 months. I’m looking for a new house down there and I’m planning on spending a lot of time there,” said May, who attended the University of Arizona before going to culinary school and opening his first restaurant in Scottsdale 10 years ago.

“I have an affinity for Tucson that far surpasses my affinity for the Phoenix/Scottsdale area,” he said. “I want to be down there.”

. . .

May said he is close to signing two leases, one of them for Tucson’s first outpost of his popular Over Easy breakfast restaurant. The other lease will house a new concept that May said he is not yet ready to discuss.

I'm most interested in the discussion of the two yet-to-open restaurants. I think Over Easy would do great downtown or near UA but I'm not holding my breath that he'll choose either location. His business plan in Tucson seems to be developing concepts in neighborhoods with low restaurant saturation.

[bleunick]

Use this web address: http://www.uebbuilders.com/webcams/tyndall2.html

Thanks!

[Ted Lyons]

Yesterday, the Star ran a short article about Monkey Burger closing downtown. The gist seemed to be that closing was purely a business decision. Today, though, they ran the story below:

Downtown’s Monkey Burger shuts doors as building is sold

http://azstarnet.com/business/local/downtown-s-monkey-burger-shuts-doors-as-building-is-sold/article_ced88140-4a4a-5ca1-9d8a-cef0a6848ee5.html

Monkey Burger, the gourmet hamburger restaurant that was at the forefront of Tucson’s most recent burger infatuation, closed its downtown location last weekend after its landlord sold the building at 47 N. Sixth Ave.

Fletcher McCusker, who owns Monkey Burger with several partners, said the new owners plan to completely renovate the 100-year-old-plus former hotel.

. . .

Chas Karakey, general manager of the Broadway Monkey Burger, said the downtown restaurant had been struggling over the past several months.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing that downtown closed,” he said Monday.

But McCusker said that with The Cadence student housing project opening this month,” I think we would have hung in there.”

So, business may have closed it eventually, but the sale and pending renovation of The Arizona was the real cause. That building has a lot of potential, so this is pretty great news, IMO. On another note, I didn't know McCusker partially owned Monkey Burger.

[nickw252]

Downtown Tucson may be embarking on a new economic boom. For the past five years, downtown has been experiencing a type of economic renaissance unlike anything before, according to Michael Keith, CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, and it may just be the beginning.

With the economic uptick downtown, Tucson may be taking its place among other midsize cities to include Salt Lake City and Portland, but it may also become a contender with bigger cities such as Seattle and Denver.

Five areas of economic development

1. Public investment of $600M has resulted in private investors plunking down $250M into the downtown area.

2. Timing was right for Tucson. Keith said the majority of investment in the area has been from people that were either from Tucson or somewhere within the state.

3. Downtown’s proximity to the University of Arizona was key, especially since UA is landlocked and needed a place to expand.

4. Young, tech-savvy individuals wanting to start their own businesses are “flocking” to downtown, where other like-minded tech people are.

5. Baby boomers returning to urban centers are looking for community, culture, convenience and acceptable transportation alternatives.

What’s next for Tucson downtown?

“From here on out we are going to see projects from $20M to $500M,” Keith predicted, adding that, “We … have done everything we can locally and the next phase will be regional or out-of-state developers.”

Recently it was announced that AC Hotels by Marriott may be coming to downtown, with construction possibly beginning in the spring of 2014. The $27M hotel, which is being developed by Scott Stiteler, would be located near the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

There are 63 lots to be developed [downtown], which account for 4M square feet of land, Keith said. If all of the lots are built multi-story, that could be 16MSF of real estate.

At $150 a square foot, if everything is built to capacity, Keith estimates that could bring in a total of $2.44B for the entire development over the [downtown] project’s lifespan.

http://azbex.com/tucsons-downtown-renaissance-could-be-worth-2-4b/#

[phxSUNSfan]

With the economic uptick downtown, Tucson may be taking its place among other midsize cities to include Salt Lake City and Portland, but it may also become a contender with bigger cities such as Seattle and Denver

Great news, the only thing I think is absolutely ridiculous is to mention Seattle and Denver in the conversation. For one, very few cities can contend with Seattle. Combining the economic development of both downtown Phoenix and Tucson would still not compare to Seattle. Downtown Seattle alone has more highrises than Tucson will ever have and more than 200,000 people (not counting the new massive Amazon HQ under construction) work in 3 square miles in downtown Seattle; nearly half the population of the city of Tucson. Seattle is also 3 times as dense as Tucson.

The article's author got a little ahead of herself on that point. Other than that, good to see both Arizona cities continue to develop downtown. Now, can we get rail to connect both city centers?

[Ted Lyons]

Great news, the only thing I think is absolutely ridiculous is to mention Seattle and Denver in the conversation. For one, very few cities can contend with Seattle. Combining the economic development of both downtown Phoenix and Tucson would still not compare to Seattle. Downtown Seattle alone has more highrises than Tucson will ever have and more than 200,000 people (not counting the new massive Amazon HQ under construction) work in 3 square miles in downtown Seattle; nearly half the population of the city of Tucson. Seattle is also 3 times as dense as Tucson.

I think that article got a little ahead of itself on that point. Other than that, good to see both Arizona cities continue to develop downtown. Now, can we get rail to connect both city centers?

That was an odd line. I think the intent may have been to compare the potential for $2.4 billion to current investment in Seattle and Denver. I can't speak for Denver but, as you mention, even that amount probably doesn't get near what is happening in downtown Seattle right now.

[phxSUNSfan]

That was an odd line. I think the intent may have been to compare the potential for $2.4 billion to current investment in Seattle and Denver. I can't speak for Denver but, as you mention, even that amount probably doesn't get near what is happening in downtown Seattle right now.

Not even then, public investment in downtown Seattle exceeds $3 billion alone for the cost of waterfront improvements and the redevelopment slated to begin soon. Throw in the $2 billion for light rail and extensions and it isn't even in the same ballpark. Amazon's HQ alone accounts for over over $700 million in private investment. I won't even include recent skyscrapers under construction and new highrise condo towers being built.

