Tucson Development Thread

[kaneui]

Originally Posted by hthomas

3. The Franklin Docks are picking up momentum again...Town West originally sat on the project too long, then tried to lower the heights for the buildings, so the project was killed, I believe the City is starting the process again...
http://www.dunbarspring.org/neighbor...ks-development

If you read the link info. closely, the city is looking to develop Block 175--the city block across from El Charro currently used as a parking lot. The community meeting on April 14 will be soliciting comments on a draft RFQ/RFP for the site.

As for the Franklin Docks site (where the former El Mirador project was proposed), those renders from Town West were from 2012, so I doubt that their proposal is moving forward. I'm guessing the city will wait until the Downtown Links project with the new realignment of 6th St. is finished before they put out a new RFP for that parcel.

[kaneui]

Below is a map from Pima County showing the alignment of the planned Sonoran Corridor, a 16-mile interstate connector between I-10 and I-19 (note how it will connect with the upcoming realignment of Hughes Access Road south of TIA, which is the first phase of the project). The purpose of the Corridor is to:

- provide a shorter bypass to connect I-19 and I-10, particularly for freight and commercial vehicles;
- connect Raytheon and the upcoming aerospace and defense manufacturing park south of the airport with the UA's Science & Technology Park on Rita Rd.;
- provide a southern entrance to TIA;
- connect I-10 with the proposed I-11 that will be a major transportation route for trade with Mexico.

For more info.:

https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx...&pageId=167881

http://azbex.com/pima-county-plans-6...oran-corridor/



(courtesy: Pima County)

[farmerk]

Originally Posted by kaneui

Below is a map from Pima County showing the alignment of the planned Sonoran Corridor, a 16-mile interstate connector between I-10 and I-19 (note how it will connect with the upcoming realignment of Hughes Access Road south of TIA, which is the first phase of the project). ....
[/SIZE]

That area or surrounding it should be a good spot for building MODERN mid-rise or even high rise urban development. There probably would have very little opposition for such development.

[southtucsonboy77]

Originally Posted by kaneui

Below is a map from Pima County showing the alignment of the planned Sonoran Corridor, a 16-mile interstate connector between I-10 and I-19 (note how it will connect with the upcoming realignment of Hughes Access Road south of TIA, which is the first phase of the project). The purpose of the Corridor is to:

- provide a shorter bypass to connect I-19 and I-10, particularly for freight and commercial vehicles;
- connect Raytheon and the upcoming aerospace and defense manufacturing park south of the airport with the UA's Science & Technology Park on Rita Rd.;
- provide a southern entrance to TIA;
- connect I-10 with the proposed I-11 that will be a major transportation route for trade with Mexico.

For more info.:

https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx...&pageId=167881

http://azbex.com/pima-county-plans-6...oran-corridor/



(courtesy: Pima County)

The good sign is that I see interchanges and limited access...therefore, this may be a true "freeway" and not a "parkway", aka Aviation.

[InTheBurbs]

Infill Project Planned for Tyndall/Blacklidge

...Already zoned R-3 for high density housing, the infill project is to be developed in two phases, with 37 two-story, two-car garage homes per phase. There hasn’t been an infill project of this magnitude in Tucson for some time and plans are still tentative pending plat approval.

http://azbex.com/infill-project-enha...entral-tucson/

[Ritarancher]

Originally Posted by southtucsonboy77

The good sign is that I see interchanges and limited access...therefore, this may be a true "freeway" and not a "parkway", aka Aviation.

I completely agree! The documents and news articles seem to use freeway and parkway interchangeably. I was worried we were going to get another Aviation Highway or Kino (which serve their purpose well, respectively) and that would not work for this. I'm excited for shorter commutes to sahuarita and even predict that this will be the biggest growing part of Tucson come 2020.
As for the infill, it's good for Tucson, especially in a gritty area. Everything there looks aged and unkempt, especially the strip malls. Some houses still look beautiful though. I love the landscaping residents have come up with.

[Ted Lyons]

Originally Posted by InTheBurbs

Infill Project Planned for Tyndall/Blacklidge

...Already zoned R-3 for high density housing, the infill project is to be developed in two phases, with 37 two-story, two-car garage homes per phase. There hasn’t been an infill project of this magnitude in Tucson for some time and plans are still tentative pending plat approval.

http://azbex.com/infill-project-enha...entral-tucson/

I saw the "some time" language in this article awhile back and started thinking about other projects. Isn't there a similar development on Glenn between Park and Mountain?

[Ted Lyons]

AC Marriott (hopefully) set to begin construction in early June. Turns out the existing building on the property hadn't been purchased yet.

https://realestatedaily-news.com/ac-...-2016-opening/

[southtucsonboy77]

Originally Posted by Ted Lyons

AC Marriott (hopefully) set to begin construction in early June. Turns out the existing building on the property hadn't been purchased yet.

https://realestatedaily-news.com/ac-...-2016-opening/

That's exciting news.

