Tucson Development Thread

[Patrick S]

Half the population of Tucson lives on unincorporated county land (the wealthier half of the population for the most part) Their property taxes go to fixing potholes in Phoenix. Tucson is handling the traffic of a million people with half the tax base.
You are correct that the state doles out money based on incorporated city size for counties, but it has nothing to do with property tax and the unincorporated percentage in Pima County is about 66%, not 50%. But, this is still way too large a percentage and we do lose money, and lots of it.

[Patrick S]

As a property owner (owner of several properties) I am always weary of how Government spends money during a normal basis. Tucson and to a lesser extent Pima County has been less than stellar in transparency. I mean driving thru most streets in Tucson is like driving thru Bedrock. I assume that the voters don't want to spend more in property taxes if they feel the Government is not giving them a bang for the buck. I would do the same here in Maricopa.
These bonds were from Pima County, but the city of Tucson did do a good job with their recent $100 Million bond to fix roads. So far they are coming in under budget and quicker than expected. The roads are getting better (Grant and 22nd St. look and drive so much better and Kolb is much improved too - it just wasn't as bad to start with) and they think they may be able to get an extra $5 Million or so out of the bond due to being under budget.

[Patrick S]

More redevelopment on the Broadway corridor. A new supermarket just got rezoning approval by the city on the southwest corner of Rosemont and Broadway. (http://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/zoning-approved-for-new-broadway-grocery-store-shopping-center)

[farmerk]

Here's more explanation why pima county bonds failed previous election , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jADVQAqoWjw .

They mentioned that pima county bonds rarely fail.

more here, http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/11/06/zona-politics-how-dems-swept-the-council-why-the-bonds-lost-and-digging-into-the-school-funding-package .

Just like most if not all of the folks in this thread, I'm very disappointed.

[InTheBurbs]

Tucson ranked 4th best city for confrences (https://smartasset.com/mortgage/best-cities-for-conferences)

In related news...
Site selectors conference chooses Tucson (http://tucson.com/business/local/site-selectors-conference-chooses-tucson/article_c179e956-5b76-50c5-972e-05598fd55a66.html)

Luis F. Carrasco/Arizona Daily Star
The top site selector consultants, who help companies throughout the world relocate or expand, have chosen Tucson as the site of their 2017 conference.

It’s an opportunity local economic development officials hope will mean more businesses moving to the region.

The group considered about 10 locations throughout Arizona as part of a statewide pitch, said Phil Schneider, chairman of the Site Selectors Guild.

“We had good alternatives in Arizona but it’s the combination of the team and the facilities and the timing,” he said. “Everything came together extraordinarily well for Tucson.”

The guild’s combined membership manages projects valued at more than $30 billion in capital expenditures and thousands of new jobs every year, officials said.

Guild members have been involved in many large projects that have come to Tucson, including the expansions at Ventana Medical Systems and Bombardier Aerospace, and the HomeGoods distribution center.
...
Although the conference is not meant to spotlight the host city, it is still considered a chance to promote the region.

Aerospace and defense, transportation and logistics, alternative energy and natural resources, bioscience and diagnostics are all areas the region is competitive in, said Sun Corridor’s Welsh, and conference attendees will not leave Tucson without knowing about them.

[kaneui]

Here's more explanation why pima county bonds failed previous election , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jADVQAqoWjw .

more here, http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2015/11/06/zona-politics-how-dems-swept-the-council-why-the-bonds-lost-and-digging-into-the-school-funding-package .

Just like most if not all of the folks in this thread, I'm very disappointed.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the defeat of all seven bond measures on Tuesday was a disheartening setback for Tucson and Pima County--not only for the economic boost they would have provided, but also for the region's image and ability to attract more companies with higher-paying jobs. As previously mentioned, there were numerous factors that converged to sink the bond proposals:

1. Timing Voter turnout for off-year elections is generally very low, plus the fact that property owners had just received a higher tax bill in the mail at the same time they were being asked to approve yet another tax hike by voting for the bonds.

2. Misinformation Plenty of voters are distrustful of local government bodies to manage the financial resources at their disposal, as mentioned by the numerous call-ins on Friday's Buckmaster show: http://www.buckmastershow.com/. This image problem continues to persist, in spite of a recent state audit that found the county's financial management of bonds to be exemplary, as well as the city of Tucson's transparency and accountability in handling the recent bond monies for road repair. Many residents also don't understand that, while their county property taxes are very high, the total tax burden for Pima County and Maricopa County residents is approximately the same.

3. Packaging As noted by Daily Star columnist Tim Steller, the bond propositions had a rather "grab-bag" approach, with many important projects mixed in with others that were seen as unnecessary. So even with all the years of hard work by the bond committee, their grouping of the projects didn't resonate with voters, and ultimately served to derail funding for any of them. http://tucson.com/news/local/columnists/steller/steller-after-loss-time-for-a-new-approach-to-bonds/article_afaa0bb4-9fb8-5b61-ab9e-fd37fd7d90cb.html

Needless to say, the majority of those larger but worthwhile projects will now languish until other funding sources can be identified. Mayor Rothschild believes it will now be up to each municipality to fund their own projects in the future. As for the half a million Pima County residents living in unincorporated areas? Maybe it's time to dust off those incorporation papers.

http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/report/110615_varney_elex_op/varney-whats-plan-b-after-bond-defeat/

[kmiller5]

Chicago Music Store is changing hands. I think Dabdoub is doing the Arizona Hotel work, too. It will be interesting to see some plans...

http://m.tucson.com/business/local/chicago-store-selling-its-iconic-downtown-space/article_d5c6bc6e-f020-5adc-9efa-77f90272ce4f.html?mobile_touch=true

[Ted Lyons]

Chicago Music Store is changing hands. I think Dabdoub is doing the Arizona Hotel work, too. It will be interesting to see some plans...

http://m.tucson.com/business/local/chicago-store-selling-its-iconic-downtown-space/article_d5c6bc6e-f020-5adc-9efa-77f90272ce4f.html?mobile_touch=true

This sounds promising to me. There's room for Chicago Store downtown, but they probably don't need that big of a footprint individually and the building as a whole needs significant interior work from what I've heard.

[farmerk]

Nice photo from KVOA. Probably much nicer if the photo took the vehicles out of the picture.

http://kvoa.images.worldnow.com/images/9210001_G.jpg

Vail, Marana, Oro Valley and eastern/southern edges of Tucson torpedoed county $200M bond road plan. Central Tucson said yes. (http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/burbs-torpedoed-county-s-m-road-plan/article_3a885367-4f3f-590c-b6b7-e4a226faa38b.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

[kmiller5]

http://m.tucson.com/business/local/downtown-tucson-funeral-home-to-become-office-space/article_873081a1-ceff-5b07-9e5c-f8da6170ca76.html?mobile_touch=true

Dabdoub has been busy! Good for him

[InTheBurbs]

El Rio's new building rises downtown (http://tucson.com/news/el-rio-s-new-building-rises-downtown/article_f4e243a9-6b13-5578-b177-1102628f98ef.html)

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/e1/fe14339b-3421-5235-801a-ba7b7c42d38d/563bf9c3bb6ee.image.jpg?resize=620%2C354
Source: Arizona Daily Star

[Ted Lyons]

Discussion of/action on the Ronstadt Transit Center RFP is scheduled for the 11/17 city council meeting.

[southtucsonboy77]

Discussion of/action on the Ronstadt Transit Center RFP is scheduled for the 11/17 city council meeting.

Today is the big day...I know both submittals were able to make some revisions, so I'm anxious to see/hear what turns up from this meeting.

[kmiller5]

Discussion of/action on the Ronstadt Transit Center RFP is scheduled for the 11/17 city council meeting.


Peach it is. Hopefully they can secure funding...

[farmerk]

Peach it is. Hopefully they can secure funding...

Give it 20 years for Peach to build a big empty hole at this location.

[Ted Lyons]

Financing could obviously be a problem for Peach, but let's hope the city puts hard deadlines into the development agreement.

Here's one of the new renderings.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUDh3xWUcAAZTvu.png:large
https://twitter.com/BeckyPallack/status/666781094142808064

Moxy is a new Marriott concept. It looks like there's a place in Tempe called Hotel1333 that is being rebranded as a Moxy. Otherwise, most of the locations in development are in Europe.

