While my yard may not be the nicest in the neighborhood, I take pride in my home. I have spent countless hours working on my landscaping, have done much to improve the appearance of my house, and have tried to be a good neighbor. At the same time, I realize that there are others in my neighborhood who aren't in a position to make the same effort as I.
We have a mixed community of young families, elderly households, and 'urban professionals.' Some folks own their homes, and have molded their houses to suit their own needs and interests. Others are renting, and have little control over the overall appearance of their domiciles. Still others, in the sunsets of their lives, have little capability or help in keeping their homes spic and span. Everybody in our neighborhood have grown to understand this, and have learned to tolerate these differences. This, I believe, is as it should be.
If I wanted to live on a street of cookie-cutter homes all painted from a bland palette of colors, all with highly contrived and regimented landscapes, and all conforming to a draconian set of rules, I would have bought into one of the many Home Owners Association controlled subdivisions. You can't sling a dead javelina in Pima County without hitting one (which will probably get you a fine!) and now we seem to have yet another entry in the, "How Can We Tell You How to Live and Make You Like It," game.
It was once said that politicians hate competition, and in this case, nothing could seem further from the truth. In yesterday's Arizona Daily Star, an article outlined how the city's Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) wants to 'change' the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance. It seems that they want to officially enter the HOA business, on a city-wide basis. Is this really such a good idea?
Understand that, according to the HCDD, most of what they are requesting are little more than language clarifications to existing rules and regulations. Rules and regulations that owe their existence to a letter written by a former city building official. A LETTER! Not laws, codes, or even published guidelines, BUT A LETTER! A letter that has been used as a means of justifying enforcement for quite some time! Really folks?
Those who live in glass houses should refrain from throwing stones. Our city has proven itself incapable of maintaining streets, medians, and even its own properties. It has squandered opportunity after opportunity to attract commercial corporations to our community. It has little to show for the hundreds of millions that have been budgeted for Rio Nuevo. It conceived and is now developing a Modern Trolley system of questionable merit. It has managed to lose MLB Spring Training due to nothing more than apathy. It is at risk of losing the many gem shows that grace our city twice a year. But they seem to think they know best how WE should live our lives!
The unmitigated gall demonstrated by HCDD with regard to this proposal would be laughable, were it not so frightening. To try and sell these changes to the city council and the voters as little more than 'language clarifications' is a bald-faced lie! A lie to justify bureaucrats jobs. If there are no codified ordinances... at least none approved by a past city council or the voters, than there cannot be any 'language clarifications.' It is simply an attempt to ramrod their will down the throats of the people. Thankfully, at least some of our city council members have refused to fall for this ruse.
On the surface, it may seem right to control people's ability to hold yard sales, park commercial vehicles, and store other vehicles in public view. Problem is, all of these provisions are little more than a means to control our lived. In the current climate of multi-career households, the possibility of having more than one commercial vehicle at a residence at any given time is not uncommon. Why should the city give a d@#n about how many commercial vehicles are parked at my house!
If I am engaged in the restoration of a classic automobile, and have it parked alongside my home, should I be punished for that? We're talking about a long-term hobby that can take five or more years to see it to completion, so why should the city stick it's nose in my affairs? And so what if my neighbor has a yard sale once a month? I'm all for capitalism, and encourage them to try and make a little money from their junk. I guess since there is no tax revenue or parking fees to be made here by the city, they need to find their money somewhere!
C'mon folks at HCDD, pull your heads from your nether regions. We've all lived in this city long enough to know what you're up to. Why don't you try and prompt the city to encourage sustainable business growth, job development, and make MEANINGFUL changes that will benefit the community. Increase our tax revenues in this way, as opposed to piling on more financial responsibility on us, the voters. We all agree that the city needs improvement, but this is not the way to go about it. Be honest, present your proposals to the voters in the form of a series of propositions, and let us ALL decide what needs to be done. STOP TELLING US HOW TO LIVE OUR LIVES!
Now its time to strike while the fire is hot. Write, call, and e-mail your city representatives. Send e-mails to HCDD ( HCDAdmin@tucsonaz.gov ) and tell them what you think about their attempt at back-door legislation. Spread the word to your families, neighbors, and friends, and get them on board.
Let's Get Started!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Can't We All Just... Get Around!
To say Tucson is a sprawling metropolitan area is an understatement. We're not as big as the Los Angeles area, nor even as sprawling as our neighbors to the north. We probably have a combination of factors to thank for our relative containment. We're surrounded on three sides by mountains and are ringed by federal, state, and reservation land. Yet our community is still quite broad, even given these limitations... and there are still possibilities for growth.
To our north and northwest lie Marana, Catalina, Oro Valley, and the yet to be recognized Tortolita. These areas saw a great deal of growth before the Development Crash. So too Vail to our east, and Avra Valley to our west. Then there is the nearby town of Sahuarita to our south. Even during the economic slow-down, that area continued to experience growth.
Combine these high-growth areas with other nearby communities ripe for expansion, and we have a perfect storm of explosive development and urban sprawl. That is why I contend that we need a comprehensive transportation plan in place NOW, and not later. Supposedly these plans are already in place, but lets take a look at past transportation development to see if ANY previously drafted plans will fill our communities' needs.
Barraza - Aviation Highway
When I first moved out to Southeast Arizona, Aviation was a sleepy road paralleling the Southern Pacific rail yards. It was a two-lane, poorly maintained surface street acting as a divider between the busy rail corridor and nearby neighborhoods. There were no fences, no walls, and little to no traffic. Then it was transformed in the early-mid 1990's into the 'highway' it is today.
Originally it was to skirt around the east side of downtown to eventually connect with I-10. As conceived, it was expected to handle a great deal of what would otherwise be surface-street traffic. With limited access points over much of its course, it should be the perfect Tucson freeway, however...
