Tucson Development Thread

[acatalanb]

Originally Posted by Thirsty

Chicago Store... unfulfilled potential. How many years since that truck crashed into its storefront? Five? Six? Don't they have insurance?

That truck should have crashed it all the way and burned every inch of that building (with no human deaths and injuries , of course ). The building probably had insurance and maybe,the owners kept the insurance $$$ and used the little insurance left to 'rebuild' it.

I agree with you with regards to adobe's having much more worth than those ranch houses. The non-adobe houses in Armory Park aren't that bad either. I wished those big corporate home builders like KB Home would be more sympathetic to the locations where their homes are built.

[acatalanb]

UA picks 2 firms for downtown housing

Becky Pallack Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Saturday, April 16, 2011 12:00 am




Plans for new student-apartment projects downtown were officially announced on Friday.

The University of Arizona is pursuing two public-private partnerships that would have around 1,000 students living on Fourth Avenue along the proposed streetcar line to open for the fall semester in 2013.

The private partners are local firm Peach Properties and Birmingham, Ala.-based Capstone Development Corp., which is working with Tucson developer Jim Campbell.

New student housing is much needed, UA President Robert Shelton said in the announcement with city officials, neighborhood representatives and university leaders.

The UA can't afford to build more dorms on campus. Instead, it will affiliate with the new projects through marketing and referrals.

"They're here on campus as freshmen, and when the time comes to think about 'where am I going to live next year,' we'll refer them to these projects," said Bob Smith, a UA planning official.

The UA's goal is to house all freshmen in dorms on campus, because research shows that has a positive impact on their academic performance, Smith said.

When the two new dorms under construction on Sixth Street open in the fall, the UA will be close to meeting that goal, he added. The UA will have about 7,500 beds on campus.

The streetcar is an important part of the UA's downtown expansion. Officials on Friday described students and faculty getting to and from the main campus to the downtown branch in a matter of minutes without driving and parking.

The streetcar line will tie together Tucson's "centers of energy," Mayor Bob Walkup said.

The influx of students to the downtown area will spur economic recovery through investment and jobs, Walkup said.

The new projects also relieve pressure from UA-area neighborhoods, which have been fighting so-called mini-dorm developments, city councilman Steve Kozachik said.

However, some owners of other student housing near campus are concerned about these new projects, as well as projects moving ahead without university affiliation, saying there isn't enough demand.

About 3,000 new beds will be opening up for students in the next two years, and without enough customers, the openings will lower occupancy rates for all student housing, said Dick DeNezza, owner of College Place, 1602 N. Oracle Road. His student-housing complex was fully occupied with more than 200 students at the start of this school year.

A UA study found demand for student housing in the university area exceeds supply by 2,500 to 5,000 beds.

Capstone Development Corp. and Jim Campbell
• Where: The former Greyhound property, next to the Rialto Theatre on East Congress Street and Fourth Avenue, and another site across Congress next to the railroad tracks
• Beds: 720, divided between two buildings
• Commercial space: 24,000 to 33,000 square feet

Peach Properties
• Where: On East Broadway between South Fourth and South Herbert avenues
• Beds: 320
• Commercial space: 18,000 square feet

Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@azstarnet.com or 807-8012.

Original posting

[acatalanb]

These renderings scare me. I was hoping this area would have a curved edge with a statue of a cowgirl or native american woman on top. Tucson could have a 'drop the ball' New Year's eve celebration in this building. Sad. UA where's your design input?

Something like this would be nice. Not Beaux-Arts but something modern, unique.

[ComplotDesigner]

Interesting, at least we know something is going to happen on those lots.

[atbg8654]

I dont see too much wrong with the design by just looking at this one rendering... How many stories will it be, looks like 10ish

[acatalanb]

Originally Posted by atbg8654

I dont see too much wrong with the design by just looking at this one rendering... How many stories will it be, looks like 10ish

It's 11 stories for the building to be built at the Rialto Theater parking lot. The other building across it at 4th Ave/Hebert (left side of the photo..not shown), I don't know.

Yes, it's hard to critique this building with one rendering. That's why I thought it is scary (or unpredictable) pending what it will actually look like.

I believe that the Armory Park Apts for the elderly at E 12th St/5th Ave will also be torn down to make way for another apartment (probably another student housing). This is the building that is swapped for the new housing project that will be built for the elderly on the west side.