Normally, I'd figure this was just a placeholder but FORS, which is involved with Peach's proposal, designed the AC so . . .

Also, FORS isn't so great with perspective in their renderings. This appears to be the corner of 6th and Congress looking northeast.

[crzyabe]

A few more updated renderings here:

http://tucson.com/news/local/peach-wins-ronstadt-center-redevelopment-project/article_3c687306-26f2-56ab-a233-4d0ec10a2f12.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct

[southtucsonboy77]

From the Star:

An adjacent tower to Tucson’s tallest building could become a combination of condominiums, luxury apartments and hotel space.

And, while developers say it will be integrated to match the existing structure known by its address, One South Church, it likely won’t be a twin tower.

“The new building won’t be a twin sister . . . maybe a cousin,” owner and developer Roger Karber told members of the Pima Country Real Estate Council Thursday morning. “It’s very rare to be involved with a project that is so unique. We are still exploring options.”

One South Church and its adjoining lot was bought by local investors last month for $32 million.

Karber, managing member of Aerie Development LLC, then bought the1/2-acre lot for $3.5 million, as Aerie is looking toward developing more urban projects.

The company has several luxury apartment complexes in Arizona.

Owners and investors are “crunching the numbers daily” to conceive a successful plan, Karber said.

The top four to six floors could become private condominiums , with luxury rental units in the middle floors and hotel rooms on the bottom floors along with some retail, he told the council.

In response to questions, Karber said he’d like to build about 30 condominiums.

The elevators shaft, which reaches three floors underground and one above was engineered to sustain 23 stories, gives developers an advantage, he said.

“All we have to do is go vertical,” Karber said. “We hope to occupy by mid-2018.”

He envisions the neighboring plaza as a hangout for residents on the south end of downtown, citing the success of places further north, such as The Cup at Hotel Congress on Toole Avenue and La Cocina on Court Avenue.

“That will be key,” Karber said.

He also committed to preserving the Ben’s Bells mural that is wrapped around the exposed elevator shaft of the never-built twin tower.

One of the four panels may remain at the site and the others are “transportable and meaningful,” he told members of the council and asked for ideas on where the other panels could be placed in the community.

Meanwhile, the existing tower, built in 1986, is getting a makeover and already has a new tenant.

Northern Bank of Arizona has signed a lease for space on the first floor, said Matt Thrasher, of Thrasher Law Offices PLLC, one of the new owners.

The building was 30 percent vacant when purchased.

He said upgrades to the offices will be done with an eye toward attracting younger tenants.

Co-owner Zachary Fenton said the building is the same as it was when built 29 years ago and plans are to remove things that “scream 1980s.”

On some floors, the ceilings are being removed to expose the beams and florescent lighting is being replaced with track lighting, he said.

“It’s a great building,” Fenton said, “but it needs some refreshment.”

The 240,811 square-foot tower has 23 stories. It was designed by Curtis W. Fentress of Fentress Architects and built by Sundt Corp.

One South Church was first known as the United Bank Tower, then Citibank Tower, Norwest Tower and UniSource Tower until 2011.

The new owners have not decided whether to change the name.

[farmerk]

Regents to consider $163M UA health-sciences building (http://tucson.com/news/local/regents-to-consider-m-ua-health-sciences-building/article_dc041a9c-5c75-5bef-897a-7670d1b0bc35.html)

A $163 million high-tech facility for health-sciences students at the University of Arizona could add to what’s turning into a local medical construction boom.

The Arizona Board of Regents is scheduled today to consider a 220,000-square-foot “Simulation, Inter-Professional Healthcare Education and Research (SIPHER) Building” to go up on what’s now a parking lot near the UA colleges of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and public health, as well as the Medical Research Building and the BIO5 Institute.

....

The SIPHER building would also be in close proximity to the planned $107.5 million BioScience Research Laboratories building, scheduled for construction beginning next month and going through November 2017.

....

The SIPHER building location east of Cherry Avenue between East Drachman and East Mabel streets is appropriate, UA officials say, since the building would not belong to any one particular health-science school. Rather, it would be a place for nursing, medicine, pharmacy, other health-science faculty, students, businesses and the community at large to collaborate, they say.

The exact height of the SIPHER building has not yet been decided, but a height of 10 or 11 stories has been discussed, UA Health Sciences spokesman George Humphrey said. The SIPHER height would be similar to that of a new tower expected to be constructed at nearby Banner-University Medical Center Tucson.

The timeline on the project, according to materials accompanying the Board of Regents agenda, is for construction to begin in 2017.

The goal would be to have the building ready for students in the fall semester of 2018.

....

[T'Town]

Looks like Tucson may need some more student housing in the next decade if the Regents decide in favor of this unprecedented expansion. This could be huge for downtown Tucson!

From the Arizona Daily Star:

PHOENIX — Arizona's state university system is looking to aggressively grow its student population over the next decade, with hopes of adding 61,000 more students across the three schools.
From the Arizona Daily Star:

The Arizona Republic reports that the Arizona Board of Regents on Thursday set a goal for enrollment at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University to expand to about 224,000 students by 2025.

UA would increase 52 percent to 64,250 students, with 12,000 more online students. NAU enrollment would increase 27 percent to 34,090 students, with a focus on undergraduate education.

ASU is already the nation's largest public research university with 91,000 students. The Regents goal would see that enrollment balloon to 125,000 students, with 35,000 of those students enrolled online.

Regents President Eileen Klein acknowledged that some are concerned the university system is already too large.

[southtucsonboy77]

A few more updated renderings here:

http://tucson.com/news/local/peach-wins-ronstadt-center-redevelopment-project/article_3c687306-26f2-56ab-a233-4d0ec10a2f12.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct

I was reading the Steller (AZ Star) article and there were a few errors in his reporting. He had the hotel at 9 stories, and the other two buildings at 7 stories. The Peach Swaim Proposal RFP Revised Offer (https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/integrated-planning/Peach_Swaim_Proposal_RFP_140983_Revised_Offer.pdf) details the revisions:

Hotel: 7 stories
Building South: 11 stories
Building North: 6 stories
Toole Arts Warehouse/Parking Garage: 8 stories

There was a drop in height/floors, but I'm okay with that.

The revised proposal from Alexander/Oasis was pretty bad in my opinion. If you were a fan of that development, they shot themselves in the foot with their 2nd document.

[T'Town]

I was reading the Steller (AZ Star) article and there were a few errors in his reporting. He had the hotel at 9 stories, and the other two buildings at 7 stories. The Peach Swaim Proposal RFP Revised Offer details the revisions:Anyone have any idea what is planned for the north side of the tracks at the north termination of the pedestrian bridge? Looks like a parking garage for the Ronstadt Buildings, but also some retail shops along 7th St.

[crzyabe]

Anyone have any idea what is planned for the north side of the tracks at the north termination of the pedestrian bridge? Looks like a parking garage for the Ronstadt Buildings, but also some retail shops along 7th St.

I am curious about that as well. At one time that was slated for student housing but I understand that fell through.

It will be interesting if this project moves to construction in 2016 as it will coincide with the Downtown Links construction.

[southtucsonboy77]

I am curious about that as well. At one time that was slated for student housing but I understand that fell through.

It will be interesting if this project moves to construction in 2016 as it will coincide with the Downtown Links construction.

The revised proposal has a timeline showing construction of temporary transit on the lot on Toole at Summer 2017 and construction of the North/South buildings, hotel, and permanent transit in the Fall of 2017. The Toole Warehouse/garage and bridge has a start date of Summer 2018.

[kaneui]

Anyone have any idea what is planned for the north side of the tracks at the north termination of the pedestrian bridge? Looks like a parking garage for the Ronstadt Buildings, but also some retail shops along 7th St.

The initial Ronstadt proposal from Peach mentioned a possible Greyhound terminal on that parcel, although it was deleted from their revised proposal. However, it seems like the site would be a good spot for Greyhound, as it would increase the multi-modal options for the Ronstadt project.

As Rio Nuevo has taken responsibility for relocating Greyhound from the Arena site, I would hope they are considering that parcel, now that Peach's proposal has been selected and their new partners (Stiteler and Dabdoub) already control ownership of the site.