As many will tell you, it really handles little high capacity traffic. It parallels much of I-10, diverging only after it connects with Golf Links near Alvernon. In fact, Golf Links east of Barraza - Aviation is busier than B - A itself, funneling much of its traffic off I-10 via Alvernon. Perhaps if B - A were connected with I-10 instead of a mouldering downtown, it would see more use.
That's exactly what was supposed to happen, but objections from the Warehouse District businesses forced ADOT to scrap that idea, and now its left to the city to re-locate the B - A / I-10 interchange to the south of downtown via 22nd Street, at an estimated cost of 84.5 million dollars. Then there's ADOT's attempt to connect B - A to I-10 somewhere in the southeast portion of the city. It is nothing more than a study, currently, but could result in a connection in the not too distant future.
What does all of this mean to Tucson? 'A Whole Lotta Nada!' Such a highway will accomplish little to relieve pressure on our surface streets or our Interstate. It's about as useful as the Yellow Brick Road in Oz. "Hop on the road, head toward downtown, but ignore the bureaucrats behind the curtain..."
Modern Streetcar
The city began seriously looking into the idea of a modern streetcar in 2004, and by 2006 a route had been selected. It operates from vacant land west of I-10 near downtown, runs through the congested thoroughfares of downtown, up the 4th Ave. Business District, and makes a sharp dog-leg to the U of A. Seems like a great route... right?
True, there are a number of residential neighborhoods through which the streetcar runs. The RTA estimates about 100,000 people live within 1/2 mile from the route, but will they use the streetcar as a means of daily transportation? I surmise that relatively few downtown employees actually live near the streetcar. These are, often times, high paying, skilled positions... even the bureaucrats. Many of them live in the finer neighborhoods on the periphery of the city. So who's going to use it?
There are the U of A students... many of whom live within walking distance of the campus. Will they use it for classes? Probably not. Will they use it for shopping? Where... there are no malls on the route, nor are there any supermarkets that I'm aware of. Will they use it to go to 4th Ave.? Most certainly, but not for the fine dining, or the fine culture. They will probably go there for the partying!
Imagine it... the streetcar cruising about the hustle and bustle of night-time downtown Tucson, passing emptily past the TCC, the Fox Theater, and the fine restaurants that have managed to survive the construction. Once it reaches 4th Ave., it is inundated with liquefied college coeds, returning from the clubs and bars... thankfully the Modern Streetcar is ADA Accessible, so there are few steps for these inebriated throngs to stumble over.
Reeking of beer and hard spirits, and probably liberal amounts of putrid vomit, these high tech people movers will discharge their passengers, just in time to pick up another load to take back to Party Central! It is estimated that about 500 new jobs will be created by the Modern Streetcar, many of whom, I would surmise, will be cleaning the streetcars after the weekends!
I once had high hopes for a streetcar or light rail system for Tucson. I am a BIG rail advocate, in every way, shape, and form. Problem is, the system currently under construction seems destined for failure. It will be plagued by poor ridership, poor routing, and if our city's track record holds true, poor management. Here is an example, in my opinion, of the poor leadership yet to come.
If you go to the RTA's streetcar page, click on the FAQ page. One of the most asked questions I've heard throughout the community involves plans for expansion. Everyone I talk to wonder just when the streetcar will make it to their part of town... yet nowhere in the FAQ pages is this even addressed. There we have it folks, a Modern Streetcar to nowhere, with no plans to make it any different! I might be wrong, but I'm afraid in time, I'll just be proven right.
SunTran
In 1988, Sun Tran won "America's Best Transit System" from the American Public Transportation Association. They were proud of that distinction. It was advertised heavily on the radio and in the print media. It was a real feather in their cap. Seventeen years later, they repeated this feat... SEVENTEEN YEARS! If they were so good in 1988, then why did it take so long to do it again? And why wasn't there the huge media blitz about it in 2005? Did I just miss it?
Now, they tout their 2012 award, not for best system, but for increased ridership! Not really a huge surprise with gas prices so high and folks finding it increasingly more difficult to keep their cars on the road. Oh, and their new accolade isn't national, its statewide. Like being the hottest girl at a family reunion.
As the metro area has expanded, Sun Tran has been slow to respond. The Rita Ranch area had been developed for well over a decade, yet this year they made a huge deal over expanding service to this area with a new route! Do we have bus service to Vail? Sabino Canyon? Sahuarita? Until the powers that be do something constructive toward addressing service to these well populated, out-lying areas, no amount awards and kudos will make up for a deficient system.
Tucson Regional Freeway System
While I could just leave this area blank... just like our non-existent freeway system... I think it deserves some scrutiny. Since the mid-1980's when I was but a visitor in Arizona, much was said about a city-wide freeway system. Talk was that Houghton Road on the eastside would connect with a much improved River / Skyline corridor to create a limited access, high volume freeway skirting around the Tucson Metro Area.
The only opposition I was aware of at the time, was a rather vocal group claiming that such a freeway was going to promote city expansion into the desert. Have you been out there lately? What you have is a city that expanded into the desert WITHOUT the benefit of a freeway, and as a result, you have snarled traffic on congested surface streets. All the growth with none of the infrastructural benefits!
I would suggest that ADOT, Pima County Transportation, and the city begin looking at a regional freeway system once again. Alvernon / Hughes Access would make a pretty good southside freeway route, especially if it can connect to I-19. Houghton could still be a viable route over part of its length... alas too much development to the north end of this road has made its use deeper into the eastside of the city economically unattainable.
If Golf Links could be turned into a freeway from Houghton to Barraza - Aviation, it would then act as a really viable east-west corridor, and if an Alvernon / Hughes Access freeway could be extended up to Golf Links / B - A, then all of that would be tied in well, especially if a new access route to the airport via Los Reales was included in such a freeway plan.
As for a northside and central freeway... I'm just not sure such a plan could be completed without it costing an astronomical amount. Perhaps the Modern Streetcar could be put to good use in this region of the city, but once again, there appears to be no real future plans for this mode of transportation outside the current, highly flawed route.
