City News

NewsNet 07-16-14

Posted July 16, 2014

VOLUNTEER AS A STREETCAR GUIDE DURING OPENING WEEKEND - The Sun Link Tucson Streetcar team is recruiting volunteers to assist riders on the streetcar, July 25-27. Volunteers are asked to register to work a two-hour shift (or multiple staggered shifts) to help people board and exit the streetcar, answer questions and hand out free water. Volunteer shifts are available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. all three days. As part of the volunteer training, you will get to ride the streetcar before the official launch, and you will get a free T-shirt. After the grand opening celebrations July 25, rides on the streetcar will be free through Sunday, July 27.

TUCSON ARCHITECTURAL FIRM MOVES DOWNTOWN TO BE PART OF AREA'S REVIVAL - With the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar and a vibrant food and entertainment scene leading Downtown Tucson's revival, a Tucson architect says he wants to be "part of the entire scene." Thomas Sayler-Brown, founder of SBBL Architecture + Planning, recently relocated his office from midtown to 15 E. Pennington Street to realize his dream of working in the urban center of Tucson. His company even is helping create part of the new downtown, finishing design plans for the forthcoming Johnny Gibson’s Downtown Market, the long-awaited downtown grocery store. SBBL's portfolio also includes the Foothills Mall Loews Theater, the Lodge at Canoa Ranch, the Stone Curves multi-family housing development, the Cord Blood Registry, and other projects. Read more from the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

RIO NUEVO RECEIVES TWO BIDS TO REDEVELOP CURRENT GREYHOUND SITE - Rio Nuevo has two proposals to develop land it owns near the Tucson Convention Center. The Rio Nuevo Board board voted 4-1 Tuesday to publicly interview the two bidders in a final evaluation before it selects a winner to purchase and develop the approximately 8.5 acres of land now occupied by the Greyhound Bus Depot. Both proposals include plans for a hotel, parking garage and some mix of apartments, office space, restaurants, and shops. One bid, for $100 million, is from developer Allan Norville, who owns land adjacent to the property. The other, for nearly $112 million, is from Peach Properties. Once the Rio Nuevo Board picks a winner, it would then enter into negotiations to develop a final agreement. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

VOTER-APPROVED ROAD REPAIR WORK CONTINUES - Crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), began work today to improve the roadway conditions on Sixth Street from Ferro Avenue (just west of Sixth Avenue) to Park Avenue. Crews are lowering manhole and water valve covers through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the utility-lowering phase of the project, at least one lane of travel in each direction will be maintained. Beginning Monday, crews will begin a full-depth mill (removing asphalt) and repaving on Sixth Street. The milling and repaving is scheduled to be complete by Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Business and residential access will be maintained at all times. The pavement preservation project is part of the $100 million, five-year Road Recovery bond program. Read the Bond Oversight Commission Annual Report.

TUCSON MAKES THE LIST OF TOP 50 CITIES FOR SWIMMERS - A study commissioned by USA Swimming and Speedo ranks Tucson 42nd on the list of 50 top cities in which to swim. The study ranks cities based on the number of USA Swimming clubs and members, number of competitions, and other factors. Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics is one of the nation's most successful post-collegiate clubs, building on the achievements of the University of Arizona swim teams. Former UA coach Frank Busch is USA Swimming national team director. Phoenix did not rank among the top 50 cities in the survey. Read more from azcentral.com, and read the entire survey.

Sixth Street: Ferro Avenue to Park Avenue Resurfacing Project

Posted July 16, 2014

On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will begin work to improve the roadway conditions on Sixth Street from Ferro Avenue (just west of Sixth Avenue) to Park Avenue. The pavement improvement project is part of the $100 million, five-year street bond program - Road Recovery. The Road Recovery program is funded by voter-approved bonds.

ROAD RECOVERY SIXTH STREET - FERRO AVENUE TO PARK AVENUE RESURFACING PROJECT

Posted July 16, 2014

ROAD RECOVERY

SIXTH STREET - FERRO AVENUE TO PARK AVENUE 

RESURFACING PROJECT

On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, crews from Southern Arizona Paving and Construction Co., under contract with the City of Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), will begin work to improve the roadway conditions on Sixth Street from Ferro Avenue (just west of Sixth Avenue) to Park Avenue. The pavement improvement project is part of the $100 million, five-year street bond program - Road Recovery. The Road Recovery program is funded by voter-approved bonds.