[kaneui]

Originally Posted by acatalanb

It's 11 stories for the building to be built at the Rialto Theater parking lot. The other building across it at 4th Ave/Hebert (left side of the photo..not shown), I don't know.

Yes, it's hard to critique this building with one rendering. That's why I thought it is scary (or unpredictable) pending what it will actually look like.

The article on the DTP website says the tower next to the Rialto will be 11 stories, and the other two will be 7 stories each (apartments above 3-4 levels of parking). In any case, some solid mid-rise density with street-level retail to cover those dusty, vacant lots. Indeed, the east end of downtown will be transformed with the massing of these buildings, expected to have more beds than the two large UofA dorm complexes nearing completion on 6th St.

The render for the new tower matches the design of the mixed-use building currently under construction across the street--all part of Plaza Centro. Luckily, the streetcar tracks are already in place in front of these three adjacent projects, so it shouldn't conflict with their building schedule. The Rialto, Club Congress, and other nearby businesses must be peeing their pants over this announcement--1,200 new residents to be living within a block or two of their establishments by fall, 2013, just as the streetcar line is finished.

http://www.downtowntucson.org/news/?p=3199

[combusean]

I sort of worry about the streetcar capacity, especially with the new dorms and it running right through the UofA campus. The route is *really* good. Only in that aspect is the route ideally suited for light rail, but I seriously doubt Tucson could have mustered two to three times the cost and time to build it, especially with new ROW acquisitions.

That being said, capacity should be able to be managed with regular service and ad-hoc improvements like closing streetcar lanes to regular traffic.

Speedway is such an unbelievably good route for a future extension and a good impetus for a rehab of the street. It's so wide and straight you could do the engineering work blind. Make the rightmost lanes streetcar/right turn only, and put a few barriers to shunt traffic about. Sidewalks, shade, and a heap more of traffic & HAWK lights would transform the whole thing into one of America's finest urban boulevards. Compare the urban benefits of that to the cross-town freeway I hear bandied about too often.

[kaneui]

Tucson's streetcar is designed for more frequent stops at slower speeds, compared to Phoenix's light rail, which is more of a rapid transit system. (The streetcar will have 18 stops for its 4-mile length, whereas Valley Metro has about 28 stops along 20 miles.) Autos will also be sharing lanes with the streetcar, however, which could be problematic during rush hour.

The beauty of Tucson's starter route is that there will pretty much be everything one might need within walking distance of the planned stops, including educational institutions, hospital/medical facilities, retail, restaurants, government/civic buildings, nightlife, and housing. If all the TOD housing for UofA gets built, I'm guessing it will be a hit with students from Day One, especially with planned service every 20 minutes from 6 am - 2 am daily.

Regarding future extensions, I suspect the preferred route will be down Broadway, since it already has significant commercial development on the east side (Williams Centre, etc.), and additional sales tax revenues from the resulting TOD would be returned to Rio Nuevo coffers, since the street is part of the TIF district all the way out to Park Place mall. But with the ongoing budgetary cutbacks at all levels of government, any future extensions are probably dead for the foreseeable future. And of course, the window to consider building a cross-town freeway was closed decades ago, as the right-of-way land costs have become prohibitive.

[bleunick]

Originally Posted by kaneui

Tucson's streetcar is designed for more frequent stops at slower speeds, compared to Phoenix's light rail, which is more of a rapid transit system. (The streetcar will have 18 stops for its 4-mile length, whereas Valley Metro has about 28 stops along 20 miles.) Autos will also be sharing lanes with the streetcar, however, which could be problematic during rush hour.

The beauty of Tucson's starter route is that there will pretty much be everything one might need within walking distance of the planned stops, including educational institutions, hospital/medical facilities, retail, restaurants, government/civic buildings, nightlife, and housing. If all the TOD housing for UofA gets built, I'm guessing it will be a hit with students from Day One, especially with planned service every 20 minutes from 6 am - 2 am daily.

