This is a busy time for our city government and for the state legislature. At the Council Meeting this week, we began to talk about the City of Tucson budget. You can find information about the City of Tucson Budget here. In addition to the City Manager Michael Ortega and Chief Financial Officer Anna Rosenberry presenting information about the budget and how it is being constructed for each council meeting over the next few months, there will be an online survey released as well as an opportunity to hear directly from city staff and complete the survey in person at events that will be held across the city of the next weeks. You are also welcome to come to our call to the audience to share your thoughts in person or by submitting comments in writing to the City Clerk.
In fact, at every Mayor and Council meeting, 30 minutes is dedicated to Call to the Audience. You can participate in Call to the Audience by completing a speaker’s card and dropping it in the tray on the podium. When your name is called, you state your name and address and whether or not you are a paid speaker, then you have three minutes to share your thoughts.
If you want to provide your thoughts about a bill at the Arizona State Legislature, you must create an account using the Request to Speak system in Phoenix at the State Legislature kiosk. After you create an account there, you can access it remotely to register your comments about individual bills. You can find more information out about how to do this at Request to Speak AZ Legislature.
All the bills that are going to be submitted by our State Legislators have been turned in. Now, bills, if they are going to be heard, are assigned to committees. Each City Council meeting, there is an update about the bills at the State Legislature that Mayor and Council are taking positions on.
I hope everyone finds a way to engage in sharing their opinions and priorities with us during budgeting season.
On Tuesday, Tucson Water Director John Kmiec provided the Mayor and Council with a comprehensive quarterly update on the ongoing and upcoming PFAS management initiatives, as part of the City's unyielding commitment to monitoring our water sources for PFAS contamination. Since our last PFAS update in November, Tucson Water has tirelessly collaborated with federal and state departments, advocating fervently for the treatment and safety of our water.
Remarkable achievements have ensued, including:
Hosting the distinguished EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Radhika Fox, to unveil an impressive $33 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This substantial investment is earmarked to bolster Tucson Water’s Northwest Wellhead Treatment Facility, a testament to our city's proactive stance against PFAS contamination.
Securing crucial financial assistance from the State of Arizona for the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project, fortifying our resolve to preserve the integrity of our water resources.
We are happy to share the encouraging news that between October 1 and December 31, 2023, Tucson Water collected and meticulously tested 331 water samples for PFAS. The results affirm that the potable water served by Tucson Water during the past quarter met stringent safety standards. As we move forward, Mayor and Council remain steadfast in their commitment to working with our Congressional delegation, ensuring the availability of federal and state funds to support our ongoing efforts in aquifer cleanup.
Furthermore, this past Tuesday the City also received a significant update from the Department of Defense, who announced that both Davis-Monthan AFB and Morris ANG facilities have been listed among 30 national facilities identified as eligible to expedite investigations and remediation of PFAS issues. This incredible news underscores the critical importance of the urgency to safeguard our community against the pervasive threat of groundwater contamination and holding the responsible parties accountable.
As we eagerly anticipate further developments, I extend my gratitude to Tucson Water Director, John Kmiec, and the dedicated Tucson Water staff for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the cleanliness and safety of our water supply. Additionally, I extend my appreciation to the Biden-Harris administration, our Congressional Delegation, as well as EPA and ADEQ for their invaluable support, enabling our city to layer investments effectively to protect our water supply for generations to come.
Heat Summit 2024
Heat resilience is my top priority as we move forward with the implementation of our climate action plan, Tucson Resilient Together.
I want to express my gratitude to Fatima Luna, City of Tucson Heat Resilience Officer, for her hard work in bringing together all the community groups and stakeholders involved in crafting our climate action plan. They continue to be engaged in keeping Tucson safe and building heat resilience.
The City of Tucson's Chief Resilience Officer collaborated with organizations that helped us craft the Climate Action Plan, fostering ongoing dialogue with stakeholders that include members of our community. Their presence reflects a shared commitment to addressing the challenges posed by rising heat in our region. There are engagement opportunities in our community all the time, as demonstrated by the electric vehicle road map and the climate action plan. We will continue to engage constituents to provide Tucsonans with the most effective climate policies. Heat is one of the worst hazards associated with climate change, and we must prepare for it.
