I hope you can attend Tree Fest at Reid Park tomorrow where we will celebrate with Tucson Clean & Beautiful and the Arizona Community Tree Council the important work that we are doing together to plant more trees, create more shade, and help make Tucson a more climate resilient City. There will be exhibit tables, food trucks and lots of family activities.
Tuesday, March 19th is Election Day for the Presidential Preference Election in Pima County. I always make sure to vote in every election that I am eligible for, and I hope that you do, too!
It is too late to mail your ballot. You must drop it off in person on Election Day or vote in person at any of the Pima County Vote Centers below. I have included a link to them below. Vote Centers will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
If you have any election-related questions, you can contact the Pima County Recorder’s Office at (520) 724-4350 or visit their website at www.recorder.pima.gov.
Zemam's Ethiopian Cuisine on Broadway is Expanding!
By: Genesis Cubillas
Policy Advisor
Located within the evolving landscape of Tucson's Sunshine Mile, Zemam's Ethiopian Cuisine stands as proof to the power of community, innovation, and the embracing spirit of a city. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Lucas Gebremariam, the manager of Zemam's, to discuss the restaurant's recent expansion and its bright future on Broadway.
Left: Zemam’s location on Broadway is opening in April 2024! Right: Zemam’s Speedway location where I spent my Valentine’s Day!
Celebrating their 30th anniversary in December, Zemam's has grown from a cozy restaurant with just six tables to a venue that can accommodate 200 patrons, complete with a bar and café.
Gebremariam shared that the transformation was largely made possible by the opportunities and support provided by the Sunshine Mile's development initiatives. "Without the opportunities presented by the developments of the Sunshine Mile, we would have not even known how to go about an expansion," he shares. "It was easier to navigate the process, and now, we are reaping the fruits of our labor."
He envisions Broadway, and specifically the Sunshine Mile, as a destination place—a new social space where the Tucson community and beyond can gather for unique experiences. He shared that for Tucsonans who want to try a dining experience outside of Downtown and 4th Avenue, Zemam's aims to offer something new and different.
Other small businesses considering Broadway as their home might feel inspired by Zemam’s vision and potential. "This will also spark interest for other small businesses. Broadway is a prime location," Gebremariam adds.
At the heart of this expansion is the desire to bring something fresh and exciting to Tucson.
Zemam's plans to raise the bar by showcasing international sports such as soccer (they’ll be supporting Arsenal!), rugby, and Formula 1, filling a gap in the local sports scene.
Reflecting on the building’s expansion journey, Founder Amanuel Gebremariam extends his gratitude to the City of Tucson and the community that has supported them throughout the years. Amanuel, who works tirelessly from 6 am to 6 pm daily said, “Thank you to the City of Tucson; no one else could give you this opportunity, especially as a refugee.”
My dog, Maty (and Valentine's Day date) who wanted to go check out Zemam's Speedway location!
It's clear that Zemam's is not just a business but a labor of love—a commitment to their community.
Zemam's grand opening on Broadway is scheduled for April, we are so excited for this new chapter for both the restaurant and the Sunshine Mile. As Zemam's prepares to welcome guests, it stands as a symbol of growth, resilience, and the endless possibilities that emerge when a community comes together to support and celebrate its diversity of cultures and experiences.
How regulatory changes helped bring the Zemam’s expansion to life!
By: Manisha Bewtra
Planning, Mobility, and Development Advisor
Zemam’s used flexible development conditions allowed through the Sunshine Mile District “zoning overlay” adopted in 2021.
The Sunshine Mile District, located along Broadway Boulevard from Euclid Avenue to Country Club Road, is intended to:
Enhance the character of the Sunshine Mile by encouraging unique, high quality design
Promote sustainable infill development that supports the creation of urban pedestrian and transit-oriented neighborhoods
Support a more diverse mix of uses along the corridor to promote economic revitalization, and
Encourage preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings
In order to take advantage of flexible development conditions, developments in the Sunshine Mile District must meet requirements for:
Design that makes it easier, more appealing, and more accessible to walk
Environmental design including landscaping that features native, drought-resistant plants
Architectural elements to create visual interest along the corridor
Open spaces where people can gather or rest
Zemam’s project included remodeling their existing restaurant and redeveloping the properties to the west for expansion of the restaurant and for a coffee shop, with indoor and outdoor seating for both the restaurant and coffee shop. They used the Sunshine Mile District zoning overlay regulations, which allowed them to:
Reduce the parking they were required to provide from 45 spaces to 32 spaces
Place buildings closer to the street to promote walkability and add visual appeal along Broadway, and
Provide more sustainable landscaping design
Changemaker Small Business Grants
Mayor Romero celebrating the power of local businesses with the inaugural recipients of the Changemaker Grants. Photo credit: Manny Ruiz Photography.
