Tucson Development Thread - Page 149

combusean · #**2961** Posted **May 4, 2012, 10:17 PM**

I'll cross post the above to Metro Phoenix Transit and Transportation developments.

Patrick S · #**2962** Posted **May 6, 2012, 4:06 AM**

God, I'd love to have high-speed rail, not just from here in Tucson to Phoenix, but an actual system throughout the United States. I'm hoping California breaks ground on theirs later this year or next. I think it's just going to take one line - somebody actually going ahead and doing it - and then everyone will hopefully jump on the bandwagon. Of course, though, the line needs to be successful, which I think it will. The Bosh-Wash corridor (the Northeast - Boston to Washington D.C., but including NYC, Philly and Baltimore, but possibly Hartford and Providence), the midwest (Chicago to surrounding cities like Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Louisville, Columbus), Florida (Miami, Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete), California (San Diego, LA, San Fran/San Jose/Oakland, Sacramento with places like Fresno, Bakersfield in between) and the Texas Triangle (Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington, Houston, San Antonio with Austin in the middle) are where I would start (though the Pacific Northwest - Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC might be a good place too - as well as possibly the southeast, from Raleigh/Durham and/or Charlotte, NC down to Atlanta). I applaud the Obama administration for starting to get serious about this, but they could still do more. I honestly don't know why we aren't getting serious about this type of thing. Report after report shows the projected economic boom from these lines. With interest rates at all time lows, now is the time to fund these projects, plus it will help employment now (God knows the construction sector could use the help), and will lay the foundation for sustained economic expansion in the future. The best economy the world has ever known was the USA in the 1950s, and was partly because of the Eisenhower Administrations building of the Interstate system. This could be a modern equivalent to that. We would be able to move passenger trains off of freight rail lines, meaning we could increase the amount of freight being moved on these lines. Plus, for trips under 500 miles, the time and price of taking HSR is very similar to flying - and HSR is a much cleaner and greener form of transportation, using much less carbon fossil-fuels than alternative forms of transportation.

kaneui · #**2963** Posted **May 7, 2012, 8:06 PM**

A $2.5M expansion/renovation will add upgrades and a third theater to the venerable Loft Cinema on Speedway:

The Loft Cinema plans to buy the land and building of its next-door neighbor, J&L Automotive, converting the building into a theater.
(render: Loft Cinemas; photo: Kelly Presnell )

Big expansion plans at the Loft
by Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
May 6, 2012

Since its conversion to a nonprofit theater in 2002, the Loft Cinema has prided itself on making the most of minimal resources. Now it's thinking bigger, asking for big money and making big plans. The vision: A three-theater cineplex, as well as a back patio with a projection screen for movies under the stars. Movies will run longer to better find an audience, bathrooms and the upstairs theater will be wheelchair-accessible, and the complex will be able to host multiple events simultaneously.

It's a dream that's a long time in coming for the theater's management. "It is a huge move forward," said the East Speedway theater's Executive Director Peggy Johnson. "We're really feeling like we're ready for it. We do so much with two screens, and it's so exciting to have another screen, a bigger lobby and accessible restrooms. We've been really cramped for space, and we're really excited." The Loft plans to raise $2.5 million to fund its goals. To start, the theater will buy the land and building of its next-door neighbor, J&L Automotive, 3251 E. Speedway, converting the building into a theater.

Johnson said the goal is to have the third screen ready to go by November. After that, the next goals will be to renovate the main building - including adding an elevator - and connecting the two buildings, allowing for a larger lobby, box office and concession stand. The connection will also let the Loft move its offices into the theater rather than rent space across the street. The Loft has already raised about $800,000 toward the goal, with much of that funding coming from Cox Communications. "Cox supports the Loft, because it is part of a vibrant arts community and a vibrant arts community is a key part to the economic health of our community," said Cox Communications Vice President Lisa Lovallo in an emailed statement. "The statistics and studies bear it out: Art and cultural institutions create jobs and bring money and resources into the region. And certainly, the Loft is a key part of this vibrancy that continues to make our community a better place to live and work."