So, what can we do about it all. So much to change and so few in local government seem to care. We could write, call, have meetings, and write blogs... guess its all we really can do. But if we do it as a group... an amalgam of voices... then we might be heard.
So, Lets Get Started!
To our north and northwest lie Marana, Catalina, Oro Valley, and the yet to be recognized Tortolita. These areas saw a great deal of growth before the Development Crash. So too Vail to our east, and Avra Valley to our west. Then there is the nearby town of Sahuarita to our south. Even during the economic slow-down, that area continued to experience growth.
Combine these high-growth areas with other nearby communities ripe for expansion, and we have a perfect storm of explosive development and urban sprawl. That is why I contend that we need a comprehensive transportation plan in place NOW, and not later. Supposedly these plans are already in place, but lets take a look at past transportation development to see if ANY previously drafted plans will fill our communities' needs.
Barraza - Aviation Highway
When I first moved out to Southeast Arizona, Aviation was a sleepy road paralleling the Southern Pacific rail yards. It was a two-lane, poorly maintained surface street acting as a divider between the busy rail corridor and nearby neighborhoods. There were no fences, no walls, and little to no traffic. Then it was transformed in the early-mid 1990's into the 'highway' it is today.
Originally it was to skirt around the east side of downtown to eventually connect with I-10. As conceived, it was expected to handle a great deal of what would otherwise be surface-street traffic. With limited access points over much of its course, it should be the perfect Tucson freeway, however...
As many will tell you, it really handles little high capacity traffic. It parallels much of I-10, diverging only after it connects with Golf Links near Alvernon. In fact, Golf Links east of Barraza - Aviation is busier than B - A itself, funneling much of its traffic off I-10 via Alvernon. Perhaps if B - A were connected with I-10 instead of a mouldering downtown, it would see more use.
That's exactly what was supposed to happen, but objections from the Warehouse District businesses forced ADOT to scrap that idea, and now its left to the city to re-locate the B - A / I-10 interchange to the south of downtown via 22nd Street, at an estimated cost of 84.5 million dollars. Then there's ADOT's attempt to connect B - A to I-10 somewhere in the southeast portion of the city. It is nothing more than a study, currently, but could result in a connection in the not too distant future.
What does all of this mean to Tucson? 'A Whole Lotta Nada!' Such a highway will accomplish little to relieve pressure on our surface streets or our Interstate. It's about as useful as the Yellow Brick Road in Oz. "Hop on the road, head toward downtown, but ignore the bureaucrats behind the curtain..."
Modern Streetcar
The city began seriously looking into the idea of a modern streetcar in 2004, and by 2006 a route had been selected. It operates from vacant land west of I-10 near downtown, runs through the congested thoroughfares of downtown, up the 4th Ave. Business District, and makes a sharp dog-leg to the U of A. Seems like a great route... right?
True, there are a number of residential neighborhoods through which the streetcar runs. The RTA estimates about 100,000 people live within 1/2 mile from the route, but will they use the streetcar as a means of daily transportation? I surmise that relatively few downtown employees actually live near the streetcar. These are, often times, high paying, skilled positions... even the bureaucrats. Many of them live in the finer neighborhoods on the periphery of the city. So who's going to use it?
There are the U of A students... many of whom live within walking distance of the campus. Will they use it for classes? Probably not. Will they use it for shopping? Where... there are no malls on the route, nor are there any supermarkets that I'm aware of. Will they use it to go to 4th Ave.? Most certainly, but not for the fine dining, or the fine culture. They will probably go there for the partying!
Imagine it... the streetcar cruising about the hustle and bustle of night-time downtown Tucson, passing emptily past the TCC, the Fox Theater, and the fine restaurants that have managed to survive the construction. Once it reaches 4th Ave., it is inundated with liquefied college coeds, returning from the clubs and bars... thankfully the Modern Streetcar is ADA Accessible, so there are few steps for these inebriated throngs to stumble over.
Reeking of beer and hard spirits, and probably liberal amounts of putrid vomit, these high tech people movers will discharge their passengers, just in time to pick up another load to take back to Party Central! It is estimated that about 500 new jobs will be created by the Modern Streetcar, many of whom, I would surmise, will be cleaning the streetcars after the weekends!
I once had high hopes for a streetcar or light rail system for Tucson. I am a BIG rail advocate, in every way, shape, and form. Problem is, the system currently under construction seems destined for failure. It will be plagued by poor ridership, poor routing, and if our city's track record holds true, poor management. Here is an example, in my opinion, of the poor leadership yet to come.
If you go to the RTA's streetcar page, click on the FAQ page. One of the most asked questions I've heard throughout the community involves plans for expansion. Everyone I talk to wonder just when the streetcar will make it to their part of town... yet nowhere in the FAQ pages is this even addressed. There we have it folks, a Modern Streetcar to nowhere, with no plans to make it any different! I might be wrong, but I'm afraid in time, I'll just be proven right.
SunTran
In 1988, Sun Tran won "America's Best Transit System" from the American Public Transportation Association. They were proud of that distinction. It was advertised heavily on the radio and in the print media. It was a real feather in their cap. Seventeen years later, they repeated this feat... SEVENTEEN YEARS! If they were so good in 1988, then why did it take so long to do it again? And why wasn't there the huge media blitz about it in 2005? Did I just miss it?
Now, they tout their 2012 award, not for best system, but for increased ridership! Not really a huge surprise with gas prices so high and folks finding it increasingly more difficult to keep their cars on the road. Oh, and their new accolade isn't national, its statewide. Like being the hottest girl at a family reunion.
As the metro area has expanded, Sun Tran has been slow to respond. The Rita Ranch area had been developed for well over a decade, yet this year they made a huge deal over expanding service to this area with a new route! Do we have bus service to Vail? Sabino Canyon? Sahuarita? Until the powers that be do something constructive toward addressing service to these well populated, out-lying areas, no amount awards and kudos will make up for a deficient system.