The stakeholders in attendance embarked a diverse set of government offices, City departments, community organizations, and local environmental groups. Elvira Suarez, Director of Community Engagement for District 5 Chairwoman Adelita Grijalva, expressed the importance of having this Heat Summit, stating: “The Southern Arizona Heat Planning Summit was a great event to learn more about how increasing temperatures are impacting our community and how we can collaborate across jurisdictions and sectors to make a difference in how we manage this reality. It was a really valuable experience covering many aspects to the like equitable tree canopy and city planning, public health, and fair labor practices. Can't wait to continue this collaboration!”
Left: Community participants at the Heat Summit 2024. Right: Ladd Keith, Assistant Professor of Planning and Sustainable Built Environments Faculty Research Associate, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy- Liz Morales, Assistant City Manager City of Tucson- Theresa Cullen, Director of Pima County Health Department- Fatima Luna, Chief Resiliency Officer City of Tucson.
Engagement opportunities are happening in our community all the time, as demonstrated by the Electric Vehicle Road Map and the Climate Action Plan. We will continue to engage constituents to provide Tucsonans with the most effective climate policies. Heat is one of the worst hazards associated with climate change, and we must prepare for it.
The City of Tucson is one of the fastest-warming cities in the nation. Last year, we broke heat records, and unfortunately, scientists believe that heat waves could become even more extreme in the future. Also last year, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency due to heat, highlighting the need to better prepare for extreme heat across our state.
Soon after, my colleagues on the Council and I directed the drafting of a City heat protection ordinance, focusing on heat resilience by updating our practices and infrastructure for our workers. My hope is that this Southern Arizona Heat Summit can inform the statewide Heat Preparedness Plan. We must be able to plan for heat events.
The front line of climate change includes the most vulnerable among us: our children, seniors, low-income communities, communities of color, workers exposed to heat, and the unsheltered. We must mitigate and prepare for resilience, considering the possibility of this becoming the new normal.
I extend my thanks to the University of Arizona, Pima County, and our stakeholders for their assistance in co-creating our Heat Resilience Strategy. At the City of Tucson, we have been implementing heat mitigation and adaptation solutions such as:
Planting trees through my Tucson Million Trees initiative
Successfully competing for federal funding, like our recently awarded $5M Urban Forestry Grant, something I was thrilled to discuss with President Biden last month at the Oval Office
Increasing stormwater infrastructure through our Storm to Shade program
Fully decarbonizing our bus fleet, reducing the heat-trapping gases released in the transportation system
Exploring the creation of resilience hubs in our city
There is still much work to be done, and it will take all of us!
Community participants during a break out session at the Heat Summit 2024.
Adding vibrancy to our city through infill and adaptive reuse
The Food Conspiracy Co-Op on 4th Avenue recently celebrated the grand opening of its new East Entrance on Saturday. Additionally, the rezoning approval for Intelligent Design, located just west of North Mountain Avenue on East Fort Lowell Road at East Navajo Road, exemplifies recent infill development efforts in Tucson.
Before diving deeper into these projects, it's beneficial to clarify a few common planning and development terms: adaptive reuse, infill development, land use, mixed use, and zoning.
Adaptive reuse is a term used when buildings are renovated and repurposed for a different use than what they were originally built for. It is often a great way to preserve historic architecture while updating buildings to be functional and useful for our contemporary needs.
Infill development is development that makes use of previously developed areas. In an urban environment, a lot of places have been previously developed – in our case here in Tucson, they are not “untouched desert.” These places are often already served by utilities infrastructure and roads. Infill development can include adaptive reuse of existing buildings and structures, but it doesn’t always. It can include demolition of existing structures to make way for something new. It can include building on a vacant lot or parking lot. It can include covering more of a site or building taller. Repurposing a vacant lot for a new park could also be considered infill – it’s adding a new amenity and new destination to a neighborhood or district.