Last week, I joined City of Tucson Industrial Development Authority CEO Dre Thompson and City of Tucson Small Business Program Manager, Francisca Villegas and both their teams as we celebrated 60 local businesses who received the first-ever Changemaker Small Business Grants!
We gathered outside during a beautiful evening on the patio of Hotel Congress, another local institution, to celebrate local businesses and the ways we are investing in ourselves.
These year’s winners are:
Barrio Books
Better Than Provisions
Dolce Pastello Cakes
ETANO Center
Flores Landscaping
FreeFall Aerospace
Lara Ruggles Music
Merchant Garden
Mr. Nature’s Music Garden
Rocio’s Hair Salon
Exo Roast Co
Tanzillo Construction
Templo Fitness
Dr. Jamal Fruster
Spark Business Solutions
4 Da Hood LLC
Delta Productions
Frank Powers
Luna y Sol Cafe
Touch the Earth TV
Barrio Restoration
D&D Accounting Services
EstradaOrNada Motors
Originate Natural Building Materials
Savage Mechanical Design
Tuller Trophy and Awards
Desert Pearl Mushrooms
Gabe’s Spotless Cleaning Services
Leon Handyman Services
Movement Culture
Rachel Wilson
Tanzillo Construction
Tucson Big Frog
Dogs of Tucson
Casa Madre Restaurant
Eco Lizard Company
Guirado’s Auto
Palette Well-Being
Xoco Tucson
Adriana Hill Salon & Co.
Amazing Discoveries
Cactus Clouds Art
Clever Stitches
Coctelería La Palma
Creative Machines Inc.
Frozen Delight
Julie Originals
Luna y Sol Cafe
Midtown Vegan Deli and Market
Next Level Marketing & Media
Pet Grooming Mi Mundo
Rose Metal Works
Screwbean Brewing
The Water Report
Sonoran Rosie
Sora Head Spa
Sunshine Wine
Wooden Tooth Records
Y Las Tortillas?
Development of Regenerative Yields Cooperative
Cycling Moon Cafe
Danny’s Downtown Barbershop
Desert Biscuit Company
Don Nguyen Knives
Small businesses are so important to our local economy, and they are just as important to the people who pour into them their ideas, skills and creativity. In Tucson, we know that startups owned by women and minority owned businesses are leading the way! These businesses have also experienced historic barriers to accessing capital and it’s important that we support them.
As part of our partnership with the Tucson IDA, the City of Tucson also invested in the creation of the AVANZA Revolving Loan fund and the Changemaker Grants. Through the Changemaker Grants the Tucson IDA is helping entrepreneurs and small businesses with seed funding, to upskill their workforce and help them scale, and even provide help for local content creators.
This is another way that the City of Tucson is partnering with our startup ecosystem to help businesses grow, thrive, and most importantly—get access to the capital they need. That has always been the missing piece!
Mayor Romero celebrating the first cohort of Changemaker Grant recipients with the City of Tucson Industrial Development Authority and City of Tucson Small Business Development Program teams!
BOTTOM ROW from left to right: Tucson IDA CEO Dre Thompson, Tucson IDA Exec. Vice President Nic Dahl, Tucson IDA Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Meyer, Tucson IDA Operations Coordinator Angelique Aubrahm; SECOND ROW: Tucson IDA Financial Empowerment Advisor Liliana Lopez, City of Tucson Business Navigator Narda Flores, Tucson IDA Controller Sara Lippitt, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, City of Tucson Small Business Program Manager Francisca Villegas and Business Navigator Gisselle Coronado. TOP ROW: Business Navigator, Flor Burruel. Photo credit: Manny Ruiz Photography.
Mayor Romero congratulating one of the 60 Changemaker Grant recipients! A 2022 report from University of Arizona Eller college of management report shows that women-owned business account for almost 45% of sole proprietorships in Tucson. Photo credit: Manny Ruiz Photography.
As part of our public-private partnership the City of Tucson IDA and City of Tucson Small Business Program co-located the work of the Tucson IDA and our small business program navigators at the AVANZA Empowerment Center (376 S. Stone).
There, entrepreneurs who are working on a business idea, and established business owners can get help through wraparound services like one-on-one coaching and workshops in English and Spanish, offered by our Small Business Navigators.
As part of our partnership with the Tucson IDA, the City of Tucson also invested in the creation of the AVANZA Revolving Loan fund and the Changemaker Grants. Through the Changemaker grants the Tucson IDA is helping entrepreneurs and small businesses with seed funding, to upskill their workforce and help them scale, and even provide help for local content creators.
This is another way that the City of Tucson is partnering with our startup ecosystem to help businesses grow, thrive, and most importantly—get access to the capital they need. That has always been the missing piece!