Tucson Regional Freeway System
While I could just leave this area blank... just like our non-existent freeway system... I think it deserves some scrutiny. Since the mid-1980's when I was but a visitor in Arizona, much was said about a city-wide freeway system. Talk was that Houghton Road on the eastside would connect with a much improved River / Skyline corridor to create a limited access, high volume freeway skirting around the Tucson Metro Area.
The only opposition I was aware of at the time, was a rather vocal group claiming that such a freeway was going to promote city expansion into the desert. Have you been out there lately? What you have is a city that expanded into the desert WITHOUT the benefit of a freeway, and as a result, you have snarled traffic on congested surface streets. All the growth with none of the infrastructural benefits!
I would suggest that ADOT, Pima County Transportation, and the city begin looking at a regional freeway system once again. Alvernon / Hughes Access would make a pretty good southside freeway route, especially if it can connect to I-19. Houghton could still be a viable route over part of its length... alas too much development to the north end of this road has made its use deeper into the eastside of the city economically unattainable.
If Golf Links could be turned into a freeway from Houghton to Barraza - Aviation, it would then act as a really viable east-west corridor, and if an Alvernon / Hughes Access freeway could be extended up to Golf Links / B - A, then all of that would be tied in well, especially if a new access route to the airport via Los Reales was included in such a freeway plan.
As for a northside and central freeway... I'm just not sure such a plan could be completed without it costing an astronomical amount. Perhaps the Modern Streetcar could be put to good use in this region of the city, but once again, there appears to be no real future plans for this mode of transportation outside the current, highly flawed route.
So, what can we do about it all. So much to change and so few in local government seem to care. We could write, call, have meetings, and write blogs... guess its all we really can do. But if we do it as a group... an amalgam of voices... then we might be heard.
So, Lets Get Started!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Maybe We're Getting Somewhere???
Last week, local politico, Frank Antenori, was on the Jon Justice Show, and they spent some time discussing why Tucson doesn't seem to attract very many large business corporations. The main focus of their debate (though it was barely a debate, since they were in agreement) was what they considered foolish and costly development requirements... graywater and rainwater harvesting systems / rough-ins.
I am in agreement with them in one way. While I advocate water conservation, to include both graywater and rainwater use, I believe that a government that FORCES lifestyle changes on the populace, whether residential or commercial, is a failed government. The old expression, "Its easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar," could never be better applied.
If there was a one-time tax advantage for installing such systems, and, in the case of graywater, if there was a monthly discount on the sewer surcharge (which is currently based on water use, not on volume discharged) more folks would voluntarily install such systems, more jobs could be created, more supplies could be sold, and the stress on our aging sewer treatment system could be lessened. We could even see a greening of the city!
But I digress... in my humble opinion, there is a MUCH bigger reason why businesses seem to avoid the Tucson - Metro area. Drive into the city... whether from the interstates, Ajo Highway, or (to a lesser degree) Oracle Road, there isn't much appealing about the region. Trash, clutter, overgrown weedy lots, dilapidated trailer homes, gravel pits... and that smelly Sweetwater facility. Can't see it, but you sure can smell it! And the billboards! I'm all for advertising, and defend the rights of those that profit from it, but isn't there a way to make them a bit more appealing at a reasonable cost? How about some fresh paint, folks!
Then take a good look at the city from the inside. Aside from the construction, poor road conditions, and shuttered businesses... issues facing virtually ALL metro areas... Tucson has a big identity problem. It is a city with little flair, poorly maintained rights-of-way, and a generally run-down appearance. There have been some steps toward improvement... the city's Historic Sign Ordinance may help to make the city have a bit more retro-flair, a recent decision by the city to begin doing something about the condition of our surface street medians and rights-of-way, and the greatest improvement announcement yet! An improvement spearheaded by the nearby city of Marana.
In my opinion, one of the biggest blights along the region's freeways is the CalPortland facility on the northside of the metro area. It consists of overgrown gravel pits and eroded piles of detritus with a liberal sprinkling of cast-off construction debris. As you drive into the city from Phoenix, this is one of the first views to greet you. Not appealing in the least. As it turns out, Marana is purchasing much of the unused portion of the property and turning it into a recreational lake, park land, and open space.
You may be wondering why I am so caught up with the city's general appearance? Well, for one, a better looking city instills a sense of pride in its residents and businesses. Second, statistics support the fact that a city with a better self image has a lower overall crime rate. Finally, a nice looking city attracts tourists and businesses.
When I first visited Tucson in the mid-1980's, I was impressed by the overall 'sparkle' the city had. It was clean, well maintained, and possessed a certain, intangible flair. In 1989, when I finally made the move to Arizona, there was a bit more wear and tear evident, but there was also a bit more expansion, so I chalked the city's condition up as an inability to keep up with demand, a condition that would eventually correct itself.
Now, having lived in the city proper for close to a decade, I can tell you that the city's condition has continued its downward slide. So much so, in fact, that it had taken a huge toll on the community's image, both externally, and internally. We NEED to make a change. We NEED to improve, not just the city's professional image, but its physical image as well. Some of my ideas:
1) Encourage plans such as the one promoted by Marana. I'm not an advocate of taking over property through eminent domain, but if other options can't be worked out with private land owners, then we may have no other choice.
2) Clean-up our streets and medians... I'm not just talking about garbage, but overgrown shrubbery as well. Perhaps this could be a money-making program for the city, offer up the burnable firewood and surplus, harvested plants to businesses and residents!
3) Encourage an expansion of the Historic Sign Ordinance to include billboards. Try back-dating their appearance to give a funky, retro look. They wouldn't necessarily look like old time structures, but they could incorporate historic design elements. Not sure how we can get the outdoor media companies to hop on board, but it may be something worth looking into.