I have to say this...linking to the planned Tempe Lakefront AC Marriott from the article...the rendering and design of the building is a whole lot better than Tucson's. I know, what I'm saying is just an opinion, but man, our future box-like hotel is eerily similiar to the box-like architecture of the Cadence...just like our new County courthouse is eerily similiar to the new Unisource building.

[Ted Lyons]

Historic Bring Funeral Home Downtown Sells for Repositioning

https://realestatedaily-news.com/his...repositioning/

TL;DR - A company that includes Ron Schwabe and a member of the Dabdoub family bought the property and then sold the parking lot to HSL to add to their row house project on the parking lot just to the north. The building itself will be converted to office space.

[TakeFive]

"Tucson trolley snags top honor from Arizona Transit Association"
Apr 15, 2015 by Eric Jay Toll, Phoenix Business Journal

Tucson’s Sun Link streetcar walked off with the Outstanding Transit Organization award from the Arizona Transit Association during its annual conference this week in Phoenix.

Previously, URS Corporation had received the 2014 People's Choice Award for the Sun Link Tucson Streetcar.

Various other transit awards are also mentioned in the article.

[Ritarancher]

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange...r-to-launchingTucson is looking to make a bike sharing program.

[InTheBurbs]

AZ officials break ground on Hughes Access Road

That was quick.

The ceremony came less than a month after the Pima County Board voted 4-1 to spend $6.6 million to realign Hughes Access Road, which, upon completion, will be renamed Aerospace Parkway...

The project will move Hughes Access Road 2,500 feet south – a long-awaited priority for Raytheon, which in 2010 expanded at its Alabama location after saying space was too limited in Tucson. The county has purchased 328 acres to increase the buffer...

The project is part of the larger vision known as the Sonoran Corridor, which will connect I-10 to I-19 at the University Tech Park. It will also allow for a second runway at Tucson International Airport. The goal of the large-scale project is to induce high-tech and defense businesses to plant their roots in Tucson, making up a grouping of high-tech industries.

http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/...04be33fd2.html

[southtucsonboy77]

Patel thinks Albuquerque is ready for Major League Soccer, Downtown venue

I would be so jealous if they did this ahead of Tucson...

[crzyabe]

Originally Posted by southtucsonboy77

Patel thinks Albuquerque is ready for Major League Soccer, Downtown venue

I would be so jealous if they did this ahead of Tucson...

I hope they do it! I wish that we would consider a stadium downtown or near Streetcar stops. I dont even care if we get MLS. I dont care if FC Tucson stays PDL, the stadium in an area that has food and entertainment within walking distance is the key.

The barriers to joining MLS are getting quite high. I think it is $250,000,000 buy in, a city centered, soccer specific stadium within your first 3 years, and a proven soccer market.

Besides meeting those requirements, Albuquerque is far down the list for MLS expansion. Miami and Beckham have been stalled, LAFC has stalled, Las Vegas had stadium trouble and Sacramento, with their way successful USL team, would come way before. FIFA is already upset at MLS for wanting more than 20 teams and MLS has stated publicly they would top out at 30. If they do happen to reach thirty, it will be 2 teams at a time with 3-4 years inbetween expansions. If Albuqueue makes the list, they will be in the last addition. This means is it 20 years, best case scenario.

I like soccer

[kaneui]

DOWNTOWN UPDATE


The four finalists for the Presidio Park renovation/Jan. 8 memorial (give your comments):
http://www.tucsonsmemorial.org/


The adjacent historic Pima County Courthouse being turned into museum space:
http://www.downtowntucson.org/2015/0...ic-courthouse/


$750k from Rio Nuevo for downtown streetscape improvements to include:
Phase 1: Scott Ave. - Pennington to Congress (sidewalks, benches, planters, street lights, etc.)
Phase 2: banners - TCC & Mercado; public art - Mercado District
Phase 3: SEC of Congress & Scott (sidewalk, planters, lighting, trees, etc.)
Phase 4: Arizona Ave. - put power lines underground
Phase 5: solar lights on Toole Ave.; dawn-to-dusk TEP lights; shade structures at 11 intersections.

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/sirepub/cach...5113308397.PDF

[Patrick S]

Rita Ranch shopping center breaks ground

A 17-acre parcel just south of Rita Ranch is beginning to take shape as a shopping and dining hub for the southeast side bedroom community.
Site work has begun at Las Plazas at Old Vail, at the northwest corner of Houghton and Old Vail roads, with grading, retention/detention, curbs, parking lot lighting and undergrounding of utilities.
The plot of land has been divided into 15 lots ranging in buildable areas from 3,000 to 19,000 square feet. The lots are being marketed for retail and restaurant use.
CBRE Tucson’s Nancy McClure and Michael Laatsch have the marketing assignment on the property.
McClure reports significant interest already, with two lots in escrow and another with a contract out for signature. All three are national operators.

[crzyabe]

http://www.kvoa.com/story/28853618/b...owntown-tucson

Some possible movement on the Westside of I-10

[Ritarancher]

Tucson landed the new Home Goods Distribution Center
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...gytLctM1UmQuDg

[ILikeEyeballs]

http://tucson.com/news/local/govt-an...f84099129.html