Regarding future extensions, I suspect the preferred route will be down Broadway, since it already has significant commercial development on the east side (Williams Centre, etc.), and additional sales tax revenues from the resulting TOD would be returned to Rio Nuevo coffers, since the street is part of the TIF district all the way out to Park Place mall. But with the ongoing budgetary cutbacks at all levels of government, any future extensions are probably dead for the foreseeable future. And of course, the window to consider building a cross-town freeway was closed decades ago, as the right-of-way land costs have become prohibitive.

you're right about Broadway being the next probable extension of the streetcar... As much as I would like to see Speedway get some much needed development, Broadway already has the Williams Center, the improving El con mall/thing(?), Reid Park, and the college on Broadway and Rosemont. Plus i've heard that the city has already looked into a possible route all the way to Park Place Mall on Wilmot.

Although i agree with Broadway being the next best extension for the streetcar, I really think there needs to be some sort of route continuing north on Campbell from the medical center to all the restaurants and boutique shops north of Grant...

[acatalanb]

I just remembered there's also the apartment that will be built besides MLK apts. So that would add up to at least 8 cranes for construction downtown...Stunning, considering the currently tepid real estate market.

...buildings under construction or likely to be constructed
1. West side elderly housing
2. City/County courthouse
3. Plaza Centro at 4th Ave. district
4. Plaza Centro by Rialto
5. Peachtree Apts by 4th Ave/Herbert
6. Old Armory Park Apts 12st/5th ave
7. TEP building
8. Apts by MLK/One Fifth North
.... likely to be built ....
9. some building at the old Bourne condo 'Post' vacant lot
10. some building at Coach st across El Charro
...I'm sure I'm missing something

The COT needs to update their site with all these new construction. Of course, there's also that large biotech park on the south side (besides the new Costco)

[Thirsty]

Originally Posted by kaneui

I'm guessing it will be a hit with students from Day One, especially with planned service every 20 minutes from 6 am - 2 am daily.

So the trolley will be limited to marginally better than bus status?

THIS is a reason to be pessimistic. This is what I was talking about when I said I fear this project I'm 100% in favor of will be done half-fast (say it ten times quick)

UA currently runs shuttles with scheduled pick-ups ever 15 minutes (the Trolley will fall flat on its face if it can't beat the CatTran ridership numbers). The very popular Light Rail passing through ASU comes every 10. Tucson Trolley... no sooner than every 20 minutes (during rush hour, lets say every 35) Students with early morning classes my have to leave home 40-50 minute before class. If you think this is reasonable... you don't know college students.

I'm not saying it won't be popular; I'm just frustrated at the wide chasm between what could be and what we'll end up with. Too often big-ticket public projects are crippled from the beginning.

If Arizonans built a submarine we would omit torpedo tubes to save money on maintenance.

[Anqrew]

Sonoran Institute to Move to Downtown Tucson

The Sonoran Institute plans to relocate its headquarters from the East side to downtown Tucson. Working with Fletcher McCusker and Providence Service Corporation, the Institute plans to renovate the third floor of the former Federal Court House Annex at 44 E. Broadway Blvd. to use as its new Westwide headquarters.

“Moving our offices to downtown Tucson celebrates the core mission of our organization, which promotes Main Street and urban revitalization as vital conservation objectives,” said Luther Propst, executive director of the Institute. “This move also makes financial sense for the organization, since it will allow us to consolidate office space and improve the efficiency of our operations as we prepare for future growth.”

The relocation will involve moving about 20 full-time employees to the downtown office. Founded in 1990, the Sonoran Institute is a leading Westwide conservation organization that has staff and offices in Phoenix; Bozeman, Montana; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; and, Sheridan, Wyoming. The Institute employs 45 employees and has an annual budget of about $5.3 million.

Propst indicated that the precise date of the move has not yet been determined, but will likely be in March or April 2011. “Our employees are very excited about the downtown move since it reduces commute times for most, and opens up new public transportation options for our staff and visitors.”

“This is a win-win for the Institute and for the downtown community,” said Denny Minano, vice chair of the Sonoran Institute Board of Directors and a board member of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO). “The Institute is pursuing a sustainable approach to their move by re-using an existing office space, and downtown Tucson gains another vibrant organization as part of its community.”

“I am delighted to play a role in enticing the Sonoran Institute to join the downtown Tucson business community,” said Fletcher McCusker, president and CEO of Providence Service Corporation. “The nonprofit Sonoran Institute adds new diversity to the growing number of businesses opting to move to the city center.” McCusker is also a member of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

The Sonoran Institute inspires and enables community decisions and public policies that respect the land and people of western North America. The Institute is a nonprofit organization that is working to shape the future of the West.


http://www.sonoraninstitute.org/abou...tucson-az.html

[atbg8654]

Originally Posted by Thirsty

So the trolley will be limited to marginally better than bus status?