Denver isn't growing nearly as fast as Seattle but even there, one project by itself (Union Station) will cost $500-600 million. Right now downtown Denver has hotel, condo towers, and office towers under construction. Phoenix has had over $2.5 billion in public investment the last 5 years, not counting private investments like the nearly $1 billion CityScape development. What is going on in Tucson would better compare to what is happening in Tempe (minus the $600+ million State Farm HQ and the $350 million USA Place).

The article's author did not check her facts before writing that piece. At least it wasn't in a professional business publication. It was in what is basically a real estate publication ... real estate types tend to exaggerate. One important thing the article failed to mention by name, although I'm sure it was included in the totals, is the streetcar extension. The streetcar is, and will be, an important catalyst for downtown development in Tucson.

[Ted Lyons]

Not even then, public investment in downtown Seattle exceeds $3 billion alone for the cost of waterfront improvements and the redevelopment slated to begin soon. Throw in the $2 billion for light rail and extensions and it isn't even in the same ballpark. Amazon's HQ alone accounts for over over $700 million in private investment. I won't even include recent skyscrapers under construction and new highrise condo towers being built.

Denver isn't growing nearly as fast as Seattle but even there, one project by itself (Union Station) will cost $500-600 million. Right now downtown Denver has hotel, condo towers, and office towers under construction. Phoenix has had over $2.5 billion in public investment the last 5 years, not counting private investment like the $600 million CityScape development. What is going on in Tucson would better compare to what is happening in Tempe.

The article's author did not check her facts before writing that piece. At least it wasn't in a professional business publication. It was in basically, a real estate publication and real estate types tend to exaggerate. One important thing the article failed to mention by name, though I'm sure it was included in the totals, is the streetcar extension. The streetcar is, and will be, an important catalyst for downtown development in Tucson.

The original quote is actually from Inside Tucson Business, so it may not have been a realtor.

[phxSUNSfan]

The original quote is actually from Inside Tucson Business, so it may not have been a realtor.

You're right and that is horrible if the editors in a business publication let that go to print. Those statements could have been debunked by a simple Google search. Ouch!

[Ritarancher]

Development in tucson isnt above a national average it's at the average. Same with population growth. We as Tucsonans seem to make things sound better than they are. Once we can start making more buildings that aren't UofA related (and I do like the UofA's contribution) We can start talking about being comparable with Portland or Denver. All we've rebuilt besides UOfA and senior housing is the TEP building, One east broadway and the courthouse. We have planned things (Gadsen or Green Line) but those plans always fail or never get built. I hate being compared to Tempe but that's where we're at. If we can get a middle class downtown that'd be great but all we've got now are low income seniors, or urban baby boomers as they were called in the article, and college students. And what do they mean by tech savvy? Somebody who uses iPhones and goes on the Internet daily?

[Ritarancher]

Development news. I found another story that you may or may not have seen about downtown. What I found interesting was that the marriot hotel would be here for 50 years. That's an older building but I'd hope it would be a quality building that could last at least 100 years!
Sorry I forgot to put in the link but here it is.
http://m.insidetucsonbusiness.com/construction_real_estate/tucson-s-renaissance/article_8dd17de4-05d1-11e3-9ea6-0019bb2963f4.html
It seems to be very similar to the story posted above.

[Ritarancher]

A new Burlington Coat Factory is underway at the site of Tucson's last old Mervyn's building at Interstate 19 and Ajo. This project was announced way back in June and we're just seeing this. At least I think this is the first time this is mentioned on this thread. It looks like it is set to open in October.It will be the chain's ninth location in Arizona, following the opening of the new store in scottsdale.
http://careers.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/new-store-opening.asp?user_id=

[Ted Lyons]

More details on the Arizona Hotel purchase:

Historic Tucson hotel sold to Sonora investors

http://azstarnet.com/business/local/historic-tucson-hotel-sold-to-sonora-investors/article_d39cf4df-430c-5d2e-aa07-5911dacbfea1.html

A historic downtown hotel, which has operated for nearly 100 years, is getting new life.

Investors from Nogales, Sonora recently purchased the Arizona Hotel at 35 N. Sixth Avenue and plan a major interior renovation.

“It has a lot of potential and historic value,” said Marcel Dabdoub, the manager of the family-owned investment company. “We’re looking forward to joining others who are investing in downtown Tucson to make it vibrant.”

Specific details on what will become of the 97-year-old building are still being refined, Dabdoub said, but, as part of the renovation, the historic feel and look will be preserved.

The Dabdoub family is involved in all sorts of projects downtown, including the AC Hotel project, so this is even more promising than I thought.

[aznate27]

Here's an interesting article on High-rise construction in the U.S. over the past decade that mentions Tucson. The writer is surprised that for a city our size, economic conditions, and good quality of life, there have been no high-rises constructed (18 stories or higher ) since the 80's. I don't think he's taken into consideration the low-rise boom here over the last few years that will most likely lead to taller buildings in the next 10 which has already started with the construction of Level and the other two high-rises (13-15 stories).

An Analysis of U.S. High-rise Construction Activity in This Century (http://highrisefacilities.com/an-analysis-of-u-s-high-rise-construction-activity-in-this-century/)

High-Rise Facilities
David Holmes |August 21, 2013

" I was surprised by the relative lack of recent high-rise building construction in cities such as Columbus, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, St. Paul, and Tucson..."

[phxSUNSfan]

...that will most likely lead to taller buildings in the next 10 which has already started with the construction of Level and the other two high-rises (13-15 stories).

A building with 13-15 floors is not a highrise, it's a mid-rise building. The popularity, which had proven to not be fleeting, of the suburban office park really put a damper on downtown development and the need for highrises from the 80s until the recession in 2007. Hopefully the end of the office park, or at least the proliferation of such construction, is near as more people are choosing to live closer to work and in unique properties near historic city centers.

[farmerk]

Here's an interesting article on High-rise construction in the U.S. over the past decade that mentions Tucson. The writer is surprised that for a city our size, economic conditions, and good quality of life, there have been no high-rises constructed (18 stories or higher ) since the 80's. I don't think he's taken into consideration the low-rise boom here over the last few years that will most likely lead to taller buildings in the next 10 which has already started with the construction of Level and the other two high-rises (13-15 stories).