[farmerk]

The initial Ronstadt proposal from Peach mentioned a possible Greyhound terminal on that parcel, although it was deleted from their revised proposal. However, it seems like the site would be a good spot for Greyhound, as it would increase the multi-modal options for the Ronstadt project.



I second that. In fact, it would be nice to have one or two car rental ticket counters at the same location. Plus, several parking spaces for zipcars or hertz car sharing vehicles. Add bike share stations....

I guess we'll have to wait for the next non-local developer to develop that area after Peach fails this project. :yes:

[Ted Lyons]

Anyone have any idea what is planned for the north side of the tracks at the north termination of the pedestrian bridge? Looks like a parking garage for the Ronstadt Buildings, but also some retail shops along 7th St.

The revised proposal says:

Corbett Site
The Greyhound bus station is no longer shown as a use. Retail is planned on the ground floor with car rental and share at the sky bridge landing. Parking on levels two and above supports the Corbett development, 4th Avenue/Warehouse/Arts District and downtown. Residential is above the parking.

[farmerk]

More info about UA's SIPHER building (http://campus-construction.uahs.arizona.edu/sipher-building)

More here...plus updates of UA construction projects (http://www.pdc.arizona.edu/Project/13-9193)

[cdsuofa]

I guess the majority of the land owned by the city was sold this month on the southeast side for the "Fantasy Island" development. Probably see more on that in the near future.
https://tibotucson.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/fantasyisland.jpg

[Qwijib0]

I guess the majority of the land owned by the city was sold this month on the southeast side for the "Fantasy Island" development. Probably see more on that in the near future.
https://tibotucson.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/fantasyisland.jpg

Looks like they did their best to avoid developing the core of the trails, and there's more protected area than in the first revision of the plan. As development goes, I think this is about as good as it gets-- infill that tries to leave a recreational park intact and is near already-existing employment and commercial.

[andrewsaturn]

Just a little bit of news update, published on Nov 28, daily star says

Dabdoub Investments has taken out a $1.8 million permit to begin remodeling work on the former Arizona Hotel, downtown on Sixth Avenue near Congress Street. The general contractor is Metro Tucson Expediting & Development.

http://tucson.com/business/local/what-s-going-up-school-and-mining-truck-wash-among/article_d5fa3389-2a00-5f16-aa0a-4fc73f0ea64e.html

Thought they were renovating already but good news nonetheless.

Also on a side note, it's going to heat up with construction of some notable and big projects in 2016. Like downtown links, main gate hotel, a.c. hotel, arena site, city park, and some Westside projects. I can't wait for 2017 to see the progress!

[Qwijib0]

Just a little bit of news update, published on Nov 28, daily star says

Dabdoub Investments has taken out a $1.8 million permit to begin remodeling work on the former Arizona Hotel, downtown on Sixth Avenue near Congress Street. The general contractor is Metro Tucson Expediting & Development.


I didn't realize HSL no longer owned it.

[crzyabe]

I didn't realize HSL no longer owned it.

DIfferent location. Hotel Arizona is the building near the convention center that is owned by HSL.

Arizona Hotel is the historic building just west of the Ronstadt Center

[Patrick S]

I guess the majority of the land owned by the city was sold this month on the southeast side for the "Fantasy Island" development. Probably see more on that in the near future.
https://tibotucson.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/fantasyisland.jpg
Wow, I haven't heard a thing about this before. I live off Camino Seco, maybe half a mile north of Irvington. Where did you find out about the sale of the land?

[cdsuofa]

Wow, I haven't heard a thing about this before. I live off Camino Seco, maybe half a mile north of Irvington. Where did you find out about the sale of the land?

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1502&doctype=AGENDA
13:B is when it was discussed and there was some additional stuff I cant find now lol I guess now the developer has a 90 day period to finalize everything concerning the purchase

[Qwijib0]

DIfferent location. Hotel Arizona is the building near the convention center that is owned by HSL.

Arizona Hotel is the historic building just west of the Ronstadt Center

:facepalm: carry on then

[crzyabe]

:facepalm: carry on then

I confuse the two as well. I only know because I got exicted once that there might be actual movement on that blight of a building near the convention center.

[ppdd]

Bourn has posted a bunch of images and a detailed brochure about the City Park project.

Facebook image gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.415576088646925.1073741835.171479376389932&type=3

Detailed PDF is here: https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJVck8zT2JFd2VxV2NUQw

[Ted Lyons]

Bourn has posted a bunch of images and a detailed brochure about the City Park project.

Facebook image gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.415576088646925.1073741835.171479376389932&type=3

Detailed PDF is here: https://www.hightail.com/download/ZWJVck8zT2JFd2VxV2NUQw

Nice!

[Patrick S]

Fry’s Marketplace to Build Tucson Store (http://azbex.com/frys-to-build-124ksf-tucson-neighborhood-center/)

Brentwood Developments plans to build a 124KSF Fry’s Marketplace store and gas station on 16.3 vacant acres at the northeast corner of Houghton Road and 22nd Street in Tucson. The site will also feature two additional buildings of 4,500SF and 12.9KSF, which could be used by other retail tenants, such as restaurants, hair salons, dry cleaners or other stores.

The existing Fry’s Food and Drug store location as 22nd Street and Harrison will be closed and sold. The new operation is being touted as the first of its kind in the Tucson area and will offer amenities such as a sushi bar, an expanded selection of meats and organic produce, an Asian bistro, Starbuck’s and a wine bar. When fully operational, the new location will employ approximately 160 people, roughly 40 more than at a typical Fry’s Food and Drug.

The building design calls for a height of 26-feet with a four-foot parapet. The developer has requested an amendment to the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan, which sets a maximum 20-foot height for non-residential development in the area.

The request cited a 1990 amendment to the plan that allowed heights of 28-35 feet for a development at Broadway Boulevard and Houghton. According to the proposal, standards for non-residential development have changed significantly since the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan was adopted in 1985.

Planning commission staff recommended setting a public hearing for January and will continue to review the proposal.

To date, there have been two neighborhood meetings regarding the project. Commission staff has received three letters of protest and one in support of the project so far. Concerns in the protest letters include the larger than usual size of the development for a neighborhood grocery center, existing vacant retail developments in the area, potential traffic impacts, wildlife and view protection, and potential impact on night sky viewing.

Traffic improvements are currently underway or slated for both Houghton Road and 22nd Street. Houghton will be widened to six lanes, and 22nd will go from two lanes to four, with new bike lanes and sidewalks as part of the improvements. Under the traffic impact study completed as part of the submittal’s preparations, the Fry’s site will have five access points, two on Houghton and three on 22nd.

Brentwood is the project developer and is being represented by The Planning Center. Brentwood expects the re-zoning process to take approximately six months. Company officials said construction schedules are planned to be determined in Q2. Requests for information on architectural and general contracting were not returned by press time.

[Patrick S]

Updates on some upcoming road construction.

http://www.movingoureconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/City-of-Tucson-Presentation.pdf

https://news.azpm.org/p/arizona-news/2015/6/22/66541-construction-coming-to-tucson-interstate-interchanges/https://news.azpm.org/p/arizona-news/2015/6/22/66541-construction-coming-to-tucson-interstate-interchanges/

[combusean]

The building design calls for a height of 26-feet with a four-foot parapet. The developer has requested an amendment to the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan, which sets a maximum 20-foot height for non-residential development in the area.

The request cited a 1990 amendment to the plan that allowed heights of 28-35 feet for a development at Broadway Boulevard and Houghton. According to the proposal, standards for non-residential development have changed significantly since the Houghton East Neighborhood Plan was adopted in 1985.

Planning commission staff recommended setting a public hearing for January and will continue to review the proposal.



Please tell me nobody thinks that's too tall for the area.

[Patrick S]

Please tell me nobody thinks that's too tall for the area.
There's a Q&A at the end of this PDF about a meeting regarding this project (https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/pdsd/plans/PlanAmendments/Houghton_22nd_Street_Neighborhood_Meeting_Information_-_4.1.15.pdf). I read through it last night. If I remember correctly no one brought up the height of this specific building, but did bring up noise, lights, traffic, crime, the proximity to Sahuaro National Park East, and the fact that this is PAD zoning, which allowed for 1 building at the PAD zoned area at Houghton and Golf Links.