MPA NOW ACCEPTING COMMON GROUND AWARD NOMINATIONS!

Posted July 15, 2014

MPA NOW ACCEPTING COMMON GROUND AWARD NOMINATIONS!
 
MPA's Common Ground Awards recognizes community leaders, projects and events with successful collaboration for the overall benefit of the community. Whether it is land development, economic development or community development, it is pertinent for all parties to find common ground and the Board selected winners are bestowed their Common Ground Award at this annual banquet ceremony attended by hundreds.  Complete nomination packages will be accepted from July 1, 2014 until August 1, 2014.
 
 

CM Fimbres Urges Postmaster General To Keep Cherrybell Open

Posted July 15, 2014

Dear Postmaster General Donohoe

I am writing to oppose the recent announcement that the United States Postal Service (USPS) will resume the closure and consolidation process of 82 centers, including the Tucson Processing and Distribution Center (Cherrybell P&DC).  

As has been indicated previously, I am concerned that this closure will have a negative impact on the Tucson community, the Southern Arizona community and the State of Arizona.

Newsnet for July 15

Posted July 15, 2014

BE PREPARED DURING MONSOON THUNDERSTORMS - With swift water rescues, power outages and flooding seemingly part of the daily news lately, there are steps you can take to be prepared for an emergency. Be Prepared Tucson advises all residents to create a 72-hour emergency kit. Each member of your family, including pets, should have a kit. A website (linked below) from the City of Tucson, U.S. Department of Energy, Homeland Security, and FEMA has a checklist of everything you need to be ready for an emergency.

Tucson Water Begins Recycled Water Program

Posted July 15, 2014

    Tucson Water has completed a master plan for the development of
recycled water as a future drinking water resource. Additional planning
and study will begin soon, including discussions with Tucson Water
customers. 

    “We’ve been studying this for some time,” said Tucson
Water Director Alan Forrest. “The ongoing drought and dropping water
levels in Lake Mead, and planning for the impacts of climate change are
making it a higher priority than originally planned.”

CITY OF TUCSON WORKSHOPS LICENSE AND TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX REPORTING

Posted July 15, 2014

CITY OF TUCSON WORKSHOPS
LICENSE AND TRANSACTION PRIVILEGE TAX REPORTING

Learn your rights and responsibilities for Transaction Privilege (Sales) Taxation by attending a Tax and License Workshop sponsored by the City of Tucson Finance Department.  

Questions will be answered and written materials will be available.  Samples of sales tax records, worksheets, and monthly returns will be explained.  Sample returns can be completed.  It is recommended that you bring a calculator and a pencil.

NewsNet 07-15-14

Posted July 15, 2014

BE PREPARED DURING MONSOON THUNDERSTORMS - With swift water rescues, power outages and flooding seemingly part of the daily news lately, there are steps you can take to be prepared for an emergency. Be Prepared Tucson advises all residents to create a 72-hour emergency kit. Each member of your family, including pets, should have a kit. A website from the City of Tucson, U.S. Department of Energy, Homeland Security, and FEMA has a checklist of everything you need to be ready for an emergency. Watch a Tucson Fire Department/Tucson 12 video on how to prepare for an emergency.

SUMMER RAINFALL AT TIA IS ABOUT AVERAGE, SO FAR - The Tucson International Airport has measured 0.85 inches of rain since June 15 (not counting this morning's storms). That is near-average. However people in other parts of Tucson report higher totals. Sierra Vista is one of the most-soaked locations in Southeast Arizona so far, recording more than 4 inches of rain. That is more than three times the average. For recordkeeping purposes, the monsoon season runs from June 15 through September 30. Read more from Tucson News Now, and track rainfaill totals at rainlog.org.

MANY OF TUCSON'S OLDER STREETS NOT MADE FOR DRAINAGE - Storm drainage planning in road construction didn't really come into play in our community until the 1980s, and flood control officials say older streets were designed to fill with water that would funnel into washes. With a growing population and heavy summer storms, that flooding sometimes causes safety problems and traffic detours. Crews from the City of Tucson and Pima County stay busy this time of year removing debris that can clog washes and cause flooding. “Most of our folks have been out working most of the night clearing drains," said Tucson Department of Transportation Director Daryl Cole. The City says you can help flood control by clearing debris on your land that could clog small washes.