THIS is a reason to be pessimistic. This is what I was talking about when I said I fear this project I'm 100% in favor of will be done half-fast (say it ten times quick)

UA currently runs shuttles with scheduled pick-ups ever 15 minutes (the Trolley will fall flat on its face if it can't beat the CatTran ridership numbers). The very popular Light Rail passing through ASU comes every 10. Tucson Trolley... no sooner than every 20 minutes (during rush hour, lets say every 35) Students with early morning classes my have to leave home 40-50 minute before class. If you think this is reasonable... you don't know college students.

I'm not saying it won't be popular; I'm just frustrated at the wide chasm between what could be and what we'll end up with. Too often big-ticket public projects are crippled from the beginning.

If Arizonans built a submarine we would omit torpedo tubes to save money on maintenance.

I think the streetcar time is very reasonable. All the shuttles from student housing to campus service about every 30 minutes to an hour, and UA's Cat Tran runs about every 20 minutes. Students already leave home even longer than 40-50 minutes prior to class. Also, many urbanite students using public transit are I'm sure the type whom are willing to sacrifice some time if it means getting a cheap ride.

So in comparison to what exists for students at UA, the streetcar should be just as timely, if not, more.

[Qwijib0]

Originally Posted by atbg8654

I think the streetcar time is very reasonable. All the shuttles from student housing to campus service about every 30 minutes to an hour, and UA's Cat Tran runs about every 20 minutes. Students already leave home even longer than 40-50 minutes prior to class. Also, many urbanite students using public transit are I'm sure the type whom are willing to sacrifice some time if it means getting a cheap ride.

So in comparison to what exists for students at UA, the streetcar should be just as timely, if not, more.

I'm holding out hope that north park and university between park and euclid just get closed to cars. That's going to be the major car traffic jam on the route, and it'd make a fantastic pedestrian plaza. With tyndall to the south and the new building+garage in the space between marshall and the mariott to the north there's no need to leave it open to traffic and parking anymore.

[Anqrew]

the new Buffalo Exchange at 250 E. Congress is opening on April 23, i hope it will be a success and pave the way for more retail coming downtown... personally I think something like the Apple Store would be awesome, it'd be such a large magnet for people and the one at La Encantada is so far for many people and is always really crowded. More clothing stores would be great too, they're building an H&M at Park Place and that would make it Tucsons 2nd location, wish they would have chosen downtown instead.

I wonder what the tenants for the TEP building and/or Plaza Centro will be... any guesses or hopes? my biggest one is mostly Apple

[ComplotDesigner]

Quick phone pic I took from the newest Costco in town

[Ritarancher]

How do we fix downtown?
Simple
Build the FULL AND BIG Rainbow Bridge
A NFL Stadium With a giant parking garage
Light up A Mountain. Kinda like the Hollywood sigh but multi colored
More modern buildings
A large high rise 400 feet or taller for every stubby tower built
and more parking garages

[Ritarancher]

Originally Posted by ComplotDesigner

Quick phone pic I took from the newest Costco in town

The Costco is PACKED but closer than other costcos
cant wait until other stores open there

[acatalanb]

If the new Costco in the southside is packed (that area is void of a large retail store), a mini-walmart downtown opened 24/7 will be the answer for the critical mass of pedestrians needed to pull downtown out of it's anti-business image and slow progress. It would provide more revenues needed for the city and Rio Nuevo TIF. I know there will be a Walmart at the El Con Mall but an extra MINI-Walmart downtown would lure more investors to build non-student/elderly housing. The Walmart should be a complement to the local stores downtown not an impediment to their business. There's always a chance a downtown Walmart visitor might 'walk around' downtown maybe to eat at the local restaurants or visit a Buffalo Exchange for bargains.

I emailed the mayor about this few months ago, hopefully he got the message. He has nothing to loose since he is not running for re-election thus no bullying from the 'special interest' or NIMBY's.

My repost of an article about big box retailer's new trend moving in downtowns .

Mini-target in downtown Portland

Apple store downtown? ... excellent! Office depot? H&M? Gap? why not. The more choices the better.