An Analysis of U.S. High-rise Construction Activity in This Century (http://highrisefacilities.com/an-analysis-of-u-s-high-rise-construction-activity-in-this-century/)

High-Rise Facilities
David Holmes |August 21, 2013

" I was surprised by the relative lack of recent high-rise building construction in cities such as Columbus, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, St. Paul, and Tucson..."

Yep, I think that's how it works with Tucson, after decades of 'self-destruction' , it will take a step-by-step healing process before it accepts our dream of a skyscraper downtown. So far, Tucson's definition of high rise , is currently 10 floors (from 5 floors ... from 3 floors).

Anyway, I wished I have a photo of the new County Courthouse downtown but I must say it's looking good. I visited Thunder Canyon Brewery for the first time last night and it was packed.

[Patrick S]

A building with 13-15 floors is not a high-rise, it's a mid-rise building. The popularity, which had proven to not be fleeting, of the suburban office park really put a damper on downtown development and the need for high-rises from the 80s until the recession in the 2007. Hopefully the end of the office park, or at least the proliferation of such construction, is near as more people are choosing to live closer to work and in unique properties near historic city centers.
Couldn't agree with this entire post more. 13-15 floors is not high-rise, and hopefully the end (or the slowing down of) the proliferation of office-parks and sprawl in general, is upon us, or near.

[southtucsonboy77]

Here's an interesting article on High-rise construction in the U.S. over the past decade that mentions Tucson. The writer is surprised that for a city our size, economic conditions, and good quality of life, there have been no high-rises constructed (18 stories or higher ) since the 80's. I don't think he's taken into consideration the low-rise boom here over the last few years that will most likely lead to taller buildings in the next 10 which has already started with the construction of Level and the other two high-rises (13-15 stories).

An Analysis of U.S. High-rise Construction Activity in This Century (http://highrisefacilities.com/an-analysis-of-u-s-high-rise-construction-activity-in-this-century/)

High-Rise Facilities
David Holmes |August 21, 2013

" I was surprised by the relative lack of recent high-rise building construction in cities such as Columbus, Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, St. Paul, and Tucson..."

First of all, awesome article. Great read.

I wonder though...the activity of MID-RISE building in cities such as Tucson, Albuquerque, Fresno...etc. I remember when the 4-5 story Pennington Garage was a big deal. That's how desperate we were. Now...despite the article saying anything less than 18 stories wouldn't change the landscape of a skyline...I feel for certain cities...especially the Southwest and certain areas in the West (Central California Valley) where skyscrapers were not historically prominent...it would.

Tucson is working its way up...our tallest new construction is 14 stories...hopefully in the near future we'll get to that 18 and up threshold. My 1st guess is a residential tower at the Peach property on Broadway.

[aznate27]

First of all, awesome article. Great read.

I wonder though...the activity of MID-RISE building in cities such as Tucson, Albuquerque, Fresno...etc. I remember when the 4-5 story Pennington Garage was a big deal. That's how desperate we were. Now...despite the article saying anything less than 18 stories wouldn't change the landscape of a skyline...I feel for certain cities...especially the Southwest and certain areas in the West (Central California Valley) where skyscrapers were not historically prominent...it would.

Tucson is working its way up...our tallest new construction is 14 stories...hopefully in the near future we'll get to that 18 and up threshold. My 1st guess is a residential tower at the Peach property on Broadway.

I think you're right in saying that MID-RISE buildings (you people and your technical building terms :sly:) can change the landscape of a city like Tucson. It's changing the Main gate area I feel dramatically in giving the area a mini skyline similar to that around the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix where a lot of mid-rise buildings were built in the last decade.

[Ritarancher]

I think you're right in saying that MID-RISE buildings (you people and your technical building terms :sly:) can change the landscape of a city like Tucson. It's changing the Main gate area I feel dramatically in giving the area a mini skyline similar to that around the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix where a lot of mid-rise buildings were built in the last decade.

Yes and no. Main gate square has dramatically changed and should developers full in as many of the lots as they can to their full height, it will make a significant difference. Especially if the first floors of the buildigs make up an outdoor mall or something to attract people to shop there. However the tallest building in the city is one south church. Our skyline will look more dense but not taller. I'm not neccessairily saying that either type of skyline ( dense or tall) is better I'm just saying that you still can not see the buildings from as far away.

[andrewsaturn]

First streetcar is suppose to arrive in Tucson Friday and the others later this year and City Council is continuing their meetings on the best way to utilize the land west of I10. The proposals for it should be coming in soon and I hope they're good ones because we need something that will actually draw people to the west side in order to fully utilize the streetcar route.

Here's a short article about that:
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/23262206/streetcar-forums-wrap-up-with-western-terminus

[andrewsaturn]

Yep, I think that's how it works with Tucson, after decades of 'self-destruction' , it will take a step-by-step healing process before it accepts our dream of a skyscraper downtown. So far, Tucson's definition of high rise , is currently 10 floors (from 5 floors ... from 3 floors).

Anyway, I wished I have a photo of the new County Courthouse downtown but I must say it's looking good. I visited Thunder Canyon Brewery for the first time last night and it was packed.

Yes it will take a little longer for the culture of Tucson or some of it against really tall buildings to be more lenient and I think we're headed in the right direction we just need companies with good paying jobs to really spearhead the movement.

I'm not surprised that TCB was busy since it was the week that people were moving into the Cadence which I am liking better now. I am disappointed that we didn't get a grocery store for them, hopefully we hear soon about that.

[aznate27]

Yes and no. Main gate square has dramatically changed and should developers full in as many of the lots as they can to their full height, it will make a significant difference. Especially if the first floors of the buildigs make up an outdoor mall or something to attract people to shop there. However the tallest building in the city is one south church. Our skyline will look more dense but not taller. I'm not neccessairily saying that either type of skyline ( dense or tall) is better I'm just saying that you still can not see the buildings from as far away.

Depends on where you are. From the freeway you can see Level, and I drive back into the city from Catalina after work and going down Oracle road or 1st before River overlooks the valley, you can definitely see the change from those vanatge points in the city.

