Tucson Development News

[Teufel657]

Tucson is an absolutly fabulous town. My parents own a house in Oro Valley, north side of Tucson, even though we barely go to the "downtown" area, there is still plenty of expansion, especially in the north and west.

[willism21]

Something's going on downdown, does anybody know what the deal is there? I've heard theyre tearing down the building next to the Main Library.

p.s. could somebody whip up a rendering of tucson's future skyline?

[deadbull]

There is absoultey "nothing" happening downtown, this has been the case for numerous years since the decline of downtown. Most of the "historic" buildings were torn to pieces for parking lots, ugly brutal slabs of concrete or adorned w/ coverings to make them look useless, or to put up mini skyscrapers that ate up all the pedestrian/business at ground level.

I don't know why the politicians have done nothing, compared to Austin, Tucson is an utter joke.

There is a hideous crime infested public bus terminal that replaced a great brick building (Ronstandt's Hardware).

The old greyhoud bus terminal was recently razed, the old JC Pennys, Jacomes, banker building, & other important areas (in the 80's), including a historic bario that really would work well in today's market.

The art museum is so small that it isn't very visible.

There's a lot of cheap press about the "historic downtown", but its all words, Flagstaff has a more vibrant historic downtown & it is a small city.

They are always complaining about building "tall", a 11 story loft is going to be put up on a dusty patch of parking lot & the neighbors complained. This place is stuck in the 1970's.

Tucson should build tall & wide in the downtown, obviously Phoenix did not learn, sprawl is shooting up.

The transportation is horrendous, cars spew out pollution, no one walks, there is no vibrant "area" to visit, the downtown is like a ghost town after dusk.

Obviously no one has any foresight in the administration at all.

[IRepTucson]

Originally Posted by deadbull

There is absoultey "nothing" happening downtown, this has been the case for numerous years since the decline of downtown. Most of the "historic" buildings were torn to pieces for parking lots, ugly brutal slabs of concrete or adorned w/ coverings to make them look useless, or to put up mini skyscrapers that ate up all the pedestrian/business at ground level.

I don't know why the politicians have done nothing, compared to Austin, Tucson is an utter joke.

There is a hideous crime infested public bus terminal that replaced a great brick building (Ronstandt's Hardware).

The old greyhoud bus terminal was recently razed, the old JC Pennys, Jacomes, banker building, & other important areas (in the 80's), including a historic bario that really would work well in today's market.

The art museum is so small that it isn't very visible.

There's a lot of cheap press about the "historic downtown", but its all words, Flagstaff has a more vibrant historic downtown & it is a small city.

They are always complaining about building "tall", a 11 story loft is going to be put up on a dusty patch of parking lot & the neighbors complained. This place is stuck in the 1970's.

Tucson should build tall & wide in the downtown, obviously Phoenix did not learn, sprawl is shooting up.

The transportation is horrendous, cars spew out pollution, no one walks, there is no vibrant "area" to visit, the downtown is like a ghost town after dusk.

Obviously no one has any foresight in the administration at all.

I agree with u, but u make it sound like it's the average citizen's fault.

Of course the downtown is more or less deserted - no investors are interested in urbanizing it. Sure, I'd love for Tucson to be concentrated around the downtown, but what can I do? Nothing, I haven't got millions to mindlessly dispense into a city I'm not even will appreciate it. Besides, it's the city government that u should be blaming - they are purposely denying all proposals for high rises because it'll take away from the "small-town" feel they're looking for.

[IRepTucson]

Anyways...

I was bored so I decided to attempt making my first panoramic picture of something in Tucson - best thing I could think of were the mountains.
There was some cloud coverage, so u can't really see much of the top, but here's how it turned out.


Scroll >>>

[IRepTucson]

I admit I don't visit Tucson's downtown very often, but just today I had the pleasure of doing so. Perhaps I was paying better attention this time, but the downtown really looks like it got a face lift. It was always pretty clean, but now a lot of the historical buildings were renovated. Sure, there's still quite a bit of work to be done, but I saw some potential in creating a lively downtown where young people (ages 15 to 30) would want to visit.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, but I'll be sure to take some pictures next time.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, when I got home I was curious on to what was planned for downtown, so I looked it up on Wikipedia. According to Wiki:

Downtown Tucson is undergoing a revitalization effort by city planners and the business community. The primary project is Rio Nuevo, a large retail and community center that has been in planning for more than ten years.

Source

So I'll try to find out a bit more info on this "Rio Nuevo", and what it's all about.

[IRepTucson]

I did a bit of research online, and found some interesting info on our public transportation "dilemma":

Future Plans (short and long term):

As part of Tucson's downtown renewal, two extensions are planned. The first will be southward under the Southern Pacific (now Union Pacific) railroad line to the historic Southern Pacific Depot and Ronstadt Transit Center, where the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is located. At the other end of the line, a loop will be built eastward one block from the current terminus, thereby permitting operation of OPT's single-ended trolleys like the President's Conference Car and the car from Belgium. These two short additions are near term and should be operational within the next three years.

