Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik called a press conference yesterday in front of the 1st Assembly of God Church, 1749 E. Broadway, which may be demolished should the north section of Broadway be widened into 8 lanes per the May,2006 Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) voter-approved plan. The church was built in 1950 according to Councilmember Kozachiak also known as “Steve K”.

Blogger Pam Powers (“Tucson Progressive”) announced this event (with an online poll): http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-progressive/2012/04/30/public-forum-today-should-rta-knock-down-100-buildings-to-make-broadway-look-like-a-freeway-poll/

The $71 M plan would call for widening of Broadway from Euclid to Country Club, affecting about 115 businesses on the north side, and historic buildings, neighborhoods such as Rincon Heights and Sam Hughes (on the National Historic Registry). Both Presidents of those neighborhoods spoke against the plan.

Speakers last evening at the press conference:

1) Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik
2) Mark Kerr, aide to Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres
3) Colby Henley, President of Rincon Hts. Neighborhood
4) Jessica Shuman, business owner of Kismet, 2627 E Broadway
5) John O’Dowd, President of Sam Hughes Neighborhood Assn.
6) Sid Hirsch, business owner of Hirsch’s Shoes, 2934 E. Broadway
7) Rev. Stuart Taylor, Tucson Bus Riders’ Union,
Eight) Demion Clinco, Pres. of Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation
9) District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias

Video below of the press conference courtesy of John Brakey, Co-founder of AUDIT-AZ:

Also present were: Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham, former State House Rep. Ted Downing, former Sahuarita Councilmember Rosanna Gabaldon, former Mayoral candidate Rick Grinnell, District 3 Supervisor candidate Tanner Bell, former State Senator John Kromko, attorney Bill Risner, former TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer, Brian Flagg from Casa Maria Kitchen, Donovan Durband Administrator from Parkwise, former Green Party candidates Dave Croteau (Mayor), Beryl Baker (Ward 1 Council), Kent Solberg (LD 27 House). I estimated the crowd at about 200 people, many of whom arrived by bicycle.

Steve K said that 15-20 neighborhoods were represented at the press conference, and I recognized neighborhood leaders from: Rincon Hts, Sam Hughes, Colonia Solana, El Encanto Estates, Arroyo Chico, Broadway-Broadmoor, Campbell-Grant, Catalina Vista, even Udall Park Neighborhood out east. Aides from the Council offices of Ward 1, 2, 5 and 6 were present as well.

If you feel strongly about this issue, contact the Mayor/City Councilmembers or your Supervisor at Pima County. Supervisor Richard Elias said yesterday that the citizens had to “force change to happen”, if they felt this 25 year old plan to widen Broadway was not necessary. Many of the speakers requested that the historic buildings be preserved, that small businesses on Broadway not be affected by any widening.

Steve K also noted during this one hour (6 to 7 p.m. on a Monday) that there was no traffic congestion on Broadway next to the church. My husband also told me that he was down there on Broadway (between Highland & Park) that same afternoon between 3:30 and 4 p.m. and there was no traffic jam.

Photo of crowd yesterday at press conference, courtesy of Pam Powers Hannley.

A year ago on May 8, 2010 a bunch of committed people kicked off the first 2nd Saturdays Downtown, and what a huge success that was. And almost every one since then has been fantastic.

The next huge urban street fest is set for next Saturday May 14 (on Congress Street, between the Fox Tucson Theatre and the Hotel Congress).

And here’s the list of the hard working Steering Committee members from their website:

Luke Cusack, Congress Street Clubs
Beth Dell, Beowulf Alley Theatre
Donovan Durband, Ward VI Office
John Flanagan, Flanagan’s Celtic Corner
Nicole Flowers, 47 Scott
Michael Keith, Downtown Tucson Partnership
Danielle Leines, Strongpoint PR
Jamie Manser, Zocalo Tucson Magazine
Fletcher McCusker, Providence Service Corp.
Erika O’Dowd, Cinema La Placita
David Olsen, Zocalo Tucson Magazine
Randy Petersen, KXCI
Julie Ray, Julie Ray Creative
Mia Schnaible, Screening Room
Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Tucson Cowgirl Communications
David Slutes, Hotel Congress

It has continued every 2nd Saturday since, except for January 8, 2011 for obvious reasons when most events were canceled due to the Tucson mass shooting. (And I think I’ve been to every one except perhaps for July, 2010).

Log onto to their website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com. The May 14 event schedule is online, plus photos of past 2nd Saturdays Downtown happenings.

Cinema La Placita will be showing the Walt Disney children’s film “Fantasia” on the large empty wall on Congress Street (between Scott Avenue and Stone Avenue).

And mark your calendars for the upcoming 2nd Saturdays Downtown in 2011:

June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

Thank you to all the steering committee members for all the hard work to keep this popular urban street fest going for a whole year. And what a lot of fun it has been for 12 months!

And here’s the photo gallery of the May 8, 2010 very first successful 2nd Saturdays Downtown (click here.)

Has it only been a year since UA Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Project Management Steve Kozachik was sworn in as the City of Tucson’s Ward 6 Councilmember? He and his staff should be congratulated on their hard work, especially on Rio Nuevo issues.

And Steve had never held public office before, so he had a lot to learn about the City of Tucson’s financial situation. He is a Republican and defeated Democratic incumbent Councilmember Nina Trasoff in November, 2009.

Councilmember Steve Kozachik

Council Office: Ward Six staff
Ann Charles, Council Adminstrative Assistant
Barbara Jacob, Administrative Assistant
Donovan Durband, Council Administrative Assistant
Teresa Olson, Council Administrative Assistant
Christal Ferree, Executive Assistant

Donovan used to write for us at Tucsoncitizen.com (“Urban Durband”) until he was hired by Steve.

Join them for a non-partisan holiday party for all.

Happy Holidays!

Ward 3 Council office is having their holiday event today (no fancy flyer received, just an email notice):

Holiday Event and State of the Ward with Council Member Karin Uhlich -
December 15 – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres from Pastiche. Ward 3
Council Office, 1510 E. Grant Road. A presentation from the Ward 3
Neighbors’ Alliance will start the evening off with their agenda for
the first quarter of 2011.

Councilmember Karin Uhlich

Council Office: Ward Three Staff
Tamara Prime, Chief of Staff
George Pettit, Council Administrative Assistant
Linda Mehall, Office Supervisor
Lisa Ross, Administrative Assistant

This is Democratic Councilmember Uhlich’s 2nd term in office. She defeated Republican incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Kathleen Dunbar in 2005, and Republican challenger Ben Buehler-Garcia and Green Party challenger Mary DeCamp in 2009. She is the Executive Director for the Center for Economic Integrity.

Season’s greetings to all.

Attend either or both of these Council offices’ holiday events, and get to know your Councilmembers.