[oldpueblo]

Depends on where you are. From the freeway you can see Level, and I drive back into the city from Catalina after work and going down Oracle road or 1st before River overlooks the valley, you can definitely see the change from those vanatge points in the city.

Agreed. You can also get a great glimpse of Level from I-10 heading west as you pass the I-19 overpass. Once the other two buildings are surrounding Level, I think it will look fantastic. Would love to see 18+, though.

[ProfessorMole]

Took a shot of Hub today as I walked by. They are moving along pretty quickly. Now that the Level folks have moved in, Tyndall is shutdown and blocked for Hub construction.

Also, looked back a few pages and hadnt seen this posted yet. New Resort style apartments and shopping project on the South East Corner of 1st and Oracle in Oro Valley.

AZRE Magazine Article (http://azremagazine.com/economic-development/marktaylor-kitchell-break-ground-southern-arizona-development)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BS3KobCCQAA7pfm.jpg:large

[southtucsonboy77]

The 20 Best Cities for 20-Somethings (http://greatist.com/health/20-best-cities-20-somethings)

Tucson rated #2...surprised me!

I'll take positive press anyday...hopefully our current downtown/Main Gate development keeps us at a high ranking.

[southtucsonboy77]

Price climbs for Padres’ new El Paso ballpark (http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/blogs/price-climbs-for-padres-new-el-paso-ballpark/article_6d3ba1b0-10ec-11e3-87d7-0019bb2963f4.html)

It's El Paso's problem now...although at least they had the vision of building it downtown.

[Ritarancher]

The 20 Best Cities for 20-Somethings (http://greatist.com/health/20-best-cities-20-somethings)

Tucson rated #2...surprised me!

I'll take positive press anyday...hopefully our current downtown/Main Gate development keeps us at a high ranking.

Padres just aren't worth keeping. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings but the team wasn't very good, always had low attendance and were never too exciting. You don't know how many times I've won padres tickets and letter go to waste because nobody wanted them. They always were the prize for charities that nobody wanted. Good luck El Paso
As for that 20's list. The only complainy I have is that they make each city seem smaller than it is. The average person barely knows that we have 50 states so when you tell somebody that DC had 600k people they think they're moving to a small city but they get there and all of a sudden there's 5,000,000 people. Ok maybe I'm being too nice because from my experience people don't have a concept of understanding population. One time my life friend asked me what the biggest city in the US was and I said new York and she was really surprised that it wasn't Phoenix and was even more surprised that Tucson had more than 1,000 people. However this isn't the only similar experience but is probably the biggest surprise. I'd vote for a one cent sales tax to teach this to future generations.

[nickw252]

The first of eight new streetcars will arrive in Tucson this morning, but it will be at least a month before anyone sees it riding the 3.9 miles of newly laid track running between the University of Arizona and downtown.

Fresh off the factory floor, the 65-foot-long blue and silver cars from United Streetcar will spend the holiday weekend in a warehouse before crews begin reassembling the vehicle and testing it.

As many as 10 technicians from the Oregon Ironworks subsidiary that built the cars will spend the next four to six weeks testing Tucson’s first addition to its modern streetcar fleet, said Carlos de Leon, the deputy director for the Tucson Department of Transportation.

Until then, fans of the double-ended electric vehicles will have to be patient to catch a glimpse of it on Tucson streets.

“There is a number of tests that have to be done over time,” de Leon said.

Until those inspections are complete, the streetcar will officially still be in the possession of the manufacturer, not the city of Tucson.

Delivery of the streetcar is nearly a year behind the original projections.

The streetcar in Tucson marks the fifth delivered product for the Clackamas, Ore.-based company.

Shipping the first streetcar for Tucson, United Streetcar President Kevin Clarke said, “marks another big milestone” for the company as it continues to grow.

Once in the city’s possession, on-site tests of the system will begin on the nearly four-mile track linking the University of Arizona campus to downtown Tucson.

However, the city needs at least two cars to fully test the electrical systems that power the cars.

Several members of the Tucson City Council have publicly called for United Streetcar to be fined for the delays, but de Leon said it is premature to discuss the cost of the contact while construction of the other seven cars is under way.

The city, however, has informed the streetcar builder it could decide to charge damages for further delays.

De Leon said the $197 million project is financially “on track.”

The last car is expected to be delivered next April, with a new car arriving every four weeks.

Barring any other delays, the streetcar could be up and running by next summer.

A planned “First-Streetcar Arrival Community Celebration” is planned for early September, but no date has been set.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/first-new-streetcar-hits-tucson-but-won-t-be-on/article_4d591498-c1e3-572a-82cb-3a926a553048.html

http://i41.tinypic.com/28cgakh.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2merb6a.jpg

[Thirsty]

That last picture says everything you need to know about the rail system in the Western US. We have to truck train cars from Oregon to Arizona. :no:

[nickw252]

That last picture says everything you need to know about the rail system in the Western US. We have to truck train cars from Oregon to Arizona. :no:

I don't think you can draw any conclusion from that picture. Freight rail and passenger rail are two completely different animals. That's like saying America's air transportation system is poor because airplane parts are transported on semis rather than in airplanes. Or that our road network is poor because new cars are transported via train (they are (http://i42.tinypic.com/rjdpfk.jpg)). That same non-sequitur logic was used by people opposed to solar power. When First Solar announced plans to build the manufacturing plant in Mesa there were idiots saying that since the factory had to be connected to the electrical grid it proved that solar panels don't work.

That being said, the eastern and Midwestern US do have more a more comprehensive freight rail network. That, however, is a product of the eastern and Midwestern US being settled and developed hundreds of years earlier than the west.

[Thirsty]

I don't think you can draw any conclusion from that picture. Freight rail and passenger rail are two completely different animals. That's like saying America's air transportation system is poor because airplane parts are transported on semis rather than in airplanes. Or that our road network is poor because new cars are transported via train (they are (http://i42.tinypic.com/rjdpfk.jpg)). That same non-sequitur logic was used by people opposed to solar power. When First Solar announced plans to build the manufacturing plant in Mesa there were idiots saying that since the factory had to be connected to the electrical grid it proved that solar panels don't work.

That being said, the eastern and Midwestern US do have more a more comprehensive freight rail network. That, however, is a product of the eastern and Midwestern US being settled and developed hundreds of years earlier than the west.

