Citizens Invited to Discuss Proposed Arena at Public Meeting on Oct. 27

Date: October 14, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Richard Singer, 520-791-4101

Tucsonans will have their first opportunity to discuss Downtown’s proposed new arena at an open house on Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tucson Convention Center Turquoise Ballroom, located near the corner of South Church Avenue and Cushing Street. Free parking will be provided in Lot B, on the Convention Center’s west side.

The City of Tucson is investigating the feasibility of building a new Downtown arena that would serve the community as a sports and entertainment venue. It would be located on the Civic Plaza just west of the Tucson Convention Center. Conventions, Sports & Leisure International (CS&L), a respected international consulting firm that specializes in the planning of arena facilities, has completed Phase I of a feasibility study for the arena. CS&L recommends that Tucson’s ideal arena would have 12,500 seats, modern amenities and a variety of new programming options. Attendance at the new arena is expected to increase fivefold, from 150,000 to 750,000 annually.

At the October 27th public meeting, citizens will have the opportunity to:
• Meet the architects from HNTB and Durrant
• Review the first phase of the Arena Feasibility Study
• Share their ideas for Tucson’s ideal arena
• Ask questions and learn about the project’s next steps

Spanish translation will be available at the public meeting. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by calling Elizabeth O’Hara-Walker at 791-4101, ext. 110.

The plan to build a new arena is part of Río Nuevo, the comprehensive Downtown revitalization project funded by the State of Arizona, the City of Tucson, and private enterprise. Its goals are to create a vibrant experience in Downtown Tucson for citizens and visitors through the development of new attractions, shops, restaurants, office space and housing, and to ultimately make Downtown Tucson into the “Heart of the City.” For more information about Río Nuevo, please call (520) 791-5580, or visit www.rionuevotucson.com. For more information about the public meeting to discuss Tucson’s proposed new arena, please call the Tucson Convention Center at 791-4101.

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Media contact:
Richard Singer
Director
Tucson Convention Center
520-791-4101