Johnson said the shape and design of the auto repair shop lends itself surprisingly well to a changeover into a theater. The new screen will boast stadium seating, allowing for unobstructed sight lines in each row. Construction will repurpose shipping crates as building blocks, and the patio between the Loft and Speedway will become a park of sorts, with trees and flowers. Not that the Loft faithful won't recognize their new cinematic paradise. "The look and feel will be the same, basically," Johnson said. "We're not changing it. ... It's still gonna be funky and have the Loft feel."

Campaign breakdown
How the Loft will spend the $2.5 million it raises

$870,000 - Cost to acquire land and building for J&L Automotive, 3251 E. Speedway, which the Loft will convert into a third theater.

$950,000 - New construction to build the theater and connect the Loft to the third theater.

$350,000 - Renovation, including adding an elevator to the main building.

$330,000 - Adding digital technology to the theaters.

http://www.loftcinema.com/thefuture

acatalanb · #**2964** Posted **May 8, 2012, 7:53 PM**

It's almost summer...ah yes, it's that time of the year. You know what I'm talking about. What could that be

This museum goes well with the modern street car, Obama's high speed rail project, future mid/high rise buildings and my request for a free standing tower and the convento/sports/entertainment complex (under one solar roof with a giant 3D IMAX , of course...gotta see that nice pair of T&A in that giant screen ... in 3D). Imagine a rock concert with this bridge/tower at the background.

Help yourself with the photos and spread the word. Linked it. Share it. Spread the love. Make love with it tonight.

Tucson needs this. Why? Because Tucson is BUTT UGLY!!!

ps: the mayor likes my idea of modular structures. so there might be events in several mini temporary arenas. hope it makes enough to build that bridge, tower and THE COMPLEX . i think it will. womens beach volleyball. womens gymnastics. and yes, cirque du soleil.

btw, whoever posted this facebook site. Thanks. Hint: it's better than internet porn.

Everyone! Marked my words of wisdom!

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT. YOU CAN BUILD IT!!

AWAY NIMBY!! AWAY!!!!

Anqrew · #**2965** Posted **May 8, 2012, 9:34 PM**

https://www.facebook.com/MindOurOwnBusinesses

'Tucson's newest piece of public art, the Bevel Butterfly, was installed yesterday (May 5) at the corner of 6th Avenue and Toole Avenue. Check it out this evening as you enjoy"

and in response to the Rainbow Bridge post, i'd rather use the money it would take to build it, to fill the Santa Cruz with water like Tempe Town Lake. then maybe we could build a low-scale rainbow bridge over the River, it's lights would illuminate and reflect off the water. maybe just make it pedestrian only, maybe something like the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha. (below) Which only cost 22M vs 300M for the Rainbow Bridge.

Ted Lyons · #**2966** Posted **May 10, 2012, 6:35 PM**

http://www.downtowntucson.org/2012/0...artment-scene/

Quote:

WEST CONGRESS IS PRIMED FOR AN URBAN APARTMENT SCENE

By Teya Vitu

Look now and you see the Mercado San Agustín, 30 luxury homes with varying Mexican colonial styles and the six-story senior housing complex now being called Sentinel Plaza in the finishing stages of construction.

Piece by piece, since 2005, the Gadsden Company, at a very measured pace, has given the south edge of West Congress Street just the tiniest sense of what Jerry Dixon and his family have been envisioning for a decade for what they call the Mercado District of Menlo Park and the neighboring Mission District.

These are both roughly 14-acre lots, split by Avenida del Convento, for which Gadsden won the development agreements from the city in 2003 and 2008.

So far, it may be hard to tell the grandiose urban scene they have in mind for the near West Side.

The next 18 months could finally bring West Congress Street the first real taste of the big city urban setting that’s been talked about for a good five years for this near 30 acres of parched desert.

In about a year, Gadsden wants to start building pair of apartment complexes about the height of Sentinel Plaza (formerly called New Armory Apartments). They will be unlike anything in Tucson and more like something you might find in Europe or on the East Coast.

The Monier Apartments and West End Station both will be built around two courtyards, that is, complex in the shape of a figure eight with squared corners.

“We’re trying to make a big city feeling the appropriate way for Tucson,” said Jerry Dixon, Gadsden’s chairman. “We have all fresh air corridors. I never thought you want to be in an enclosed corridor in Arizona. We are preserving the views of the mountains and A Mountain.”

Unlike Mercado District homes, destined for those with six-figure salaries, West End Station and the Monier Apartments will be largely priced for the working class, those within 125 percent of the region’s median income range.