If it fits on a truck, it fits on a train car.

Trucking is expensive, and interstate freight is moved by rail when time and connections aren't too much of a headache.

Edit: I'm thinking, depending on how much those late delivery penalties are, maybe being able to get it here in 30-40 hours was worth the expense to the manufacturer.

I don't know where airplanes and solar panels come into this at all.

[ComplotDesigner]

Good Oak Bar opens tonight at 7pm.

[Ted Lyons]

Good Oak Bar opens tonight at 7pm.

I'm pretty excited, although I think I'll wait a few days before I go.

[Patrick S]

Three interesting articles on the TIBO (http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/) website.

Port of Tucson Gets federal grant (http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/?p=1352)

We have published many articles on The Port of Tucson and the need for Tucson to become a hub for importing and exporting goods, with a high priority on those coming in and out of Mexico. Most Tucson leaders agree that this will bring many things to Tucson including higher paying jobs, companies, and tax revenue but it has remained mostly talk until now. The Port of Tucson, a privately owned rail yard, has received a $5 million federal grant to help them in their operations. Specifically this will allow them to buy and install the equipment needed to take a train off the Union Pacific main line and unload or load the freight containers onto the train or semi trucks at a very good pace. They will be able to service 240 containers daily without needing to disconnect cars or other time consuming actions. For those not familiar with The Port of Tucson from our earlier articles, it is a privately owned, family business on about 780 acres near I-10 and Kolb rd. This is a great step forward in hopefully turning Tucson into a commerce hub. The next major step seems to be the proposed rail yard just south of Picacho Peak. This week we will be publishing an article about the expanding industry and port in Guaymas, Mexico and some of the Tucson companies already benefiting from that. We also have an old editorial on how important Guaymas and the Canamex Corridor will be to improving Tucson’s economy.


Saguaro Bloom housing development’s future looking postitive (http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/?p=1349)

The 2,500 lot, 700 acre, housing development in Marana called Saguaro Bloom recently sold its first 250 lots. The Scottsdale based development firm D.R. Horton will now be in charge of the development that sits off Twin Peaks rd. near Rattlesnake pass. The land has been sitting vacant after being cleared of vegetation for some time now. The new approach of the developers is to lower the amount of lots on the property and add more community features such as parks, trails, open space, playgrounds, etc. This is definitely a change for developers where the common practice used to be to stick as many homes on the land you have and leave no space in between them. These homes will range from $190,000 to $340,000 and three and four bedroom models ranging from 1,500 to 3,100 sq ft. Many attempts by different developers have been made on this parcel of land, but finally it looks like it will finally become a community. This is good news for a Tucson housing market that seems to be on the up swing especially in the Northwest area of Tucson-Metro where more than 50% of new housing construction permits were issued for so far this year.


Sahuarita hoping to annex 60 sq. miles to the east (http://tibo.zxq.net/wordpress/?p=1341)

Sahuarita is re-looking into the idea of annexing 60 square miles of land east of the current city limits all the way to Houghton Rd. This would more than double the size of the city. The plan was turned down 6 years ago because it was thought it was just too much land at that time. The majority of this land in question is state owned land and the plan would be to annex the land in smaller pieces and in time eventually make up the full area. Most of the reasoning behind the desire to acquire the land falls behind rising new home construction numbers that are expected to continue to rise as well as the cities desire to become more of a self sustaining/self employing city, as about 70 percent of working residents work in Green Valley or Tucson, while only 16 percent stay in town to work. They would be left with a blank slate more or less to plan the future of the eastern half of the city. Also since incorporating in 1994 Sahuarita has been very successful. Their initial population was under 2,000 and is currently almost 30,000 people. Vail will also be voting at the end of this year on whether or not they are willing to Incorporate or not. If both Sahuarita’s annexation and Vail’s incorporation go through, Tucson would be bordered fully to the south by suburban cities, both with large amounts of land hoping to be developed. So far all of Tucson’s incorporated suburbs have done very well for themselves, not just exponentially expanding in population but also expanding in certain areas of industry, adding office and commercial developments to their cities and expanding their residential developments. It seems like localizing their tax money has benefited these Cities.

[aznate27]

Historic downtown apartments renovated (http://azstarnet.com/business/local/historic-downtown-apartments-renovated/article_4427537b-8b99-5427-bceb-c7f5715ca258.html)

By Veronica Cruz Arizona Daily Star

Finishing touches are being put on several newly renovated units at downtown’s historic San Carlos Apartments, after a storm caused major water damage to some of the complex’s 36 units just before Christmas.

(full article at link above)

[farmerk]

Historic downtown apartments renovated (http://azstarnet.com/business/local/historic-downtown-apartments-renovated/article_4427537b-8b99-5427-bceb-c7f5715ca258.html)

By Veronica Cruz Arizona Daily Star

Finishing touches are being put on several newly renovated units at downtown’s historic San Carlos Apartments, after a storm caused major water damage to some of the complex’s 36 units just before Christmas.

(full article at link above)

Didn't know a storm caused that apt to renovate. Glad the owners didn't replaced it with a new 'high rise'. That apt is a Tucson gem.

Anyway, a good spot for a 'high rise' would be that empty lot besides TEP and that parking lot across it (behind Chicago Store)....few yards from that gem.

[aznate27]

Didn't know a storm caused that apt to renovate. Glad the owners didn't replaced it with a new 'high rise'. That apt is a Tucson gem.

Anyway, a good spot for a 'high rise' would be that empty lot besides TEP and that parking lot across it (behind Chicago Store)....few yards from that gem.

I have a feeling that with-in the next couple years, with the street car up and running, something will happen with the parking lot across from Unisource Energy. It's a large lot, especially for underground parking. It would be nice to see a building as tall as Unisource, or a couple floors higher. I'm thinking whatever get's built there will most likely be residential.

[andrewsaturn]

I have a feeling that with-in the next couple years, with the street car up and running, something will happen with the parking lot across from Unisource Energy. It's a large lot, especially for underground parking. It would be nice to see a building as tall as Unisource, or a couple floors higher. I'm thinking whatever get's built there will most likely be residential.