[crzyabe]

Fry’s Marketplace to Build Tucson Store (http://azbex.com/frys-to-build-124ksf-tucson-neighborhood-center/)

This sounds exactly like the Fry's Marketplace at Thornydale and Tangerine. It is a huge store with lots of options, but I think it is too big. When my wife and I grocery shop there, we joke about the extended trek across the store just to buy one item.

When the store first opened, it sold cheap furniture on one side of the store. Not surprisingly, that did not do well. Now, that section sells cheap clothing. The store has somewhat of a Walmart feel to it. I am not a fan. To me, it is an artifact of 10 years ago - A giant big box store that is trying to sell cheap versions of everything and groceries.

[kmiller5]

One West Broadway got started yesterday. Also looks like they are finally moving dirt at the AC Marriot

[crzyabe]

One West Broadway got started yesterday. Also looks like they are finally moving dirt at the AC Marriot

I also noticed they cleaned up the bottom story of the old Indian Trading post. Possibly getting ready for work in that building as well.

[Patrick S]

I noticed a construction company trailer and some work on the land next to the Walmart at the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges today where the new theatre is supposed to be built.

[Thirsty]

From the Star:
Marana exits sweeping river restoration plan (http://tucson.com/news/local/marana-exits-sweeping-river-restoration-plan/article_be4b8fe7-aed9-561a-993f-24eb7ffb874f.html)

Local governments are cutting their losses on a beleaguered plan to revitalize an 18-mile stretch of the Santa Cruz River.

[Ted Lyons]

I noticed a construction company trailer and some work on the land next to the Walmart at the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges today where the new theatre is supposed to be built.

Noticed that as well. Looks like they're pretty far along with grading.

[cdsuofa]

TIBO is back http://tiboaz.biz

[Ted Lyons]

Charro Steak to open downtown next year

http://tucson.com/business/charro-steak-to-open-downtown-next-year/article_d93a9867-fef9-55b0-8304-cb4177d7efa3.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct

Pretty quick turnaround on the Barrio space.

[cdsuofa]

Kolb Rd to Sabino Canyon rd connection started construction. Awesome news for east siders like me lol
http://tiboaz.biz/2015/12/19/kolb-rd-to-sabino-canyon-connection-begins-construction-finally/

[Patrick S]

I figured once they announced the theatre that restaurants would start going in to the area, and this seems to indicate that. This update from September 30th of this year shows there may be a Dave & Busters going in at the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges. (http://www.landadvisors.com/pdf/AZ-Pima-127983.pdf)
Just checked out the link. Any mention of a Dave and Buster's is gone. That being said, they are clearly starting to work on the site for the theatre. I would imagine that a restaurant - or two - wouldn't be far behind. People want dinner and a movie for their dates, and they want better than McD's. I'd imagine some kind of sit-down restaurant would be opened in the near future in the Marketplace.

[Thirsty]

While ticket sales are slow for the first year bowl with bottom of the barrel competition, hotel reservations have exceeded expectation. Starr Pass has no holiday season vacancies for the first time ever.

The Star's article on the expected $25 million economic impact and some associated events including a free block party downtown. (http://tucson.com/business/local/article_35e0ba86-59b5-52b6-b02b-a916d2e6a192.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&id=201408)

[kaneui]

In spite of the defeat of the bond proposal that would have funded the Jan. 8 Memorial at Presidio Park, the non-profit in charge wants to break ground in 2016, with anticipated help from the county and various donors to cover the project cost of $4M:

http://tucson.com/news/local/jan-memorial-hopes-to-break-ground-next-year/article_fc8a3333-0b22-561b-8f17-eacdb2516cba.html


Also, the Catholic diocese made an announcement on Thursday's Buckmaster show regarding a possible $37M redevelopment of the "Cathedral Square" block downtown, including restoration of the crumbling Marist College as a community center for low-income seniors, 75 low-income senior apartments, a new 4-story office building/conference center, and the restoration of a small chapel on Ochoa St.:

http://www.buckmastershow.com/2015/12/17/buckmaster-show-12172015-are-mortgage-rates-headed-up/ (start at 18:00 for the six-minute discussion)

[Patrick S]

Was driving through the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges today and noticed, not only is there construction going on at the site of the new theatre, but there were trucks and earth moving equipment north of the main drive (Tucson Marketplace Drive, I think) linking Walmart and Costco and west of Bridges Drive - looks like on the site plan it's where housing was slated to go in. Not sure what's going on, but they were certainly working on something.

[Ted Lyons]

Was driving through the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges today and noticed, not only is there construction going on at the site of the new theatre, but there were trucks and earth moving equipment north of the main drive (Tucson Marketplace Drive, I think) linking Walmart and Costco and west of Bridges Drive - looks like on the site plan it's where housing was slated to go in. Not sure what's going on, but they were certainly working on something.

A development package was submitted yesterday for a subdivision. The address on PRO is 1002 E. 36th.

[Patrick S]

A development package was submitted yesterday for a subdivision. The address on PRO is 1002 E. 36th.
That's good news. This just adds to the housing being built, which really seems to have accelerated in the past year. Here's the link to this plan - https://www.tucsonaz.gov/PRO/Command?command=SearchSire&Permit_Number=DP15-0224&doc_type=Plans&doc_id=3660936&calledFromJsp=SireFolderDisplay&SearchButton=View+Files

Park Modern (Tyndall and Blacklidge - 3016 N. Tyndall) - https://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/enpomfe3afxddsvcjvgcxtxe/730251012082015072707939.PDF

The Vistas at Rincon Knolls (10495 S. Millicent Trail) - https://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/enpomfe3afxddsvcjvgcxtxe/733565312082015074110434.PDF

Desert Willow Annexation District - https://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/enpomfe3afxddsvcjvgcxtxe/733568312082015074458686.PDF - https://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cache/2/enpomfe3afxddsvcjvgcxtxe/733568412082015074703121.PDF

Southwest corner of Houghton and Escalante - multiple units already finished, more under construction.

Northeast corner of Escalante and Prudence has a sign up stating housing coming in 2016.

Housing currently in construction on the former site of Wrightstown Elementary School.

Willow Vista in Marana (Cortero Rd.) - http://perryengineering.net/willow-vista-subdivision-in-marana/

I-10 and Wilmot - https://techparks.arizona.edu/new-tucson-housing-community-gets-first-homebuilder

[farmerk]

Was driving through the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges today and noticed, not only is there construction going on at the site of the new theatre, but there were trucks and earth moving equipment north of the main drive (Tucson Marketplace Drive, I think) linking Walmart and Costco and west of Bridges Drive - looks like on the site plan it's where housing was slated to go in. Not sure what's going on, but they were certainly working on something.

Yes, I did drove by that area. Hopefully, they would post some renderings of that theater and houses soon. I wouldn't mind living in Tucson's 3rd downtown. Who knows they might build 5 - 10 floor mixed used building(s) in the near future. :hmmm: There's enough room :fingerscrossed:

EDIT: Personally, I wouldn't build any houses at the Marketplace. It's a waste of space.

[ComplotDesigner]

Driving around last Saturday took a couple pictures.

One West Broadway - 12/26/15

http://i.imgur.com/ilVenk7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/N9Fx2iH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/P6hKJjT.jpg

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

HUB II - 12/26/15

http://i.imgur.com/lA4uiLr.jpg

[Patrick S]

UA seeks private partner to develop south-side tech park (http://tucson.com/business/local/ua-seeks-private-partner-to-develop-south-side-tech-park/article_fed0e986-992e-5397-87c9-99db74247847.html)

The University of Arizona is looking for a new development partner to help it build a $40 million office building at its nascent tech park at Kino Parkway and East 36th Street, after Pima County voters rejected a bond that would have paid for half the building.

The UA’s latest master plan for the UA Tech Park at The Bridges, including the planned Innovation and Technology Building, was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents on Nov. 16.

The UA says the planned multistory 120,000- to 180,000-square foot office and lab building is needed to attract tech-oriented companies and would initially become the home for Tech Launch Arizona, the schools’ technology commercialization arm, and related programs.

But as originally proposed, Pima County would have paid for $20 million of the new building’s cost through bond funding, with the UA ponying up the other half with its own bond funding.

The county bond issue that included the Innovation Building funds, along with other bonds that together totaled nearly $800 million, was soundly defeated by voters in November.