4) Force the city leaders to draft a city image statement. Not just some feel-good words, but a meaningful document that lays out a viable set of voluntary guidelines for businesses and residents to consult when they wish to build, expand, or remodel their homes and businesses. It may be necessary to have several sets of neighborhood specific guidelines, but at least its a start.
5) Make it clear to landscapers, residents, businesses, and the city itself, that Xeriscaping is not a fancy term for gravel! Xeriscaping is a landscape design discipline that uses climate adapted plants along with water-use regions to make a beautiful, low water use environment. We CAN have a beautiful city with trees, shrubs, and flowers without wasting water. It doesn't mean changing the land with layers of gravel, it means changing our mindset and reversing course.
I understand that these suggestions are broad, and unattainably Utopian. Regional image guidelines, more sign ordinances, flowers and shrubs and trees, Oh My! These are pretty simple suggestions that are probably not possible to implement, given the current city council. I would argue that since I've been living in the region, it wouldn't be attainable with ANY recent city council. All we can do is hope, speak out, and roll up our sleeves as try to make a difference.
Let's Get Started!
I am in agreement with them in one way. While I advocate water conservation, to include both graywater and rainwater use, I believe that a government that FORCES lifestyle changes on the populace, whether residential or commercial, is a failed government. The old expression, "Its easier to attract flies with honey than with vinegar," could never be better applied.
If there was a one-time tax advantage for installing such systems, and, in the case of graywater, if there was a monthly discount on the sewer surcharge (which is currently based on water use, not on volume discharged) more folks would voluntarily install such systems, more jobs could be created, more supplies could be sold, and the stress on our aging sewer treatment system could be lessened. We could even see a greening of the city!
But I digress... in my humble opinion, there is a MUCH bigger reason why businesses seem to avoid the Tucson - Metro area. Drive into the city... whether from the interstates, Ajo Highway, or (to a lesser degree) Oracle Road, there isn't much appealing about the region. Trash, clutter, overgrown weedy lots, dilapidated trailer homes, gravel pits... and that smelly Sweetwater facility. Can't see it, but you sure can smell it! And the billboards! I'm all for advertising, and defend the rights of those that profit from it, but isn't there a way to make them a bit more appealing at a reasonable cost? How about some fresh paint, folks!
Then take a good look at the city from the inside. Aside from the construction, poor road conditions, and shuttered businesses... issues facing virtually ALL metro areas... Tucson has a big identity problem. It is a city with little flair, poorly maintained rights-of-way, and a generally run-down appearance. There have been some steps toward improvement... the city's Historic Sign Ordinance may help to make the city have a bit more retro-flair, a recent decision by the city to begin doing something about the condition of our surface street medians and rights-of-way, and the greatest improvement announcement yet! An improvement spearheaded by the nearby city of Marana.
In my opinion, one of the biggest blights along the region's freeways is the CalPortland facility on the northside of the metro area. It consists of overgrown gravel pits and eroded piles of detritus with a liberal sprinkling of cast-off construction debris. As you drive into the city from Phoenix, this is one of the first views to greet you. Not appealing in the least. As it turns out, Marana is purchasing much of the unused portion of the property and turning it into a recreational lake, park land, and open space.
You may be wondering why I am so caught up with the city's general appearance? Well, for one, a better looking city instills a sense of pride in its residents and businesses. Second, statistics support the fact that a city with a better self image has a lower overall crime rate. Finally, a nice looking city attracts tourists and businesses.
When I first visited Tucson in the mid-1980's, I was impressed by the overall 'sparkle' the city had. It was clean, well maintained, and possessed a certain, intangible flair. In 1989, when I finally made the move to Arizona, there was a bit more wear and tear evident, but there was also a bit more expansion, so I chalked the city's condition up as an inability to keep up with demand, a condition that would eventually correct itself.
Now, having lived in the city proper for close to a decade, I can tell you that the city's condition has continued its downward slide. So much so, in fact, that it had taken a huge toll on the community's image, both externally, and internally. We NEED to make a change. We NEED to improve, not just the city's professional image, but its physical image as well. Some of my ideas:
1) Encourage plans such as the one promoted by Marana. I'm not an advocate of taking over property through eminent domain, but if other options can't be worked out with private land owners, then we may have no other choice.
2) Clean-up our streets and medians... I'm not just talking about garbage, but overgrown shrubbery as well. Perhaps this could be a money-making program for the city, offer up the burnable firewood and surplus, harvested plants to businesses and residents!
3) Encourage an expansion of the Historic Sign Ordinance to include billboards. Try back-dating their appearance to give a funky, retro look. They wouldn't necessarily look like old time structures, but they could incorporate historic design elements. Not sure how we can get the outdoor media companies to hop on board, but it may be something worth looking into.
4) Force the city leaders to draft a city image statement. Not just some feel-good words, but a meaningful document that lays out a viable set of voluntary guidelines for businesses and residents to consult when they wish to build, expand, or remodel their homes and businesses. It may be necessary to have several sets of neighborhood specific guidelines, but at least its a start.
5) Make it clear to landscapers, residents, businesses, and the city itself, that Xeriscaping is not a fancy term for gravel! Xeriscaping is a landscape design discipline that uses climate adapted plants along with water-use regions to make a beautiful, low water use environment. We CAN have a beautiful city with trees, shrubs, and flowers without wasting water. It doesn't mean changing the land with layers of gravel, it means changing our mindset and reversing course.
I understand that these suggestions are broad, and unattainably Utopian. Regional image guidelines, more sign ordinances, flowers and shrubs and trees, Oh My! These are pretty simple suggestions that are probably not possible to implement, given the current city council. I would argue that since I've been living in the region, it wouldn't be attainable with ANY recent city council. All we can do is hope, speak out, and roll up our sleeves as try to make a difference.
Let's Get Started!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Does the City need to be in the Golfing Business?