SUN LINK TEAM QUICKLY REPAIRS LIGHTNING-DAMAGED WIRE - Sun Link Streetcar testing was suspended briefly yesterday near the University of Arizona after a damaged catenary wire fell down around noon. The Tucson Fire and Tucson Police Department secured the scene on 2nd Street. Crews discovered that the non-powered span wire was frayed and blackened which led the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) to believe lightning struck the line the night before, TDOT Deputy Director Carlos DeLeon told NewsNet. The wire was repaired and replaced within hours, he said, and testing resumed at about 5 p.m. Streetcar service begins July 25, a week from Friday.

HOW TO REPORT TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS AFTER STORM DAMAGE - Is there a tree in the road after a thunderstorm? Is there a pothole you'd like to see fixed? Is a street sign missing? You can report these issues to the Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT), (520) 791-3154, or email the exact location to tdotsr@tucsonaz.gov. You also can use the SeeClickFix website and app.
 

Newsnet Update

Posted July 14, 2014

TUCSON NAMED TOP 10 CITY FOR MILLENIALS IN THE SOUTHWEST - A new study, conducted by Havas PR North America, surveyed Hispanic and non-Hispanic 18-to-34-year-olds living in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas on topics including family, food and work. The findings were published in a report called, “Mi Casa en Los Estados Unidos: Millennials of the Border States.” As part of the survey, about 800 participants were asked to name one Southwest city that they thought would be best for their generation in the future. Tucson was the 10th most popular.

NewsNet 07-14-14

Posted July 14, 2014

TUCSON FIRE DEPARTMENT (TFD) PERFORMS SWIFT WATER RESCUES - Tucson Fire units rescued an 8-year-old girl and her father after they became trapped in a wash on Tucson's southeast side yesterday. The wash, at the 4000 block of South Avenida De Las Palmas, was dry when the two entered, and they ended up climbing the tree for safe refuge. Four firefighters with safety equipment made their way across the wash in an in-line position to the stranded pair. The 8-year-old was placed in the middle of the four firefighters and the five walked to safety. The same technique was used to then get the father. TFD units also were in place downstream as standard procedure in the case that someone got swept away. Neither father nor daughter required medical attention after being rescued. In another incident early this morning, rescue crews also removed a man from a flowing wash near Starr Pass and Mission Road. Tucson Fire crews remind people to stay out of washes this time of year, as water can flow quickly during the monsoon. Watch the rescue video at TFD Facebook page.

TUCSON NAMED TOP 10 CITY FOR MILLENIALS IN THE SOUTHWEST - A new study, conducted by Havas PR North America, surveyed Hispanic and non-Hispanic 18-to-34-year-olds living in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas on topics including family, food and work. The findings were published in a report called, “Mi Casa en Los Estados Unidos: Millennials of the Border States.” As part of the survey, about 800 participants were asked to name one Southwest city that they thought would be best for their generation in the future. Tucson was the 10th most popular. Factors cited include the University of Arizona, diversity, proximity to the border, rich history and culture, and an open-minded community. Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

CITY PARTNERS WITH TECH LAUNCH ARIZONA TO HELP START-UPS - With the creation of new businesses an important part of the City of Tucson’s economic development strategy, the City and the University of Arizona have formed an alliance to incubate local technology start-up companies. The Commercial Network Alliance is a part of the University’s Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) program and focuses on engaging local talent and expertise, particularly UA students and faculty. Tucson has been identified in several recent national studies as one of the most promising cities for entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. The Commercialization Network Alliance was created to help fully realize that promise. 

NEED HELP STARTING OR EXPANDING A BUSINESS IN TUCSON? CALL THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE LINE - The City of Tucson's Small Business Assistance Line, (520) 837-4100, is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Help is available in both English and Spanish. Staff from the City Manager's Office of Economic Initiatives answer the calls. The Small Business Assistance Line is one of a number of City initiatives, along with 21 new business incentives, streamlined permit processes and more, to make the City of Tucson more business-friendly.

FOLLOW THE PROGRESS ON THE DOWNTOWN LINKS PROJECT - The City of Tucson and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) have a Downtown Links website to give citizens information and updates on one of the largest transportation projects in Tucson. The $76 million project will result in a four-lane roadway north of the Union Pacific Railroad that will link Barraza-Aviation Parkway and Interstate 10, Broadway Boulevard with 4th Avenue, and downtown with the neighborhoods to the north. Downtown Links also will provide alternate access to downtown, new and safer underpasses and railroad crossings, and improved sidewalks and bike paths.

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