With the county’s bond plans now up in the air, the UA is looking for a private development partner, said Bruce Wright, UA associate vice president for Tech Parks Arizona.

“We’re looking at different funding options for the building, and we’re talking to some private developers now,” Wright said, adding that the UA also is meeting with two organizations that help universities finance development projects.

UA WILL GAUGE INTEREST FROM DEVELOPERS

The UA plans to issue a “request for interest” on the Innovation Building project sometime in January or early February. Based on the response, the university could issue a formal request for development proposals later this year.

While the county would have split the development costs under the bond proposal, private developers may have different needs, Wright said.

“Different private developers and groups are going to require a different threshold as to what will kick-start the building,” Wright said.

Wright said he’s a strong proponent of Pima County bringing the economic-development bonds back to voters, contending that the potential economic stimulus from the projects — especially the building at The Bridges — would be very beneficial to the local economy.

“It really is foundational. It will provide some basic infrastructure that will help attract and grow high-tech companies in the local regions, so I hope it would be a candidate if there’s any decision to move forward with another bond,” Wright said.

“In the meantime, we’re going to go out and see if we can find alternative funding sources and see if we can keep the building moving forward.”

David Allen, UA vice president of Tech Launch Arizona, said development proposed at The Bridges is a potential “game-changer” that will provide office and lab space just a few miles from the UA campus, while providing a visible presence for Tech Launch Arizona.

Tech Launch currently houses a core staff of 31 people in the former Tucson Electric Power Co. headquarters building on West Sixth Street, which was built in 1967.

“We think it will be a high-profile location,” Allen said of the site at The Bridges, noting that Kino Parkway is a major route to Tucson International Airport. “My view is, this becomes the physical manifestation of Tech Launch Arizona.”

“By being in a spot where people are going by every day or coming and going to the airport, I think it’s going to be a growth pull, an attraction,” he said. “We want to have a lot of vibe there, the presence of creative energy there.”

3 DEVELOPMENT “PRECINCTS” PLANNED

The Innovation Building is already part of a plan B for The Bridges, which was originally planned as a multiple-use office, retail and housing development oriented toward the biosciences, called the Arizona Bioscience Park or the Bio Park.

The UA won a $4.7 million federal grant that paid for site infrastructure, and retail spaces were built out with a Costco and a Walmart Supercenter. But land slated for office and lab buildings remain empty and a planned housing development hasn’t yet materialized.

In 2014, the UA broadened the property’s focus from the biosciences to technology and renamed it UA Tech Park-The Bridges.

Besides Tech Launch Arizona, the proposed Innovation Building would initially house a workforce development center, possibly in partnership with Pima Community College or the Joint Technical Education District, and a branch of the Arizona Center for Innovation, a high-tech business incubator at the UA Tech Park on South Rita Road.

Under the master plan, the 65-acre site at The Bridges would be divided into three development “precincts.” The southernmost precinct would be home to the Innovation and Technology Building, an adjacent hotel and conference center, commercial office and laboratory buildings and parking.


A second precinct immediately to the north is earmarked for commercial office and laboratory facilities, including multi-tenant and single-tenant buildings, while the northernmost zone is slated for UA uses including potential office, classroom and laboratory space.

Wright said he still thinks The Bridges site can be attractive to bioscience firms, citing the area’s proximity to the UA and noting that several interested firms have been turned away for lack of ready office and lab space.

He said he isn’t dissuaded by the lagging commercial real-estate market in Tucson, where the office vacancy rate in mid-2015 was estimated at 13 to 20 percent, depending on various industry sources, compared with about 16 percent for the U.S. overall.

“We’ve done a lot of market analysis; we’ve met with a lot of technology companies over the last two or three years,” Wright said. “The kind of space that would be available in the Innovation and Technology Building is not really available in Tucson.”

OFFICE MARKET IS WEAK

Mike Hammond, president and CEO of the commercial real-estate brokerage Cushman Wakefield/Picor, said the office market in Tucson looks weak right now.

But Hammond — whose firm handles leasing for the UA at the Tech Park on Rita Road — said much of Tucson’s office space consists of older buildings that are functionally obsolete, and there are always prospective tenants who want the aesthetics and technology of a new building.

The chance to align with a major university can be a major draw, said Hammond, who says he’s a minor investor in Arizona State University’s SkySong, a tech-oriented mixed-use development in south Scottsdale. Built with ASU as the anchor tenant, the 1.2-million-square-foot project began in 2008 and is now in the last of an initial four-phase development plan, featuring Class A commercial office space, ASU’s SkySong business incubator and apartments.

“The image of being associated with the UA is strong — I’ve seen it with SkySong,” Hammond said.

Meanwhile, the UA is trying to drive new development at the UA Tech Park on South Rita Road, a former IBM manufacturing plant acquired by the university in 1994. That park is mostly leased, with tenants including IBM, Raytheon, Citi and OptumRx.

A master-plan update for the Tech Park, also approved by the Board of Regents in November, includes a focus on new development on parcels northwest of the existing park.

By late January or early February, Wright said, the UA plans to put out a request for interest and qualifications to develop the Village at the Tech Park, planned as a mix of hotel, residential and retail properties.

[farmerk]

"...But Hammond — whose firm handles leasing for the UA at the Tech Park on Rita Road — said much of Tucson’s office space consists of older buildings that are functionally obsolete, and there are always prospective tenants who want the aesthetics and technology of a new building..."

I like what I'm hearing.

[Ted Lyons]

A liquor license application was filed on 12/28 for a Dave & Buster's at The Bridges.

http://www.azliquor.gov/query/results_PendinglicenseNumber.cfm?licensenumber=06100098&mystatus=pending

[farmerk]

Stuff about downtown development from Bud Foster, KOLD. (http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/30868033/downtown-resurgence-shows-no-sign-of-slowing-in-coming-year)

[Patrick S]

A liquor license application was filed on 12/28 for a Dave & Buster's at The Bridges.

http://www.azliquor.gov/query/results_PendinglicenseNumber.cfm?licensenumber=06100098&mystatus=pending
Interesting. I wonder why mention of them was removed from the original link I shared from the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges promotional package. I just checked it again and no mention of it is on there still, though it had previously been on there. No mention of this on D & B's website either.

[cdsuofa]

A summary of the Pima County Economic Development Plan...lots of pics lol http://tiboaz.biz/2016/01/04/the-pima-county-economic-development-plan-for-the-future-of-tucson/

[Patrick S]

Dave & Buster's moving into south-side shopping center (http://tucson.com/entertainment/dining/dave-buster-s-moving-into-south-side-shopping-center/article_2cfde9e0-b58c-11e5-8a83-1b523a1e5420.html)

The bar and video arcade chain Dave & Buster's will open its first Tucson location inside a south-side shopping center in 2016, confirmed City Councilman Richard Fimbres. The chain recently filed an application for a liquor license in the 1400 block of East Tucson Marketplace Boulevard, inside the Tucson Marketplace at the Bridges shopping center near Interstate 10 and South Kino Parkway.

Fimbres said the building will be located just east of the 14-screen Cinemark Theatres, which is expected to open over the summer. The Dave & Buster's building will be about 30,00 square feet and will employ about 50 people, Fimbres said.

The quickly developing shopping center will also soon host a Starbucks, which is going into a parcel north of the Costco anchor. A Verizon Wireless and a Chinese buffet called Lin’s Grand Buffet are also expected to open.

"It's the continued Renaissance of the south side," Fimbres said. "(The center is) about five minutes away from downtown, so that's gonna be great. It's a hop skip and a jump."

The Marketplace at the Bridges is a 350-acre property currently being developed by three separate entities: Scottsdale-based Genesis Tucson South, New York-based Eastbourne Investments and Boise-based Retail West Properties.

[cdsuofa]

I guess The 22nd Street View event hall/gem vendors project will not carry on in its proposed form and it will be at least 3 years before the new proposal could begin construction. http://tiboaz.biz/2016/01/12/62nd-tucson-gem-and-mineral-show-back-for-another-year-project-update/

[Ted Lyons]

I guess The 22nd Street View event hall/gem vendors project will not carry on in its proposed form and it will be at least 3 years before the new proposal could begin construction. http://tiboaz.biz/2016/01/12/62nd-tucson-gem-and-mineral-show-back-for-another-year-project-update/

I'm predicting this project never happens. Seemed like an odd concept for permanent use of that property from the get-go.