For my second installment on How to Improve Tucson, I'm going to begin by tipping a sacred cow... Tucson Municipal Golf! I understand the arguments in favor of municipal golf courses, and in some instances, I can see where those arguments are valid. In the case of Tucson, however, I feel that any assertion that we need to maintain the five courses already in the municipal system is flawed. Allow me to expound... oh, that's right, this is MY blog, so expound I will!
Recently, it has been reported that Tucson's municipal golf system is hemorrhaging money, so much, in fact, that there are plans to close the Fred Enke course. Perhaps the decision is due to lack of use, higher cost of maintenance, or the simple fact that it is on the 'Southside' of the City. If its just a matter of money... freeing up funds to keep the system open... then ANY of the courses could be closed, and the savings spread across the entire system. Close Fred Enke? Lets consider other options.
Unlike many other of the region's cities, Tucson has no core attractions aside from the Tucson Botanical Gardens. DeGrazia Gallery is 'north-ish', Pima Air and Space is more 'south-ish', Colossal Cave is far east, and the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson are far west. The Kino Sports Complex... soon to be little used with the sale of the Tucson Padres... was built near the Interstate with accessibility in mind. After all, its there for Spring Training, and those folks coming down from Phoenix need the Complex to be easily accessed... oh yeah, WHAT SPRING TRAINING?
I know, there are a number of fine museums near the U of A, and the Children's Museum is downtown, but as the city has grown, these attractions can hardly be considered 'core' attractions. "But, wait, Tucson Trooper, you forgot the Reid Park Zoo and the Rose Garden!" Au contraire, I saved them for last. They easily DO qualify as a core attraction, along with Hi Corbett Field, and I feel that they could become the seed from which something great can grow!
I know the history of the Randolph Golf Complex. It has long been considered the flagship of the Tucson Municipal Golf scene, and was originally set-up for PGA and LPGA tournaments, but these days are past. I contend that THIS is the course that should be considered for closing. Currently, the Zoo stands at roughly 17 acres, a small fraction of the open space. The park area... playgrounds, ramadas, duck ponds, etc... also take up a small fraction of space. The Rose Garden? minuscule.
The Hi Corbett complex is pretty substantial, and is finally being leased by the U of A for NCAA Baseball, but this is for a relatively brief time throughout the year, and thanks to the way the city handled THIS situation, the Toros are a thing of the past. Then there is the Randolph Golf Complex... fully two-thirds of the available space (including the Tennis Complex) that, in my opinion, could be better used as a true, Tucson core attraction!
Imagine it... Open spaces with more park facilities, museums (from the U of A, perhaps... freeing up space for their own campus expansion plans?), a further expanded Tucson Zoo, and perhaps even re-locate the Children's Museum... after all, while they have a great, historic site downtown, there is NO possibility for them to expand, something that they may need to consider for future viability. Surround the property with a really cool, quaint transportation system courtesy of the Old Pueblo Trolley, whose ability to operate their historic people movers on 4th Ave. are forever terminated since the establishment of our soon to be completed Modern Trolley... another short-sighted decision by our waffling City Council.
Such a complex would be neighborhood friendly, would, in the long-run, generate capital, and could be touted as a tourism linchpin for our community. Had such a plan been implemented some time back (perhaps after the loss of the PING - Welch's LPGA event?) it could have resulted in a developmental 'shot in the arm' for the old El Con Mall complex... perhaps along the lines of La Encantada... when the real estate market was still booming. Other nearby facilities could be encouraged to operate satellite attractions here... imagine Tucson Botanical Gardens having a BIG garden on-site, while their current location could be used for their administrative offices, educational facilities, and a growing site for new garden development.
And what about the once promised aquarium downtown? (I know, Mr. and Mrs. Grammar Persons, I started the last sentence with a preposition... it's my Blog and I'll mess it up if I want to!) This bait and switch pawn, used to get a YES vote from city residents for the Rio Nuevo boondoggle, could be built here as a joint Tucson Zoo / ASDM attraction, and the other Rio Nuevo Pawn, the U of A Science Center, would be at home here too!
Such a complex would presumably be safe... given the proximity of the William K. Hardesty Police Station on the SE corner of the property... and the ample open properties at Alvernon and 22nd and other surrounding areas, would quickly become sites for lodging, dining, and shopping. There are nearby access points to Aviation Parkway, and as anyone can tell you, 22nd Street is an easily traversed route from I-10. Then, if we can get the powers-that-be to think outside the box, a Modern Trolley connection to this site could be affected.
Now, the big questions... should we do it? Is it worth it? Can it be accomplished, given the City's track record with Rio Nuevo? Am I missing a part of this picture? Will the Golf Mafia send me a bucket of balls? Will the nearby Neighborhood Associations brand me a trouble maker? This is where you, the readers, have a voice. PLEASE feel free to comment on this posting, forward it to your friends, enemies, neighbors, and elected officials! If any of you are personal friends with our local talk-radio personalities, encourage them to log-on, if only for a laugh!
I'm not trying to get rich or famous. I don't want anything to do with county or city politics. I just want to see our city improve...
So let's get started!
Recently, it has been reported that Tucson's municipal golf system is hemorrhaging money, so much, in fact, that there are plans to close the Fred Enke course. Perhaps the decision is due to lack of use, higher cost of maintenance, or the simple fact that it is on the 'Southside' of the City. If its just a matter of money... freeing up funds to keep the system open... then ANY of the courses could be closed, and the savings spread across the entire system. Close Fred Enke? Lets consider other options.
Unlike many other of the region's cities, Tucson has no core attractions aside from the Tucson Botanical Gardens. DeGrazia Gallery is 'north-ish', Pima Air and Space is more 'south-ish', Colossal Cave is far east, and the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum and Old Tucson are far west. The Kino Sports Complex... soon to be little used with the sale of the Tucson Padres... was built near the Interstate with accessibility in mind. After all, its there for Spring Training, and those folks coming down from Phoenix need the Complex to be easily accessed... oh yeah, WHAT SPRING TRAINING?