I was thinking the same thing. It's definitely going to get developed. We might see a mid-highrise with retail on ground level.

[farmerk]

@aznate27 and @andrewsaturn , I agree with you both. Politics is probably the only reason what's taking so long to build a generic residential/retail building in those spots. I'm still looking forward to see one or two brand name grocery stores within downtown.

As much as I want to see museums, arenas, rainbow bridge etc.. downtown, I'd initially prefer residential/retail buildings littered all over central Tucson.

[aznate27]

I'm hoping some of that $100 Million will include some larger projects that go upwards;)

Downtown development brings in record new jobs and businesses (http://www.nbcnews.com/id/53007003/ns/local_news-tucson_az/)

By Samantha Ptashkin
KVOA-TV
updated 9/14/2013 2:16:31 AM ET

...Over the last five years downtown has welcomed more than 150 businesses and projects. That includes 34 new restaurants, 27 retail shops, 12 art and cultural projects, 14 offices, nine health and wellness centers, at least nine high-tech businesses or business incubators, eight housing projects, six bars or nightclubs, five bakeries, two coffee shops, two salons, two schools, one craft brewery, one entertainment venue expansion and one hospitality renovation.

In the next year it will welcome 17 more, bringing in an additional $100 million of private investment in 2014. This is in addition to the nearly $600 million of public projects completed in the last five years in downtown and along the streetcar corridor...

(Full Article on link)

[aznate27]

I agree, with a total of six schools in town, I think this would be a waste of tax payer money.

New PCC campus isn't needed, officials say (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/education/college/new-pcc-campus-isn-t-needed-officials-say/article_681dfdf7-68ff-5c3d-b63b-58df80d447dd.html)

By Carol Ann Alaimo Arizona Daily Star

A proposed new $40 million campus for Pima Community College may have been popular with online voters, but it isn’t needed, two college officials say.

Pima County’s top bureaucrat is poised to pull the plug on the project, which has already cost taxpayers more than $100,000 in fees the college paid a lobbyist to promote it.

The concept of a new PCC health-care education campus, first floated in 2007, ranked highly in a recent online poll to gauge public support for projects that could potentially be funded with county bond money...

[Patrick S]

Does anyone know what the construction at the intersection of Valencia and Wilmot is about? I looked on the RTA's website and they said the mobilization of the project to widen Valencia from Wilmot to Alvernon (from 4 to 6 lanes) was to start in August of this year, but this hasn't been updated since the end of April/beginning of May. There is only work, at this time, at the intersection and not between the intersection and the I-10 connection (I don't know about between I-10 and Alvernon since I only take Valencia to I-10). Just wondered if anyone knew anything about this. Thanks.

[southtucsonboy77]

County looking to restore time, temperature clock downtown (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/county-looking-to-restore-time-temperature-clock-downtown/article_07376230-40a0-594b-814c-a9d86235a261.html)

This will bring some light to downtown.

I wish they would have some colorful lights flashing up at some of our buildings like other downtowns do. It looks really neat. The building on east Broadway (across from Chili's) does this.

[aznate27]

County looking to restore time, temperature clock downtown (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/county-looking-to-restore-time-temperature-clock-downtown/article_07376230-40a0-594b-814c-a9d86235a261.html)

This will bring some light to downtown.

I wish they would have some colorful lights flashing up at some of our buildings like other downtowns do. It looks really neat. The building on east Broadway (across from Chili's) does this.

I drive by this building all the time and have often thought why the light sign wasn't turned on. Happy to see it will get some new life.

[Ritarancher]

I was trying to find some pictures of the Pima County tower when it still had it's clock and thermometer when I stumbled upon a fairly recent airport expansion article from the daiy star. It looks like a new runway is being added but it will be used as a solar field until it's needed and when it is needed we would also get a new terminal. I would also like to note that if the picture of the control tower that is in the article is the plan for the new tower, then we need to do some more work on a better design. The picture has a pretty crummy looking tower, it's very generic. With the current control tower being an icon, we expect big from a new tower.
Here's the link to the article;
http://azstarnet.com/tucson-airport-eyes-major-off-airfield-development/article_d21d7779-013e-5d24-958e-3b0134b6183f.html

[Locofresh55]

I was trying to find some pictures of the Pima County tower when it still had it's clock and thermometer when I stumbled upon a fairly recent airport expansion article from the daiy star. It looks like a new runway is being added but it will be used as a solar field until it's needed and when it is needed we would also get a new terminal. I would also like to note that if the picture of the control tower that is in the article is the plan for the new tower, then we need to do some more work on a better design. The picture has a pretty crummy looking tower, it's very generic. With the current control tower being an icon, we expect big from a new tower.
Here's the link to the article;
http://azstarnet.com/tucson-airport-eyes-major-off-airfield-development/article_d21d7779-013e-5d24-958e-3b0134b6183f.html


That tower is rather meh and why not take the letters of "TUCSON" from the current tower and put it on the new tower. Instead of the light blue however, perhaps a slightly darker blue for the letters and instead of the desert beige, why not some other color that makes the tower standout some. The design itself isn't the worst but the bland desert colors makes it almost camouflage if it wasn't for the height.

[farmerk]

I was trying to find some pictures of the Pima County tower when it still had it's clock and thermometer when I stumbled upon a fairly recent airport expansion article from the daiy star. It looks like a new runway is being added but it will be used as a solar field until it's needed and when it is needed we would also get a new terminal. I would also like to note that if the picture of the control tower that is in the article is the plan for the new tower, then we need to do some more work on a better design. The picture has a pretty crummy looking tower, it's very generic. With the current control tower being an icon, we expect big from a new tower.
Here's the link to the article;
http://azstarnet.com/tucson-airport-eyes-major-off-airfield-development/article_d21d7779-013e-5d24-958e-3b0134b6183f.html

I agree with you with the tower being generic ... at least from that rendering and angle. Maybe they should add some nice paint job and as mentioned by locofresh55, put a nicer 'TUCSON' sign.