[cdsuofa]

I'm predicting this project never happens. Seemed like an odd concept for permanent use of that property from the get-go.
Have to agree it just doesn't seem feasible to make a permanent structure to basically compete with resorts, Norville's project(if it happens) and the TCC.

[farmerk]

More news about downtown (http://www.kvoa.com/story/30960757/multiple-residential-buildings-to-be-constructed-soon-in-downtown-tucson) - Nearly 20 different projects, with more than 1,300 total apartment-style and some single-family housing units, are expected to be under construction downtown by the end of the year.

[kaneui]

More news about downtown (http://www.kvoa.com/story/30960757/multiple-residential-buildings-to-be-constructed-soon-in-downtown-tucson) - Nearly 20 different projects, with more than 1,300 total apartment-style and some single-family housing units, are expected to be under construction downtown by the end of the year.


Even including 100 units for the Block 175 project and 200 units for the Stone & Broadway tower, I only count about 1,225 potential downtown housing units, so Michael Keith may know of some other proposals. However, many of the announced projects are in the early stages and won't break ground until 2017 or later. Here's my summary of what we can expect this year for downtown:

Completions
El Rio CHC Admin. Campus addition (3 stories, spring completion)
Arizona Hotel renovation/adaptive re-use (mixed-use, 16 apartments; summer completion)

Ongoing Construction
One West Broadway (6 stories, 40 apartments; mid-2017 completion)
AC Hotel by Marriott (8 stories, 136 rooms; late 2017 completion)

Expected Starts
Stone Ave. Homes (25 three-story townhouses; Jan. - Sep. construction)
Menlo Park Rowhouses (9 units, early 2016 start?)
City Park (6 stories, mixed-use, 39 apartments; possible March, 2016 start)
Monier Apartments (4 stories, mixed-use, 128 units; mid-2016 start?)
Downtown Links - Phase III (summer, 2016 start)
Mercado San Agustín Annex ($4.1M for retail, performance venue; mid-2016 start?)
January 8 Memorial at El Presidio Park (construction start by year-end if fundraising successful)

Preliminary Phase
Arena Site (mixed-use, 140 hotel rooms, 96 apartments; Nor-Gen to submit development plan by April 1; Rio Nuevo to relocate Greyhound Bus terminal to new site)
Ronstadt Transit Center Joint Development (mixed-use, 128 hotel rooms, 274 housing units; development agreement finalized by mid-2016, construction start in 2017)
TCC renovations - Phase II ($10M of improvements by Rio Nuevo pending COP agreement with city of Tucson)
Cathedral Square redevelopment (mixed-use, 75 senior housing units; development plan to be submitted in early 2016)
The West Abbey (4 stories, 128 apartments; needs financing)
West End Station (four stories, 94 apartments; needs financing)
Block 175 development (mixed-use with housing component; Phase II of RFP continuing)
Stone & Broadway tower (mixed-use with hotel rooms, apartments, condos; developer assessing project feasibility)


(As we've noted before, don't hold your breath with local developers meeting any groundbreaking timelines, as there are often numerous delays.)

[InTheBurbs]

Even estimating 100 units for the Block 175 project and 200 units for the Stone & Broadway tower, I still only count approximately 1,225 potential downtown housing units, so Michael Keith may have knowledge of a few more proposals. Although many of these projects are still in a preliminary phase, here's my update of what we can expect this year for the downtown:
....
(As we've noted before, don't hold your breath with local developers meeting these timelines until they actually break ground.)

The good news is most are private, market rate units. And no student housing. So even if half get off the ground in the next year or so, that's a respectable increase in residential downtown.

And did I hear somewhere that City Park was going to be increased to 7 stories?

Not downtown, but this looks like some decent infill: Smart-home-development-going-up-at-park-and-blacklidge (http://tucson.com/business/local/smart-home-development-going-up-at-park-and-blacklidge/article_4f8a5f98-1d48-5996-97a9-538d330b2ebe.html)

[Patrick S]

Space exploration company to expand near Tucson airport, add 400 workers (http://tucson.com/business/local/space-exploration-company-to-expand-near-tucson-airport-add-workers/article_ee79d6e8-baef-11e5-9c98-1f5d44e5f418.html)

Tucson-based space exploration company World View Enterprises, plans to move to 28-acre property south of Tucson International Airport, Pima County announced today.

The company, which manufactures helium-filled balloons that carry manned capsules to near space, plans to move into the new facility that includes room for a launch site, a memo from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry says.

The facility would eventually employ as many as 400 people at an average salary of more than $55,000 annually, under terms of an economic incentive agreement up for Board of Supervisors approval at the Tuesday at its Jan. 19.

The agreement would have the county fund initial construction of a 120,000-square foot headquarters and light-manufacturing facility up to $14.5 million. World View would repay the county’s investment over 20 years through annual lease payments.

Over the course of the agreement the company would pay $23.6 million in annual lease payments.

The agreement provides World View the option to purchase the facility after ten years.

The location of the proposed new facility stands at the intersection of the newly realigned Aerospace Parkway and Hughes Access Road.

[Patrick S]

Big-box retailers eye Tucson's core (http://tucson.com/business/local/big-box-retailers-eye-tucson-s-core/article_372360b4-39e3-573c-a08b-0cc9de2fe0a4.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

This should be a good year for wrecking balls.

Retail brokers say demolitions will be key to luring big retailers into Tucson’s core in 2016.

Deals were inked for nearly 1 million square feet of big-box space in the Tucson market last year. More than half was new construction.

The largest building under construction is the 100,000-square-foot Fry’s Food & Drug store on West Valencia Road near Midvale Park Road, data from the 2015 year-end Big Box Retail Report shows. Big box is defined as a retail space larger than 10,000 square feet.

At the end of 2015, there were 49 big boxes available compared to 54 at the end of 2014. Last year saw more deals for new construction of big shops, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nordstrom Rack, both in the Wilmot Plaza at Wilmot Road and East Broadway.

Two Walmart Neighborhood Markets will be constructed, at North First Avenue and East Fort Lowell (where the mostly vacant Amphi Plaza will be razed to make way for it) and at West Ajo Way and South Mission Road.

A second Tucson Hobby Lobby will also be constructed, this one on North Oracle Road, with a specific spot still being negotiated.

New to the market in 2016 is Beall’s Outlet, which will open two locations this year. In the Tucson Place, at East Wetmore Road and North First Avenue, it will occupy the space formerly used by Summit Hut; and in the Marana Marketplace at West Orange Grove and North Thornydale roads, it will go into the former Staples space, said Andy Seleznov, director of leasing for Larsen-Baker, developer of both shopping centers.

“It is great to have a new retailer identify Tucson for their expansion,” he said. “If these stores are successful, I would anticipate that they would want to open at least one more store on the east side of town.”

On the south end of town, Chuze Fitness is constructing a 16,000-square-foot gym at Santa Cruz Village, at West Ajo Way and South 16th Avenue, Seleznov said.

“Other big boxes are in negotiations to expand into the southwest trade area along Interstate 19,” he said.

Nancy McClure, first vice president of CBRE Brokerage Services in Tucson, who compiled the big box report, said the momentum that has started will continue if old buildings give way.

“We are trending toward an uptick, especially with build-to-suit because Tucson doesn’t have the quality space that retailers want,” she said.

During a recent tour of Tucson with national retailers and brokers, one person commented, “Tucson is under-demolished,” McClure said.

“In the core of town, to bring new buildings out of the ground will mean old-format, tired properties will be demolished to make way for updated prototypes,” she said. “It will require local government and adjacent neighborhoods to embrace change and allow for progress.”

Pat Darcy, head of the retail division for Tucson Realty & Trust, concurred.

New construction, such as the building of a movie theater and Dave & Buster’s restaurant in Tucson Marketplace at The Bridges, near South Park Avenue and Interstate 10, will be complemented with demolitions and repurposing of vacant buildings.

The former McMahon’s Steakhouse at 2959 N. Swan Road, for example, will become office space and the former Golden Corral restaurant, on Wetmore Road at First Avenue, will be retrofitted to accommodate two retailers, Darcy said.