I know, there are a number of fine museums near the U of A, and the Children's Museum is downtown, but as the city has grown, these attractions can hardly be considered 'core' attractions. "But, wait, Tucson Trooper, you forgot the Reid Park Zoo and the Rose Garden!" Au contraire, I saved them for last. They easily DO qualify as a core attraction, along with Hi Corbett Field, and I feel that they could become the seed from which something great can grow!
I know the history of the Randolph Golf Complex. It has long been considered the flagship of the Tucson Municipal Golf scene, and was originally set-up for PGA and LPGA tournaments, but these days are past. I contend that THIS is the course that should be considered for closing. Currently, the Zoo stands at roughly 17 acres, a small fraction of the open space. The park area... playgrounds, ramadas, duck ponds, etc... also take up a small fraction of space. The Rose Garden? minuscule.
The Hi Corbett complex is pretty substantial, and is finally being leased by the U of A for NCAA Baseball, but this is for a relatively brief time throughout the year, and thanks to the way the city handled THIS situation, the Toros are a thing of the past. Then there is the Randolph Golf Complex... fully two-thirds of the available space (including the Tennis Complex) that, in my opinion, could be better used as a true, Tucson core attraction!
Imagine it... Open spaces with more park facilities, museums (from the U of A, perhaps... freeing up space for their own campus expansion plans?), a further expanded Tucson Zoo, and perhaps even re-locate the Children's Museum... after all, while they have a great, historic site downtown, there is NO possibility for them to expand, something that they may need to consider for future viability. Surround the property with a really cool, quaint transportation system courtesy of the Old Pueblo Trolley, whose ability to operate their historic people movers on 4th Ave. are forever terminated since the establishment of our soon to be completed Modern Trolley... another short-sighted decision by our waffling City Council.
Such a complex would be neighborhood friendly, would, in the long-run, generate capital, and could be touted as a tourism linchpin for our community. Had such a plan been implemented some time back (perhaps after the loss of the PING - Welch's LPGA event?) it could have resulted in a developmental 'shot in the arm' for the old El Con Mall complex... perhaps along the lines of La Encantada... when the real estate market was still booming. Other nearby facilities could be encouraged to operate satellite attractions here... imagine Tucson Botanical Gardens having a BIG garden on-site, while their current location could be used for their administrative offices, educational facilities, and a growing site for new garden development.
And what about the once promised aquarium downtown? (I know, Mr. and Mrs. Grammar Persons, I started the last sentence with a preposition... it's my Blog and I'll mess it up if I want to!) This bait and switch pawn, used to get a YES vote from city residents for the Rio Nuevo boondoggle, could be built here as a joint Tucson Zoo / ASDM attraction, and the other Rio Nuevo Pawn, the U of A Science Center, would be at home here too!
Such a complex would presumably be safe... given the proximity of the William K. Hardesty Police Station on the SE corner of the property... and the ample open properties at Alvernon and 22nd and other surrounding areas, would quickly become sites for lodging, dining, and shopping. There are nearby access points to Aviation Parkway, and as anyone can tell you, 22nd Street is an easily traversed route from I-10. Then, if we can get the powers-that-be to think outside the box, a Modern Trolley connection to this site could be affected.
Now, the big questions... should we do it? Is it worth it? Can it be accomplished, given the City's track record with Rio Nuevo? Am I missing a part of this picture? Will the Golf Mafia send me a bucket of balls? Will the nearby Neighborhood Associations brand me a trouble maker? This is where you, the readers, have a voice. PLEASE feel free to comment on this posting, forward it to your friends, enemies, neighbors, and elected officials! If any of you are personal friends with our local talk-radio personalities, encourage them to log-on, if only for a laugh!
I'm not trying to get rich or famous. I don't want anything to do with county or city politics. I just want to see our city improve...
So let's get started!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Let's Get Started!
Well, another election year is over, and it already seems the next one is close at hand. It always seems that we in Pima County, and the City of Tucson in particular, and inundated with politicians and bureaucrats constantly shuffling about one-another, trying desperately to gain a foothold in the limelight. This may be pretty common throughout our nation, especially in these trying social and economic times. But in Tucson, we, the People, seem to be the ones who pay the price.
I've been considering writing this blog for some time now, but have always found other things to do with my time. I have no interest politics, though I do find political wrangling very annoying. Debate is healthy, and we can learn from it, but the vitriol that accompanies such debated I find meaningless. It is not my attempt to add to this flotsam and jetsam, but to separate myself from it, and in the process, present some ideas on how our great city, and the surrounding areas, can be improved. Ideas that we, as citizens, can work toward enacting.
Today, in the Arizona Daily Star, an article mentioned the city's move toward improving the condition of the landscaping along our surface streets and in the medians. For the last several years, this has been a pet peeve of mine as I've seen countless dead and dying trees, overgrown thickets of shrubs, emaciated agave and saguaro cacti, and tons of trash and litter.
The city leaders claim this is the result of a dilapidated irrigation system sorely in need of repair. They claim that budget constraints forced them to defer maintenance, but that now, there is little choice but to make the repairs in order to improve our city's image. I say, hogwash! As any homeowner will tell you, to delay important maintenance and repairs now, will result in much more expensive corrections down the road. Its easy to assume that there will be more money in the future to fix these problems, but as a wise man once said, "To assume only makes an 'ass' of 'u' and 'me.'
This is exactly what our City Council has done. They've kicked the can down the road about as far as they can, and now its time to finally do something constructive. My fear is, once the assessment of the system's condition is released to the council, we will all be made 'asses.' I predict that the cost of repairs will be astronomical, the city council, in a rush to make themselves look good (under the guise that they are, in fact, trying to make the city look good) will re-appropriate funds to begin the work, and will then attempt to place a proposition on next ballot to fund the remaining repairs. I hope and pray I'm wrong, but city history seems to support my prediction.
Is there something we can do about it? Well, I have a few ideas...