These towers are nice.
http://archpaper.com/uploads/image/sf_airport_tower_01.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/25994290.jpg

Anyway, I hope 'tower' construction in Tucson doesn't slow down ... haven't seen any new proposals lately. I'm worried :uhh:

[aznate27]

I was trying to find some pictures of the Pima County tower when it still had it's clock and thermometer when I stumbled upon a fairly recent airport expansion article from the daiy star. It looks like a new runway is being added but it will be used as a solar field until it's needed and when it is needed we would also get a new terminal. I would also like to note that if the picture of the control tower that is in the article is the plan for the new tower, then we need to do some more work on a better design. The picture has a pretty crummy looking tower, it's very generic. With the current control tower being an icon, we expect big from a new tower.
Here's the link to the article;
http://azstarnet.com/tucson-airport-eyes-major-off-airfield-development/article_d21d7779-013e-5d24-958e-3b0134b6183f.html

Can you post the pic? I didn't see it in the article....never mind, it loaded, was just being slow. And I agree, that is one dated looking tower! The current one looks better than that!

[Patrick S]

I was trying to find some pictures of the Pima County tower when it still had it's clock and thermometer when I stumbled upon a fairly recent airport expansion article from the daiy star. It looks like a new runway is being added but it will be used as a solar field until it's needed and when it is needed we would also get a new terminal. I would also like to note that if the picture of the control tower that is in the article is the plan for the new tower, then we need to do some more work on a better design. The picture has a pretty crummy looking tower, it's very generic. With the current control tower being an icon, we expect big from a new tower.
Here's the link to the article;
http://azstarnet.com/tucson-airport-eyes-major-off-airfield-development/article_d21d7779-013e-5d24-958e-3b0134b6183f.html

I actually like the new airport control tower design. What really grabbed my attention was the extension of Country Club Rd. farther south, a High Speed Rail station, and the I-198 marked on the map.

[Patrick S]

Here's a link to the TIA Master Plan website mentioned in the article: http://www.tiamasterplan.com/. Unfortunately, most of the text is unreadable in the plan, but there are pictures of the proposal.

[Qwijib0]

Final touches being put on the streetcar stations-- awnings, glass, and signage.

http://i.imgur.com/DqTXFHy.jpg

The awnings are not nearly wide enough to shade waiting passengers, but the streetcar will stay out of the sun.

[Patrick S]

Final touches being put on the streetcar stations-- awnings, glass, and signage.

http://i.imgur.com/DqTXFHy.jpg

The awnings are not nearly wide enough to shade waiting passengers, but the streetcar will stay out of the sun.

What time of the day did you take that picture? I think during the middle of a summer's day (the most important time to be in the shade), the shade will be much better for the passengers.

[Thirsty]

What time of the day did you take that picture? I think during the middle of a summer's day (the most important time to be in the shade), the shade will be much better for the passengers.

Looks like high noon. I agree it will be better in mid-summer, and is long enough to offer some morning/evening protection.

Still, I assume this falls under the 90% of examples where architects, planners etc. incorporate shade structure into their design. They assumption is always the sun is perpetually in that location's zenith. Never a thought to time of day use, or even time of season. You'd think Phoenix and Tucson is where these sort of things would get some consideration.

BTW: Great finds on the airport info, very interesting to read some details of all the vague strategy talk.

[southtucsonboy77]

Plan that could alter downtown transit center moves ahead (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/plan-that-could-alter-downtown-transit-center-moves-ahead/article_56e4ac09-b1b4-5a16-8a00-2020ae2ae666.html)

I'm very glad this is moving forward. On the issue of urban landscape and use, the transit center is definitely in the wrong place.

Secondly, the firm Poster Frost Mirto collected input from residents on what they would like to see spring up on the transit center site and suggestions included urban open space and parking lots? WTF? A grocery store is good with a dense mix-use...but open space and parking lots?

As always, there are the protestors. What are they really protesting about? That the transit center may be shifted a block north? That it may be relocated on streetcar line near the freeway IN downtown? They are reacting as if they are eliminating the transit center and/or relocating it miles away. Geez people are weird.

[Ted Lyons]

Plan that could alter downtown transit center moves ahead (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/plan-that-could-alter-downtown-transit-center-moves-ahead/article_56e4ac09-b1b4-5a16-8a00-2020ae2ae666.html)

I'm very glad this is moving forward. On the issue of urban landscape and use, the transit center is definitely in the wrong place.

Secondly, the firm Poster Frost Mirto collected input from residents on what they would like to see spring up on the transit center site and suggestions included urban open space and parking lots? WTF? A grocery store is good with a dense mix-use...but open space and parking lots?

As always, there are the protestors. What are they really protesting about? That the transit center may be shifted a block north? That it may be relocated on streetcar line near the freeway IN downtown? They are reacting as if they are eliminating the transit center and/or relocating it miles away. Geez people are weird.

I posted this elsewhere but I can only assume they asked a bunch of people who haven't been downtown in years what they thought should happen.

I'm all for parks, but not right there at the most critical intersection downtown. A parking lot would just be utterly stupid.

The plus is that the guy who conducted the study seems to get what needs to happen, so I don't think we'll actually have to worry about poor use of the land.

On another note, the people standing behind the transit center are becoming increasingly annoying. The city has already made it clear that they would like to move the transit center a half block north which would negatively impact approximately no one who uses it and, yet, these people are acting like they're going to lose access altogether. Taking this all-or-nothing approach will not work for them in the long run and only diminishes their ability to achieve a reasonable outcome for themselves.

[Patrick S]

Well - This sucks.

Road Runner: Further widening of I-10 to Phoenix off the books for now (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/road-runner-further-widening-of-i--to-phoenix-off/article_373ba2a7-9a2d-57ff-8452-64b20b625905.html)

Anyone who regularly commutes between Tucson and Phoenix has stories of close calls, near misses and idiotic drivers.

The dream for those driving this flat, relatively straight piece of Interstate 10 is for the day when there will be three lanes in both directions.

It should be pretty simple in theory. There are only a handful of bridges to widen, little in the way of physical barriers (no hills to carve into, for example) and no buildings needing relocation.

So why doesn’t the state get busy on paving the rest of Interstate 10?

The answer is funding, Dustin Krugel, a public information officer for the Arizona Department of Transportation, says.