West End Station specs call for a 239-unit apartment complex with 30,000 square feet of street level retail that could include a restaurant, a bank or credit union, and a few other small businesses. One courtyard will be more public in nature, the other courtyard more for residents, with a swimming pool.

West End Station’s height along West Congress Street will be four stories – like Sentinel Plaza a few hundred feet to the east – but will also have five- and six-story sections more away from the street. The complex will sit at the corner of Avenida del Convento, across from Mercado San Agustin, another Gadsden project.

“It’s in proportion with the senior housing (Sentinel Plaza),” said Adam Weinstein, Gadsden’s chief executive. “It’s a larger city mixed-use building.”

Rents in West End Station are expected to range from $502 for a studio and $900 for two bedrooms. The first set of tenants will get a free one-year streetcar pass, Dixon said.

“We are building an urban core that is walkable and enjoyable,” Dixon said. “We have all of the things that you would want to live here and stay there. Every 10 minutes there’s a 90-passenger streetcar right there.”

The streetcar will loop through the Mission District, around three sides of West End Station. The streetcar will reach the Gadsden project via the new Luis G. Gutierrez Bridge that is nearing completion and will carry Cushing Street across the Santa Cruz River.

Concurrent with West End, Gadsden will also start building the Monier Apartments behind the Mercado San Agustín in about a year. Dixon and Weinstein hope to have them both online within six months of each other at the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 at latest. Consistent with all the other Gadsden projects, these will be masonry buildings, not wood frame structures.

The Monier Apartments have been in the works since 2005 and Gadsden Company has renewed and updated its building permits for Monier since 2007. Back then, it was knows as Monier Brickyard Building with offices and commercial projected for the lower levels.

“Ultimately, it turned out the highest and best use is the apartments,” Weinstein said. “The ground floor will be built with commercial infrastructure so it can be converted to commercial.”

Monier will be built with 169 units with rents ranging from $695 for pied-à-terre studios to $1,025 for two-bedroom apartments, Weinstein said.

Gadsden is forming a joint venture for Monier with Holualoa Companies, which owns the Pioneer building Downtown.

“It brings a whole lot of bodies,” said Weinstein, adding that neither Monier nor West End are designed for families, in keeping with the growing trend of single households nearly matching married households across America. “The home owners (at Mercado District) have been waiting for the next density housing to come.”

The West End, Monier and Sentinel projects are a sneak peak for the housing density in store for the Mission District. Three eight- to 10-story housing towers are planned for the back acreage alongside the Santa Cruz River. Timelines for building these towers will be determined once the streetcar is in service, Dixon said.

The 14.3-acre Mission District is in seven blocks designated with the letters A through G. Block G was sold to Senior Housing Group for the 143-unit Sentinel Plaza, which should be ready for the residents of the Armory Park Apartments in fall. West End Station fills Block A, while Monier Apartments are across Avenida del Convento and are part of the Mercado District.

A parking garage is slated for Block B, directly behind West End Station, and Dixon wants to build a boutique hotel on Block C – on the other side of the garage.

The hotel is not immediately penciling out so Dixon and Weinstein have short-term ideas for Block C for the next five years for a possible beer garden or steakhouse.

The Mercado and Mission projects fell victim to the economic collapse and financing freeze, which added years to their projections for each phase of these projects. West End and Monier finally launches Gadsden’s larger scale vision for the Menlo Park Neighborhood.

“It’s just the start,” Dixon said.

See the link for much larger images.

Ted Lyons · #**2967** Posted **May 10, 2012, 6:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anqrew

and in response to the Rainbow Bridge post, i'd rather use the money it would take to build it, to fill the Santa Cruz with water like Tempe Town Lake. then maybe we could build a low-scale rainbow bridge over the River, it's lights would illuminate and reflect off the water. maybe just make it pedestrian only, maybe something like the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha. (below) Which only cost 22M vs 300M for the Rainbow Bridge.

Tempe Town Lake loses up to 1.7 million gallons of water per day in the summer through evaporation. Talk about an environmental nightmare. Do not want.