Cruise anywhere throughout this great country of ours, and you'll notice small green signs dotting our freeways... "Adopt-a-highway / Loyal Order of Such and Such / Next 2 Miles" In many places, this seems to have worked quite well. Perhaps not so much in Arizona, where our seasonal inferno keeps all but the most dedicated volunteers indoors, but elsewhere you can spot small groupings of orange, red, or yellow refuse bags bordering the highways where some group of well-meaning, civic minded people tried their best to make a difference.
How about applying this same idea to our city streets! Sure, it won't do much to fix our undermined irrigation system, but by relieving labor pressure on our threadbare city departments, we can free them up to focus on those things far above the abilities of most volunteers. It will also free up some of our thin budgets, and will go a long way toward beautifying our city. By cleaning up the garbage, trimming and thinning trees and shrubs, and making minor repairs where possible, this army of volunteers could really make a difference!
The program could then be expanded to include citizens' councils to assist is certain aspects of planning and logistics, plant propagation (using excess plants harvested from volunteer clean-up activities) and better plant selection to avoid noxious plants that were once commonly used in municipal landscape designs.
By teaming up with already established organizations like Trees Please Tucson, the Arizona Cactus and Succulent Research Center, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, among many, such a program could be quickly and effectively established to the greater benefit of our community. Had such a program already been in place, perhaps we wouldn't have to be discussing the need for a city-wide assessment and overhaul, but instead, we could be discussing the great savings that were realized thanks to our hard working citizens. Savings which could have been applied to... oh, perhaps our roads!? Nah, who needs to save money for that, after all, we just increased our citizens' property tax!
So where do we go from here?
For starters, tell your friends and family about this blog... comment on it, add your ideas with respect to this topic, and then spread the word to all of your civic organizations, as well as the city council. If there is a groundswell of support for such a program, then the powers that be will HAVE to listen. I'm sure at first, there will be bureaucratic naysayers who will come up with excuses as to why these programs can't or won't work. They feel that they have a monopoly on ideas, no matter how flawed they turn out to be. They don't like the competition, but we have sheer numbers on our side! So... Let's Get Started!
I've been considering writing this blog for some time now, but have always found other things to do with my time. I have no interest politics, though I do find political wrangling very annoying. Debate is healthy, and we can learn from it, but the vitriol that accompanies such debated I find meaningless. It is not my attempt to add to this flotsam and jetsam, but to separate myself from it, and in the process, present some ideas on how our great city, and the surrounding areas, can be improved. Ideas that we, as citizens, can work toward enacting.
Today, in the Arizona Daily Star, an article mentioned the city's move toward improving the condition of the landscaping along our surface streets and in the medians. For the last several years, this has been a pet peeve of mine as I've seen countless dead and dying trees, overgrown thickets of shrubs, emaciated agave and saguaro cacti, and tons of trash and litter.
The city leaders claim this is the result of a dilapidated irrigation system sorely in need of repair. They claim that budget constraints forced them to defer maintenance, but that now, there is little choice but to make the repairs in order to improve our city's image. I say, hogwash! As any homeowner will tell you, to delay important maintenance and repairs now, will result in much more expensive corrections down the road. Its easy to assume that there will be more money in the future to fix these problems, but as a wise man once said, "To assume only makes an 'ass' of 'u' and 'me.'
This is exactly what our City Council has done. They've kicked the can down the road about as far as they can, and now its time to finally do something constructive. My fear is, once the assessment of the system's condition is released to the council, we will all be made 'asses.' I predict that the cost of repairs will be astronomical, the city council, in a rush to make themselves look good (under the guise that they are, in fact, trying to make the city look good) will re-appropriate funds to begin the work, and will then attempt to place a proposition on next ballot to fund the remaining repairs. I hope and pray I'm wrong, but city history seems to support my prediction.
Is there something we can do about it? Well, I have a few ideas...
Cruise anywhere throughout this great country of ours, and you'll notice small green signs dotting our freeways... "Adopt-a-highway / Loyal Order of Such and Such / Next 2 Miles" In many places, this seems to have worked quite well. Perhaps not so much in Arizona, where our seasonal inferno keeps all but the most dedicated volunteers indoors, but elsewhere you can spot small groupings of orange, red, or yellow refuse bags bordering the highways where some group of well-meaning, civic minded people tried their best to make a difference.
How about applying this same idea to our city streets! Sure, it won't do much to fix our undermined irrigation system, but by relieving labor pressure on our threadbare city departments, we can free them up to focus on those things far above the abilities of most volunteers. It will also free up some of our thin budgets, and will go a long way toward beautifying our city. By cleaning up the garbage, trimming and thinning trees and shrubs, and making minor repairs where possible, this army of volunteers could really make a difference!
The program could then be expanded to include citizens' councils to assist is certain aspects of planning and logistics, plant propagation (using excess plants harvested from volunteer clean-up activities) and better plant selection to avoid noxious plants that were once commonly used in municipal landscape designs.
By teaming up with already established organizations like Trees Please Tucson, the Arizona Cactus and Succulent Research Center, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, and The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, among many, such a program could be quickly and effectively established to the greater benefit of our community. Had such a program already been in place, perhaps we wouldn't have to be discussing the need for a city-wide assessment and overhaul, but instead, we could be discussing the great savings that were realized thanks to our hard working citizens. Savings which could have been applied to... oh, perhaps our roads!? Nah, who needs to save money for that, after all, we just increased our citizens' property tax!
So where do we go from here?
For starters, tell your friends and family about this blog... comment on it, add your ideas with respect to this topic, and then spread the word to all of your civic organizations, as well as the city council. If there is a groundswell of support for such a program, then the powers that be will HAVE to listen. I'm sure at first, there will be bureaucratic naysayers who will come up with excuses as to why these programs can't or won't work. They feel that they have a monopoly on ideas, no matter how flawed they turn out to be. They don't like the competition, but we have sheer numbers on our side! So... Let's Get Started!
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