When planning for infill development, considering how this new development will fit in among neighboring properties is typically a key part of the process. What does it add? How does it fit in visually? And more.
Accessory dwelling units, which we also call casitas, represent a type of infill development. These are 2nd homes added on properties where there is already a home. They are a way for us to meet our housing needs by building more homes in existing neighborhoods. Casitas add more housing but don’t significantly change the way a neighborhood looks or functions.
Land use is a pretty literal term – how land is used. When we refer to “land use” or sometimes more simply “uses” in the context of planning and building, we mean – is the land used for residential uses, commercial uses such as shopping, restaurants, and office space, industrial uses such as manufacturing, agricultural uses, parks, recreation, or open space uses, or transportation uses? These uses can be separated into different areas or zones, but they can co-exist as well.
Mixed use development is when different uses are combined on a single property, sometimes even in the same building.
Zoning regulations are the local policies that say where different types of land uses are allowed.
Food Conspiracy Co-op
Food Conspiracy Co-op first opened in 1971 and originally occupied one storefront on 4th Avenue, eventually expanding to three storefronts. It’s right across from a Sun Link Streetcar stop in between 6th and 7th Street. This long-time business has weathered many ups and downs and has been an anchor for Historic Fourth Avenue! A few years ago, the Co-op pursued an expansion project to create an expanded and renovated entrance on the east side of the store. The East Entrance Project was recently completed and meets many needs for the Co-op’s customers, employees, and for the broader Tucson community.
The East Entrance Project allowed for expansion of the produce section, and a lot more space to move around! Also, the new parking lot between 3rd Avenue and Hoff includes electric vehicle charging as well as sidewalks and crosswalks for walking to the new entrance safely.
The project extends across Hoff Avenue, the alley behind the Co-op across to 3rd Avenue, with Tucson High School just across the street on 3rd Avenue. The store itself has been expanded and redesigned, so now customers and employees have more space to move around. The expansion has doubled the produce section and features a new hot bar and salad bar as well as additional cash registers. Just outside the new entrance, there’s an outdoor courtyard and community gathering space that includes rainwater harvesting. The project include planting 77 trees and other garden and green space. There’s bicycle parking near the new entrance doors. Additionally, there is new car parking available, designed with accessibility in mind, and electric vehicle charging as well.
The 4th Avenue entrance is still open as well, making the Co-op easy to access whether you’re getting there by walking, using a wheelchair, on the streetcar, on your bike, or driving. These improvements to the Co-op have added to the overall vibrancy of the Fourth Avenue district.
The Co-op expansion is a great example of infill, because it includes repurposing and reinvesting in an already developed area, and in doing so, has added amenities and beauty to the district.
The Food Conspiracy Co-op has been located on 4th Avenue for over 50 years, and has expanded over time. It is right next to a Sun Link Streetcar stop!
The preliminary design plan for the Co-op's East Entrance project from 2020, as shown on the Food Conspiracy Co-op's website.
Intelligent Design
Intelligent Design Solar, Plumbing, and Air is planning an adaptive reuse project at the site of the former Greek Orthodox Church at 1145 East Fort Lowell Road. This is an unusual and exciting project that includes office and warehouse space for Intelligent Design’s business operations, a trade school for training community members in the solar, plumbing, and HVAC industries, as well as community gathering space and space for a nonprofit tenant. The church buildings will be rehabilitated for community gatherings and special events, including continuing the tradition of providing meals to people in need during the holidays. There will also be new construction, including 12,300 square feet of office space and 9,000 square feet of warehouse space.
The rezoning of this site was approved at Tuesday night’s Mayor and Council meeting, which was a necessary step in order to allow this mix of uses and redevelop the site, including the adaptive reuse of the church building. Adding new buildings to this site makes it another example of infill development.
Intelligent Design will be rehabilitating the former Greek Orthodox Church on Fort Lowell for adaptive reuse, as well as building new office and warehouse space for business operations and workforce training on the same site. Photo courtesy of The Planning Center.