ComplotDesigner · #**2968** Posted **May 11, 2012, 2:29 AM**

Walmart (Tucson Marketplace at The Bridges)

Ritarancher · #**2969** Posted **May 11, 2012, 3:02 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneui

A $2.5M expansion/renovation will add upgrades and a third theater to the venerable Loft Cinema on Speedway:

The Loft Cinema plans to buy the land and building of its next-door neighbor, J&L Automotive, converting the building into a theater.
(render: Loft Cinemas; photo: Kelly Presnell )

Big expansion plans at the Loft
by Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
May 6, 2012

Since its conversion to a nonprofit theater in 2002, the Loft Cinema has prided itself on making the most of minimal resources. Now it's thinking bigger, asking for big money and making big plans. The vision: A three-theater cineplex, as well as a back patio with a projection screen for movies under the stars. Movies will run longer to better find an audience, bathrooms and the upstairs theater will be wheelchair-accessible, and the complex will be able to host multiple events simultaneously.

It's a dream that's a long time in coming for the theater's management. "It is a huge move forward," said the East Speedway theater's Executive Director Peggy Johnson. "We're really feeling like we're ready for it. We do so much with two screens, and it's so exciting to have another screen, a bigger lobby and accessible restrooms. We've been really cramped for space, and we're really excited." The Loft plans to raise $2.5 million to fund its goals. To start, the theater will buy the land and building of its next-door neighbor, J&L Automotive, 3251 E. Speedway, converting the building into a theater.

Johnson said the goal is to have the third screen ready to go by November. After that, the next goals will be to renovate the main building - including adding an elevator - and connecting the two buildings, allowing for a larger lobby, box office and concession stand. The connection will also let the Loft move its offices into the theater rather than rent space across the street. The Loft has already raised about $800,000 toward the goal, with much of that funding coming from Cox Communications. "Cox supports the Loft, because it is part of a vibrant arts community and a vibrant arts community is a key part to the economic health of our community," said Cox Communications Vice President Lisa Lovallo in an emailed statement. "The statistics and studies bear it out: Art and cultural institutions create jobs and bring money and resources into the region. And certainly, the Loft is a key part of this vibrancy that continues to make our community a better place to live and work."

Johnson said the shape and design of the auto repair shop lends itself surprisingly well to a changeover into a theater. The new screen will boast stadium seating, allowing for unobstructed sight lines in each row. Construction will repurpose shipping crates as building blocks, and the patio between the Loft and Speedway will become a park of sorts, with trees and flowers. Not that the Loft faithful won't recognize their new cinematic paradise. "The look and feel will be the same, basically," Johnson said. "We're not changing it. ... It's still gonna be funky and have the Loft feel."

Campaign breakdown
How the Loft will spend the $2.5 million it raises

$870,000 - Cost to acquire land and building for J&L Automotive, 3251 E. Speedway, which the Loft will convert into a third theater.

$950,000 - New construction to build the theater and connect the Loft to the third theater.

$350,000 - Renovation, including adding an elevator to the main building.

$330,000 - Adding digital technology to the theaters.

http://www.loftcinema.com/thefuture

Good for them, to compete with Century and Harkins. Its getting easier to go local now

Ritarancher · #**2970** Posted **May 11, 2012, 3:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by acatalanb

It's almost summer...ah yes, it's that time of the year. You know what I'm talking about. What could that be

This museum goes well with the modern street car, Obama's high speed rail project, future mid/high rise buildings and my request for a free standing tower and the convento/sports/entertainment complex (under one solar roof with a giant 3D IMAX , of course...gotta see that nice pair of T&A in that giant screen ... in 3D). Imagine a rock concert with this bridge/tower at the background.

Help yourself with the photos and spread the word. Linked it. Share it. Spread the love. Make love with it tonight.

Tucson needs this. Why? Because Tucson is BUTT UGLY!!!

ps: the mayor likes my idea of modular structures. so there might be events in several mini temporary arenas. hope it makes enough to build that bridge, tower and THE COMPLEX . i think it will. womens beach volleyball. womens gymnastics. and yes, cirque du soleil.

btw, whoever posted this facebook site. Thanks. Hint: it's better than internet porn.

Everyone! Marked my words of wisdom!

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT. YOU CAN BUILD IT!!

AWAY NIMBY!! AWAY!!!!