The Tucson Festival of Books took place this weekend at the University of Arizona. The festival is a celebration of community and one of my favorite events of the spring! In addition to amazing books and authors, there are also lots of activities for families and great exhibits in places like Science City where you can learn about science, geology, and even explore the wonders of our National Parks.
I was there at the Festival on Friday to celebrate the amazing work of organizers, volunteers and all of the people who make this event possible. At the Author’s Dinner I got to attend with a group of brilliant women leaders and even got to sit with author Erin Adams, author of the Black Horror novel, “Jackal”.
Here at the Mayor’s Office, we are all avid readers and members of my team were also out and about at the Festival of Books enjoying the festival and even moderating author panels. Hope to see you next year!
Community Spotlight: Goodwill Tour
By: Eryck Garcia Community Engagement Advisor
Feliz Viernes!
This past Tuesday, I joined Mayor Romero, Community Safety, Health & Wellness (CSHW) Director Sarah Launius and CSHW Community Enrichment Coordinator, Isaac Durgin at the Southern Arizona Goodwill Headquarters on Silverlake Rd.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent a good amount of time walking the aisles and thrifting at one of the 15 Goodwill retail stores here in Tucson. “It’s a family affair for me too!” mentioned Mayor Romero to our hosts.
Goodwill Southern Arizonadoes more than providing us with fun and affordable thrifting. For more than 20-years, they have been a local partner to the City of Tucson and dozens of other local organizations, providing free services for adult and youth in need of professional skills and training.
Goodwill Southern Arizona’s mission is to help individuals find long-term and life changing employment. 90 cents of every dollar invested to Goodwill Southern Arizona goes back to social programs that provide jobs, training and services to individuals with barriers to employment.
Thank you to Lance Meeks, Liz Gulick, Erich Schmidt, and Jessica Brooks for inviting me and City of Tucson Community Safety, Health & Wellness Director, Sarah Launius and Isaac Durgin from her staff.
This past year, their Career Centers and Metro Youth Centers hosted over 15,000 visits thanks to their six programs for both youth and adults, and four job connection and youth centers. Goodwill youth centers provide a safe space for young people to pursue their goals in education, employment, and overall well-being.
The centers also offer tutoring, academic resources (GED or Online HS), case management, bereavement support, peer support, and one-on-one support networks, among other services.
The Goodwill Southern Arizona’s Opportunity Youth Center offers education and workforce development services for out-of-school and/or unemployed youth ages 12-24. Their programs equip young Tucsonans with the skills and support to thrive in the job market, succeed academically, and contribute positively to our local economy.
Goodwill’s efforts in Southern Arizona also include reentry services for both youth and adults. Their reentry staff works diligently to offer individuals with past involvement in the justice system a bridge back into gainful employment and stability.
We got the chance to meet some of the staff and employees—many of whom had previously received training and service learning from the Tucson locations. The energy and enthusiasm from the staff was contagious! There was a refreshing and motivating vibe throughout the building. The ambient noise from tutoring conversations, job application calls, and youth trainees had the place buzzing.
Many familiar faces came to greet us and say hello to Isaac Durgin. Isaac, Oscar Medina, and Naomi Lee fromCSHWwork regularly with the Goodwill Southern Arizona staff referring foster youth, students, unsheltered folks, and adults to receive access to training, transportation support and other resources to help them meet their career and educational goals.
Goodwill Southern Arizona also contributes tremendously to help us achieve ourZero Waste Climate Action goals.Since 2020, the City of Tucson partnered with Goodwill Southern Arizona, Pima County, Tucson Clean & Beautiful, and Mrs. Green’s World to create the Bi-Annual Tucson Zero Waste Collection Drives in the Fall and Spring. These drives provide Tucsonans with free services to safely and responsibly dispose of their household goods. At the most recent fall drive, the Goodwill team collected over three tons of donations. Each year Goodwill Southern Arizona diverts 37 million pounds from local landfills. Millions of gallons of water are also conserved each year.
Did you know: It takes 1,800 gallons of water to make one pair of jeans?! Buying and donating clothes from Southern Arizona Goodwill helps slow the cycle of waste and conserve water.
Thanks again to Lance Meeks, Liz Gulick, Erich Schmidt, and Jessica Brooks for inviting the Mayor and I to tour the Goodwill Headquarters and giving us a tour of all the great things Goodwill Southern Arizona is doing.
Know someone that would benefit from these services? Contact Goodwill Southern Arizona’s:
Youth Opportunity office at (520) 382–1425
Homeless Youth Outreach at (520) 404–6988
Academic services at (520) 308–8654
Young Adult Reentry Program at (520) 628–1883
