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!
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