In May 2006, the Regional Transportation Plan was adopted by a vote of almost 60% in favor. This election also passed a 20 year, 1/2 cent sales tax to finance the transportation improvements. Among the items in the plan was 75 million dollars for a modern streetcar system along the present Old Pueblo Line, with extensions west to the developing Rio Nuevo area immediately west of downtown, and an extension through the north side of the Universiy of Arizona campus to the north side of the Health Sciences Center at the University. The approved funds are a match to an equal amount of Federal Transit Administration funding. The street railway system will be double-tracked, replacing the original OPT single track. A maintenance facility will be located just west of the present OPT car barn and yard on 8th Street west of 4th Avenue. Historic trolley operation will continue during weekends and special events, supplementing the modern streetcars.

This longer term project will likely not begin construction until 2009.

Source

So apparently, the short term plans are going to start latest in the next 3 years, while the long term plans aren't expected to start at least until 2009. I'm glad I was wrong about our city-council not caring about our downtown - it seems like they're actually planning this out quite nicely.

After reading all this info from Wiki, I've become suddenly more optimistic about the city, and I think there's some real potential to be released.

[EbonyGod]

true, i think that we might actually be turning around

[IRepTucson]

Originally Posted by EbonyGod

true, i think that we might actually be turning around

Welcome to the forum EbonyGod.

[IRepTucson]

So I quickly Google searched "Rio Nuevo" before I felt comfortable asking people questions, and I already found a great site about it.

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/rionuevo/ This site has a great intro video

[IRepTucson]

Great News!

Downtown Tucson is Wi-Fi

Enjoy free, high-speed Internet access from two Downtown hot spots - Jacome Plaza in front of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library and Presidio Plaza outside City Hall. All you need is your laptop and a wireless card. Wi-Fi makes surfing the 'Net exceptionally fast and convenient, whether you've living, working or just visiting the Heart of the City.

Downtown Tucson's first free Wi-Fi Zone is made possible by the following organizations and businesses:

• Tucson Wi-Fi Alliance
• Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Simply Bits, LLC
• Tucson-Pima Public Library
• City of Tucson IT and other departments
• University of Arizona, CCIT and Procurement Contracting Services
• The Cumberland Group, Inc.
• Lewis & Roca, LLP
• Clifton Gunderson, LLP
• Finley Distributing Company

[IRepTucson]

Here's a current map of Tucson's downtown:

[IRepTucson]

Here's a good question... why does no one care enough to visit the thread, but then they complain saying that no one represents and gives info about Tucson.

[MasonsInquiries]

i love tucson. my kinda' place!! my wife & i loved our visit there.

[Urban Legend]

i really like the city.
i have been there in 1998 and fell in love of this city.
i hope to visit soon

[SouthernEuropean]

Hello from Greece guys!Tucson,looks nice with a very unique landscape!,i always wanted to visit cities of that kind+my town of birth in Greece,Trikala and Tucson are sister cities.. did u know that?
So what is like living in Tucson?what is the lifestyle,you know what is there to do,what people enjoy doing-..etc??

[Parzival]

I've always found Tuscon somewhat pretty. Much nicer than Phoenix!

[Parzival]

Originally Posted by SouthernEuropean

Hello from Greece guys!Tucson,looks nice with a very unique landscape!,i always wanted to visit cities of that kind+my town of birth in Greece,Trikala and Tucson are sister cities.. did u know that?
So what is like living in Tucson?what is the lifestyle,you know what is there to do,what people enjoy doing-..etc??

There is a lot of hot chicks in the malls u can hit on. Downtown is really small. The city bearly have any apartments, just houses. but I like it!

[AZPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Parzival

I've always found Tuscon somewhat pretty. Much nicer than Phoenix!

No way

Believe me, Phoenix is 100 times better than Tuscon. I can't stand southern Arizona. I am more a central and Northern Arizona guy.

[PhillyintheDuke]

Greetings from ABQ!

Cool pics everyone.

I come by and ask a favor to you Tusconians. I will be in town on Aug 15th for the U of A versus University of New Mexico football game. I was wondering what there was to do, or places to eat you all could recommend.

It's only going to be a weekend thing, as I will be driving in to tailgate before the game.

If there was one restaraunt you could recommend, and a couple of must see places, where would you guide me. Heck any 4 wheelin places close by, I will be bringing the Tacoma with me.

Thanx in advance!

P.S.
Good luck on your plans on a light rail development. I hope to see one in ABQ in the next ten years, hopefully we can model it after Tucson.



Oh yeah,
GO LOBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!