“Urban infill is the answer,” he said. “These aren’t historic buildings; they’re old, nonfunctioning buildings that aren’t energy-efficient. They are obsolete.”

[Ted Lyons]

Looks like crane parts are being delivered to the AC site.

Also, this sort of investment in underused/outdated properties is promising: https://realestatedaily-news.com/downtown-tucson-ground-lease-sells-for-2-13-million/

[Thirsty]

Looks like crane parts are being delivered to the AC site.

Also, this sort of investment in underused/outdated properties is promising: https://realestatedaily-news.com/downtown-tucson-ground-lease-sells-for-2-13-million/

The Scarface building! Always hated that thing. Feels so.... South Florida 80s TV show.

[farmerk]

Colorful downtown icon may become apartment complex (http://tucson.com/business/local/colorful-downtown-icon-may-become-apartment-complex/article_a2a0dc77-9561-54a1-9c5b-eeb758659216.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

La Placita may be razed.

If the apartments get built, they will be among a new cluster of units. Across the street from La Placita, developers are planning a 7-story complex with 75 units for senior housing at the site of the Bishop Moreno Pastor Center, 111 S. Church Ave. Another eight senior apartments are planned at Marist College.

HSL officials continue to believe that the highest and best use for the property (Hotel Arizona) is indeed a hotel, other options for the space include a large grocer or movie theater.

[Ted Lyons]

Pigs will fly before HSL pays for the hotel to be demolished. I'm excited at the prospect of La Placita being redeveloped but, again, I'm doubtful of it happening due to HSL's involvement.

On the other hand, the Diocese development looks promising.

http://i.imgur.com/X9TrQfE.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/HQibNEm.jpg?1

[ComplotDesigner]

Blake's Lotaburger - 012416

http://i.imgur.com/hfjFu0l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2XiUBWJ.jpg

The HUB at Tucson II - 012416

http://i.imgur.com/1cjCcbg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1cpz7ws.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/o6OHzpK.jpg

One West Broadway - 012416

http://i.imgur.com/sp3nRTy.jpg

[mgs11]

You guys are going to love Blake's. Sooo good!

[Ted Lyons]

No renderings yet, but nine townhomes are being developed on the empty lot just south of the Downtown Clifton on Stone.

http://i.imgur.com/PCEy9d7.png?1

http://i.imgur.com/ydwkKg9.jpg?1

[southtucsonboy77]

Reflections...

1) Thank you for passing along TIBO...love that website.

2) I'm extremely excited about the Marist on Cathedral Square. I love the architecture/design of the building and how it re-purposes a parcel in a denser way.

3) In addition to the Marist, the architecture of One West Broadway, Main Gate Residence Inn, and even City Park (although the open windows concern me) is something I'm looking forward to. I'm holding my opinion on the AC Hotel by Marriot until it is built...and the Ronstadt Center I'm guessing will get more refinement as time passes on.

4) The term apartment "complex" scares me in regards to the re-purposing of La Placita. I've also heard apartment "towers" which is more suitable and appropriate for downtown.

5) Lastly, with all the residential moving at a fast pace east of Granada...I wonder how this will affect the Norville development and west downtown proposals...???

[cdsuofa]

Reflections...

4) The term apartment "complex" scares me in regards to the re-purposing of La Placita. I've also heard apartment "towers" which is more suitable and appropriate for downtown.


That is exactly what I thought. I can picture them rolling out plans for like a 3 story, multiple building, typical apartment complex. I am really worried about what they are going to put there. HSL scares me ahahah. I hope it is at least a mid rise with street level retail at the very least.. I mean it is such a large property with so many possibilities.

[farmerk]

To stay downtown, diocese will restore Tucson's Cathedral Square (http://tucson.com/news/local/to-stay-downtown-diocese-will-restore-tucson-s-cathedral-square/article_78b088d2-4d1d-5d7d-b40e-39680e2f2096.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/4f/54f02880-60a5-599b-bb2d-8d2a78ad45cf/56abee80240b8.image.jpg?resize=620%2C380

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/a8/2a87703e-658d-571c-aeea-c5f4bcf2e0c0/56abee8049fd2.image.jpg?resize=620%2C380


'4) The term apartment "complex" scares me in regards to the re-purposing of La Placita. I've also heard apartment "towers" which is more suitable and appropriate for downtown. '

If that does happen, I hope the City Council rejects that classical cheap grade cookie cutter apartment complex design. We have enough of those in Tucson.

[Patrick S]

Rio Nuevo buying vacant lot to build new Greyhound station (http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rio-nuevo-buying-vacant-lot-to-build-new-greyhound-station/article_7f0e8a87-6d73-507f-8849-cb9876a56cfd.html)

Rio Nuevo is buying a vacant lot near East Broadway and South Euclid Avenue to build a new bus terminal for Greyhound.

The 1-acre site cost $575,000. It’s located at 801 E. 12th St., behind the OfficeMax complex.

Greyhound wanted to be near Interstate 10, and the site puts them on the alignment for Downtown Links, a project that will allow buses to get to I-10 without going through downtown traffic.

It’s was Greyhound’s top choice of 12 sites Rio Nuevo showed the company’s representatives, said Rio Nuevo chairman Fletcher McCusker. It’s also close to the University of Arizona, and the majority of people who board a Greyhound bus in Tucson are college students, he said.

The property is in escrow. On Tuesday the Rio Nuevo board in a series of votes authorized an appraisal, a survey and an environmental inspection.

Rio Nuevo’s total budget is $1.7 million, including construction of a 1,500-square-foot terminal that would be open later this year. Rio Nuevo will start accepting proposals for the work.

Rio Nuevo will own the site and lease it to Greyhound.

The building will be state of the art, board member Edmund Marquez said. “It’s going to be beautiful — a huge upgrade to the trailer they’re in now.”

Greyhound has been in a portable building near Broadway and I-10 in downtown Tucson since 2006, when the city relocated the terminal from a site on Congress Street next to the Rialto Theatre to make way for student apartments. It had been at the Congress Street site since 1969.

Greyhound believed the relocation was to be temporary and thought the city was legally obligated to build a new terminal, McCusker said.

Meanwhile, Rio Nuevo was trying to sell its part of the property — known as the arena site — where the temporary building sat for a new hotel and exhibition hall development.

“The risk of that property ending up in litigation was very high and it would have derailed” the hotel project, McCusker said.

Rio Nuevo took over from the city as the landlord for Greyhound at the temporary site last year and negotiated the new location. It also sold the land to Nor-Generations developer Allan Norville, who already owned the adjacent 10 acres, for $5.6 million.

“By stepping into the city’s shoes, we eliminated the threat of litigation. We also now have a very valuable asset owned by the district and we have a Fortune 500 tenant,” McCusker said. “We enable the Greyhound to have a new terminal and we enable the arena lot project to go forward.”

Under the agreement, the city is still obligated to pay relocation costs, estimated at less than $50,000, and the city had set aside Greyhound’s rent payments to pay for the move.

[aznate27]

Rio Nuevo buying vacant lot to build new Greyhound station (http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rio-nuevo-buying-vacant-lot-to-build-new-greyhound-station/article_7f0e8a87-6d73-507f-8849-cb9876a56cfd.html)

Rio Nuevo is buying a vacant lot near East Broadway and South Euclid Avenue to build a new bus terminal for Greyhound.

The 1-acre site cost $575,000. It’s located at 801 E. 12th St., behind the OfficeMax complex.

I like the new location, although I'm surprised they didn't look for something closer to the freeway. It will give some life to that corner, with Office Max and Del Taco, it's a bit sad at the moment.

[Ted Lyons]

I like the new location, although I'm surprised they didn't look for something closer to the freeway. It will give some life to that corner, with Office Max and Del Taco, it's a bit sad at the moment.

I think it'll be totally fine with Downtown Links and, like the article states, students are the #1 Greyhound users here so proximity to campus is good. In the event we ever have discussions about extending light rail down Broadway, it'll also serve as additional reason to do so.

[farmerk]

The building will be state of the art, board member Edmund Marquez said. “It’s going to be beautiful — a huge upgrade to the trailer they’re in now.”

Can't wait to see the renderings of this state of the art building. There's a bus route at Broadway closer to that new Greyhound location. Hopefully, more developments would follow around that area. Probably a coffee shop. Right now, there's only a Del Taco and Office Max, that would help feed students and buy school supplies.