The preliminary development plan, provided by The Planning Center, for Intelligent Design’s project, showing landscaping features, new construction, and rehabilitation of existing buildings. This project will serve the community in many ways and bring new life along Fort Lowell Road and the surrounding area! Photo courtesy of The Planning Center.
Black History Month
Photo Credit: J3 Photography
Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations for all of the work that you do to preserve African-American history in Tucson and for working towards the present, and towards Black futures in our community!
Dr. Cheree Meeks, Director at the NAACP Tucson Chapter
Mr. Bob and Beverely Elliot, founders of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Tayvien Williams staff member at the UA African American Student Affairs Center
Dr. Jenna Hatcher, University of Arizona Interim Associate VP for Diversity and Inclusion
Marie Cepher and Barbara Mosley from the Tucson Educational Empowerment for Minorities (TEEM's)
Cierra Conerly- Sims, member Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Tucson Chapter
Mr. Willie Blake, Western Hills community leader
Kevin Woodard, President of the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Coalition
James Christopher, Founder of the Christopher's Black Memorabilia Museum
Ashley LaRussa, founder of Roux Events and Blax Friday
NAACP Tucson Branch African American Museum of Southern Arizona The University of Arizona TEEM - Tucson Educational Empowerment for Minorities
Join us in a flash mob/call to action against gender-based violence towards women and young girls worldwide. Meet us this Sunday, February 11, at the Ward 1 office at 11:30 AM for dance rehearsals in preparation for the main event on February 14.
Pueblo Gardens
I hope everyone has enjoyed the extra bit of rain we’ve received over the past week. As a lifelong Tucsonan, I believe there’s no such thing as too much rain in the desert! I recently had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new solar lights in the Pueblo Gardens neighborhood on Saturday, January 20. I was there alongside my colleague, Manisha Bewtra, Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres and his staff, Lupita Robles, and Mary Kuchar. Also present were Genni Becenti, Governmental Affairs Assistant for Chairman Verlon Jose with the Tohono O’odham Nation, and representatives from the City of Tucson’s Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), Jesse Soto, and Erica Frazelle. This initiative was spearheaded by Cindy Ayala, the dedicated President of the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association. Cindy’s hard work and persistence led to her being awarded a $100,000 grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation, as well as additional assistance from the City Manager’s Office. This is an excellent demonstration of communities empowering themselves to address a neighborhood need and achieving it with the assistance of city services. In this instance, the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association had been advocating for improved lighting in their park and neighborhood. Thanks to the efforts of Cindy and the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and Mobility, this goal was successfully achieved.
A total of 19 solar lights will be added in the neighborhood, with 17 of those lights already installed. It's heartwarming to witness the positive changes brought about by the commitment and hard work of community members like Cindy. It’s also important to recognize the efforts of Jesse Soto, who worked with the Neighborhood Association and Fonroche Lighting of America. An interesting fact about these lights is that they are completely solar-powered, operating without trenches, cables, or electrical connections, thus illuminating the area without emitting additional CO2.
Great news! The City's 311 non-emergency phone line, open 24/7, is now active and connects you to various City of Tucson services, thanks to a navigator system. This initiative, a top priority for Mayor Romero, was funded in part by American Rescue Plan dollars allocated from her office, marking a significant step in aligning the right work with the right hands. The services range from the Department of Transportation and Mobility, Tucson Water, Environmental Services, Housing First, and Community Safety, Health and Wellness, and other non-emergency responders.
Did you know that the Click! Fix! App is available for residents to report issues directly to the Department of Transportation & Mobility, such as potholes, request graffiti cleanup, and contact other departments like Parks and Recreation, and Environmental & General Services.
Pueblo Garden Neighborhood Association, CEO of Fonroche Hocine Benaoum, Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres and his staff, Lupita Robles, and Mary Kuchar. Genni Becenti, Governmental Affairs Assistant for Chairman Verlon Jose with the Tohono O’odham Nation, and representatives from the City of Tucson’s Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), Jesse Soto, and Erica Frazelle.