In the last five years, he says, ADOT has invested nearly $170 million to widen I-10 from two lanes to three lanes in several locations between Tucson and Phoenix.

For those who are skeptical, those improvements include Val Vista Road to Earley Road, Interstate 8 to Arizona 87, Tangerine Road to Pinal Air Park Road, Picacho Peak Road to Pinal Air Park Road, and the town of Picacho to Picacho Peak Road.

The State Transportation Board had to wear the black hat recently when it had to reduce ADOT’s Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program by $350 million, affecting ADOT’s ability to commit additional funds to the I-10 corridor.

The state agency had to cut costs because of lower than expected project revenues and declining federal revenue. This means three areas along Interstate 10 remain unfinished and essentially off ADOT’s official to-do list for the next five years.

There are only two sections of highway that are not a six-lane highway between Casa Grande and Tucson. They are Earley Road to the I-8 junction and the Arizona 87 junction to the town of Picacho.

The design work is nearly done for the SR 87 to Picacho  segment, and the Earley Road to I-8 project is more than half-way designed; both lack funding for the actual  work in ADOT’s five-year plan.

Those of us who have slammed our brakes approaching Phoenix should know that 20 miles of I-10 north of Casa Grande will be a lot harder to expand, Krugel says.

“ADOT is studying the widening of I-10 between the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) to I-8 near Casa Grande. Extensive environmental and design studies will need to be completed prior to construction,” he said.

Under current funding levels, this means the dream of many commuters of three lanes in each direction to Phoenix might not come true until sometime around 2020.

And that is a best-case scenario

[andrewsaturn]

Plan that could alter downtown transit center moves ahead (http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/plan-that-could-alter-downtown-transit-center-moves-ahead/article_56e4ac09-b1b4-5a16-8a00-2020ae2ae666.html)

I'm very glad this is moving forward. On the issue of urban landscape and use, the transit center is definitely in the wrong place.

Secondly, the firm Poster Frost Mirto collected input from residents on what they would like to see spring up on the transit center site and suggestions included urban open space and parking lots? WTF? A grocery store is good with a dense mix-use...but open space and parking lots?

As always, there are the protestors. What are they really protesting about? That the transit center may be shifted a block north? That it may be relocated on streetcar line near the freeway IN downtown? They are reacting as if they are eliminating the transit center and/or relocating it miles away. Geez people are weird.

Yes, I agree. Unfortunately, there are people in Tucson who like things just the way they are no matter how much better something else is (i.e El Rio Golf Course, the protestors said to turn it into a park or no park at all, which meant keeping it as a golf course that continues to lose money). But we all know this and it's like hearing a broken record by now!

Here is an additional report about the site.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/city-moves-cautiously-forward-with-development-plans-for-ronstadt-center/

One member of the Tucson Bus Riders Union claims that there won't be enough available space for people to congregate, educate one another, and be in a place where people don't have to spend money.

I think we can make a plan that makes everyone happy. We can utilize that space to it's potential while also moving the transit center to another area in downtown where it can be made better than it ever was. There just has to be a plan that would win over the bus riders there and the Union.

[Lgv]

One member of the Tucson Bus Riders Union claims that there won't be enough available space for people to congregate, educate one another, and be in a place where people don't have to spend money.

I think we can make a plan that makes everyone happy. We can utilize that space to it's potential while also moving the transit center to another area in downtown where it can be made better than it ever was. There just has to be a plan that would win over the bus riders there and the Union.

I totally agree that a good plan can come out of this! This controversy is so silly because relatively simple solutions exist such as:

1) Moving the transit center slightly north or west so as to keep it in downtown and near the streetcar. Then all kinds of development could happen there ;)

2) Squeezing in a residential/retail development project along the edges of the property (or at least along congress) and positioning the bus center differently. There is actually that triangular piece of parking lot just north of the bus loop that could be utilized.

OR

3) Build right over it. Have the buses dock right inside a modern transit building on the first floor (or underground), and have all of the street front be retail. The floors above could be residential and maybe some office space. There is quite a lot of space that could be build over the current transit center situation. This one is probably the most costly/least likely, but what my heart would like to see happen.

That triangular parking lot between Pennington and Toole is just begging to be utilized, AS WELL AS that lot just north right along the train tracks. If I was in charge of future development I would incorporate all three lots into one grand transit/residential/retail project. I would rout future high speed rail right along the existing rail path and have its downtown station be a part of the multipurpose development, similar to what San Francisco is doing with their future transit center, but Tucson scaled ;)

[Patrick S]

I totally agree that a good plan can come out of this! This controversy is so silly because relatively simple solutions exist such as:

1) Moving the transit center slightly north or west so as to keep it in downtown and near the streetcar. Then all kinds of development could happen there ;)

2) Squeezing in a residential/retail development project along the edges of the property (or at least along congress) and positioning the bus center differently. There is actually that triangular piece of parking lot just north of the bus loop that could be utilized.

OR

3) Build right over it. Have the buses dock right inside a modern transit building on the first floor (or underground), and have all of the street front be retail. The floors above could be residential and maybe some office space. There is quite a lot of space that could be build over the current transit center situation. This one is probably the most costly/least likely, but what my heart would like to see happen.

That triangular parking lot between Pennington and Toole is just begging to be utilized, AS WELL AS that lot just north right along the train tracks. If I was in charge of future development I would incorporate all three lots into one grand transit/residential/retail project. I would rout future high speed rail right along the existing rail path and have its downtown station be a part of the multipurpose development, similar to what San Francisco is doing with their future transit center, but Tucson scaled ;)
I've been suggesting #3 for a couple years now (I've posted as such before, but it was a while back). Tucson is also in need of a Greyhound bus station and this could be used in conjunction with a new city bus hub along the streetcar route and have this be the bottom floor of a multi-story building. My suggestion was to have all the city's transit offices (as well as the RTA - but these offices are going to be housed in the new 7-story building under construction on Broadway downtown) into this building, as well as retail, offices, restaurants, and possibly even residential. But, if we're going to have this connected to a HSR line it won't be able to be built in the center of downtown (unless the HSR trains came into downtown underground). It would have to be built close to the existing railroad tracks or near where the Greenline project is supposed to be built near I-10.