Btw, I like this rendering.
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/4f/54f02880-60a5-599b-bb2d-8d2a78ad45cf/56abee80240b8.image.jpg?resize=620%2C380

I drove by Campbell Ave between Prince and Grant, the trees planted in the middle lane has this slow down (traffic) and calm effect on me. Maybe, Tucson should plant trees in the middle lanes at our major streets. It may reduce road rage plus it creates this urban feel. Let's leave the cactus in the surrounding deserts and create an oasis with trees within Tucson.

[Azstar]

The budget is about $1M. That's not a lot for new commercial construction, but it will be a lot better than a vacant lot at that location, and 100X better than the old bus terminal that was located between Congress and Broadway. This is a preliminary rendering.

http://tiboaz.biz/wp-content/uploads//photo-gallery/greyhoundstation.jpg

[Patrick S]

The budget is about $1M. That's not a lot for new commercial construction, but it will be a lot better than a vacant lot at that location, and 100X better than the old bus terminal that was located between Congress and Broadway. This is a preliminary rendering.

http://tiboaz.biz/wp-content/uploads//photo-gallery/greyhoundstation.jpg
I was thinking the same thing about the budget. After paying for the purchase of land there's only about a million dollars left. Not a lot of money. Even if the budget is in addition to land price, that's still not much money to build.

[Patrick S]

Rio Nuevo plan seeks to buy out city, develop 14 acres downtown (http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rio-nuevo-plan-seeks-to-buy-out-city-develop-acres/article_bd2149b6-c3a7-5764-9880-d7f967bfb664.html)

Rio Nuevo wants to buy out the city’s stake in an agreement to develop 14 acres on the west side of downtown.

Rio Nuevo, a special taxing district whose purpose is to develop downtown Tucson, proposes to pay the city about $1.2 million.

That’s the amount the city would receive if it decided developer Gadsden Co. has defaulted on a performance bond tied to the agreement.

Gadsden has been trying to develop the property since 2008, when the company agreed to buy and develop the land in phases. But many of its plans fell through in the recession, and last year the company lost out on low-income housing tax credits it said it needed to develop housing on the site. The city gave the developer several extensions.

Gadsden has done a lot in difficult economic times, Rio Nuevo board chairman Fletcher McCusker said.

Rio Nuevo is also investing $2.2 million in Gadsden’s expansion of the Mercado San Agustín, a Mexican-style plaza with a central courtyard, shops and restaurants in the Menlo Park neighborhood.

The company has a lender and a strong tenant demand for retail space, “which we’re very interested in supporting,” McCusker said.

“Yes, we’re trying to move this project along,” McCusker told the board Tuesday. “Are we trying to bail out friends of ours? No, no, emphatically no.”

If the city agrees to Rio Nuevo’s proposal, Rio Nuevo would take ownership of the property and sign a new development agreement with the developer. Under the new agreement, Gadsden would be obligated “unforgivingly” to meet deadlines or face financial penalties or foreclosure, McCusker said.

Rio Nuevo would lease the property to Gadsden and receive sales tax revenue from the new retail stores.

The Tucson City Council, Rio Nuevo board, their attorneys and the bond underwriters all would have to agree to the proposal for Rio Nuevo to acquire the city’s position in the development agreement.

McCusker said the proposal would move forward a development that has repeatedly stalled.


“If we don’t engage, the chances of that property remaining dormant last long beyond the lifetime of this board,” he said at a board meeting this week.

If the city were to call the bonds, the city would get its money, but the developer likely would be put out of business, McCusker said.

Right now “the city is in an untenable position,” McCusker said.

Councilwoman Regina Romero, a strong proponent of developing downtown’s west side, said it’s a win if Rio Nuevo partners in the development. “I don’t see where we could lose,” she said Thursday.

No one wins when there’s no development on the site, she said, so it would be a bad idea for the city to call the bonds. Rio Nuevo can help bring the housing and commercial projects to reality, and can build claw-backs into its agreement with Gadsden in case things go wrong.

Last summer, Mayor Jonathan Rothschild told the Star he wanted the city to take action, either by calling the bonds or coming up with a different solution. On Thursday, he said he wants to see the details of the Rio Nuevo proposal — including whether the city would be fully compensated — before deciding whether this is the right approach.

[Ted Lyons]

I've heard that, with Rio Nuevo's financing, Gadsden is looking to begin construction on the Mercado Annex and the Monier Apartments by summer, so let's hope the city agrees to this.

[kaneui]

Rio Nuevo has been trying for several months to finalize an agreement to help finance Gadsden's Mercado San Agustin Annex, but negotiations with the city have dragged out unnecessarily, so their plan to buy out the city's position should get things moving. (Steve Kozachik has been suggesting for quite awhile that the city pull the plug on their deal with Gadsden and call in the performance bonds, but he hasn't had the support of other council members.)

Given their past history, I'm not too confident in Gadsden's ability to secure financing on their own, but now that Rio Nuevo has some cash to play with, they could be the key to getting the Mission District built out, especially with all the apparent demand for more housing downtown.

[southtucsonboy77]

Any news on the Block 175 Development?

[kaneui]

Any news on the Block 175 Development?

No official announcements yet, although IDA is apparently in Phase II negotiations with one of the teams that responded to the RFP issued last summer.

[farmerk]

Rio Nuevo plan seeks to buy out city, develop 14 acres downtown (http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rio-nuevo-plan-seeks-to-buy-out-city-develop-acres/article_bd2149b6-c3a7-5764-9880-d7f967bfb664.html)
.......

Gadsden has been trying to develop the property since 2008, when the company agreed to buy and develop the land in phases. But many of its plans fell through in the recession, and last year the company lost out on low-income housing tax credits it said it needed to develop housing on the site. The city gave the developer several extensions.

Gadsden has done a lot in difficult economic times, Rio Nuevo board chairman Fletcher McCusker said.

....

If the city agrees to Rio Nuevo’s proposal, Rio Nuevo would take ownership of the property and sign a new development agreement with the developer. Under the new agreement, Gadsden would be obligated “unforgivingly” to meet deadlines or face financial penalties or foreclosure, McCusker said.



The best way to develop this piece of property is to pull the plug on Gadsden and to find more developers. I like their renderings but they just need to go. They don't have any interest in building the rest of it. I believe they have been developing that area way before 2008 ... 2006 (when easy credit was available).

[InTheBurbs]

Tucson to get direct flights to Guaymas (http://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-to-get-direct-flights-to-guaymas/article_23d1a196-c408-585a-a891-365ae09ea202.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

From today's Arizona Daily Star...

Eight years after losing our last international flight, direct air service between Tucson and Guaymas, Sonora, will begin by summer.

The governors of Arizona and Sonora, along with the mayors of Tucson and Guaymas, are set to announce the new air service later this month.

A domestic airline will fly a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 jet four times a week between Tucson and Guaymas, as well as Phoenix and Guaymas. The flight will originate in Phoenix and fly to Guaymas, then from Guaymas to Tucson and back and then leave Guaymas and terminate in Phoenix.

The 55-minute flights will land at the Guaymas airport, where shuttles, taxis and rental cars will be available, said Ernesto Bojorquez, finance director for the Guaymas airport.

San Carlos, which last year garnered the top spot in National Geographic’s top 10 list of ocean views, is only 15 minutes away.

The article also says that there are other new flights between Arizona and Mexico in the works.

[Thirsty]

Tucson to get direct flights to Guaymas (http://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-to-get-direct-flights-to-guaymas/article_23d1a196-c408-585a-a891-365ae09ea202.html#utm_source=tucson&utm_campaign=most-popular-tabs-2&utm_medium=direct)

From today's Arizona Daily Star...



The article also says that there are other new flights between Arizona and Mexico in the works.

The article mentioned more flights, but didn't specify they're coming to Tucson. I imagine when these two regional Mexican airlines take their first step into Arizona, it will be Sky Harbor.


Also mentioned a price goal of $400 for a Round Trip, $200 each way... not bad at all considering neither is a major hub. Very cool news!

[ComplotDesigner]

Sorry about the sun glare.

The HUB at Tucson II - 022116

http://i.imgur.com/H0Op3ww.jpg

Chaffin's Diner - 022116

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