I hope this bridge gets built, and that's my facebook page. Please tell people about it. I hope i can manage to pull in lots of fans

Ritarancher · #**2971** Posted **May 11, 2012, 3:08 AM**

A Santa Cruz lake would be cool but it is strictly a wash. Major flooding would occur in the monsoon if we made it a lake. Rainbow bridge is more practical. But where would we put it?

Ted Lyons · #**2972** Posted **May 11, 2012, 3:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComplotDesigner

Walmart (Tucson Marketplace at The Bridges)

This is from Park? They're making good progress. Does anyone know what the timeline is for the Walmart at El Con? Also, does anyone know what's going into the store next to Ross at El Con?

ComplotDesigner · #**2973** Posted **May 11, 2012, 4:49 AM**

^^
Yes, the view is from Park Ave. I also noticed the construction next to Ross at El Con, don't know what is tho.

Anqrew · #**2974** Posted **May 11, 2012, 4:58 AM**

oh wow i didnt even know they had started the WalMart at the Bridges.

kaneui · #**2975** Posted **May 12, 2012, 8:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Lyons

This is from Park? They're making good progress. Does anyone know what the timeline is for the Walmart at El Con? Also, does anyone know what's going into the store next to Ross at El Con?

Walmart may have underestimated the resolve of the well-heeled El Encanto neighbors--apparently, their lawsuit will be heard in Superior Court on May 21, and they have set up a website to drum up support against construction of the El Con store:

http://www.stopelconwlmrt.com/

Ted Lyons · #**2976** Posted **May 12, 2012, 4:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaneui

Walmart may have underestimated the resolve of the well-heeled El Encanto neighbors--apparently, their lawsuit will be heard in Superior Court on May 21, and they have set up a website to drum up support against construction of the El Con store:

http://www.stopelconwlmrt.com/

Honestly, I don't care if Walmart builds at El Con or not as I've always thought it was a bit overboard considering Target's presence, However, the El Encanto residents have been pests for the mall for decades. They fought for what seemed like years over various issues when the mall first started redeveloping. I have no doubt that they'd have preferred the mall stay virtually vacant even though that probably negatively effected their property values more than heavy traffic.

Anqrew · #**2977** Posted **May 12, 2012, 7:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Lyons

Honestly, I don't care if Walmart builds at El Con or not as I've always thought it was a bit overboard considering Target's presence, However, the El Encanto residents have been pests for the mall for decades. They fought for what seemed like years over various issues when the mall first started redeveloping. I have no doubt that they'd have preferred the mall stay virtually vacant even though that probably negatively effected their property values more than heavy traffic.

while usually i hate nimbys, i would prefer not having a walmart at elcon. probably because im biased against walmart and its....clientele. El con has enough discount retailers in one spot.

Ted Lyons · #**2978** Posted **May 13, 2012, 6:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anqrew

while usually i hate nimbys, i would prefer not having a walmart at elcon. probably because im biased against walmart and its....clientele. El con has enough discount retailers in one spot.

This all goes to picking your battles. NIMBYs wouldn't be called NIMBYs if they weren't overvigilant about issues that don't affect them on a noticeable level.

Fighting the presence of a store that's open 24 hours a day and draws in potentially transient clientele at night isn't so deplorable. Actively preventing the mall from making itself economically feasible altogether is pretty shameful.

Ritarancher · #**2979** Posted **May 14, 2012, 11:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Lyons

This all goes to picking your battles. NIMBYs wouldn't be called NIMBYs if they weren't overvigilant about issues that don't affect them on a noticeable level.

Fighting the presence of a store that's open 24 hours a day and draws in potentially transient clientele at night isn't so deplorable. Actively preventing the mall from making itself economically feasible altogether is pretty shameful.

I really hate walmart, we give them billions of dollars and all they give us is minimum wage jobs without health insurance. Not much to thank. At least Target pays more and has some more benefits. Screw walmart, they have billions of dollars and wont pay employees more than they have to. I am with protestors on this one.

nickw252 · #**2980** Posted **May 15, 2012, 12:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ritarancher

I really hate walmart, we give them billions of dollars and all they give us is minimum wage jobs without health insurance. Not much to thank. At least Target pays more and has some more benefits. Screw walmart, they have billions of dollars and wont pay employees more than they have to. I am with protestors on this one.

+ 1

It's been shown that walmarts actually cost communities/governments more than they bring in in tax revenue due to its employees having to get on public assistance.