Comments for Meet Me Downtown http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown Durband's Urban Update Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:24:21 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on A New Steak in the Downtown Neighborhood by Carolyn Classen http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/18/a-new-steak-in-the-downtown-neighborhood/comment-page-1/#comment-842 Carolyn Classen Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:24:21 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=106#comment-842 Thanks for this update Donovan.  I'll definitely try out the new Steak. Thanks for this update Donovan.  I’ll definitely try out the new Steak.

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by mike_brewer http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-833 mike_brewer Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:16:07 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-833 Don, You know where that iconic broken tile is right? The one between La Placita and Hotel Arizona? In fact most all of them have been broken for about 25 years.  Ward 6 office declared that they would be the first to get some maintenance and beautification for that walkway toward the community center.  We have now lived through six, yes 6, 4 year Council terms and no one has yet accomplished this basic task. And we wonder why the Gem Show wants to boogie? And about the information kiosk that was designed by Jim Gresham and approved by our City Council in 1986! The staff of Ward 6 stated they would get that done too.  Some of us remember promises.  I guess it is true, "the devil is in the details." Don,
You know where that iconic broken tile is right? The one between La Placita and Hotel Arizona? In fact most all of them have been broken for about 25 years.  Ward 6 office declared that they would be the first to get some maintenance and beautification for that walkway toward the community center.  We have now lived through six, yes 6, 4 year Council terms and no one has yet accomplished this basic task. And we wonder why the Gem Show wants to boogie?
And about the information kiosk that was designed by Jim Gresham and approved by our City Council in 1986! The staff of Ward 6 stated they would get that done too.  Some of us remember promises.  I guess it is true, “the devil is in the details.”

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Carolyn Classen http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-826 Carolyn Classen Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:26 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-826 What about College Place (student residences) at 1601 N. Oracle (near Drachman)? I see that they are running a frequent van shuttle service for students at the U of A.  That's about the same distance from the campus to downtown.  College Place is more isolated from activity than downtown would be for student housing. What about College Place (student residences) at 1601 N. Oracle (near Drachman)? I see that they are running a frequent van shuttle service for students at the U of A.  That’s about the same distance from the campus to downtown.  College Place is more isolated from activity than downtown would be for student housing.

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Carolyn Classen http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-825 Carolyn Classen Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:58:27 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-825 I know planters are a small factor but they reflect the ambience of a place like downtown.   Take a look at the lovely flowers/plants in the Rincon Market (2513 E. 6th St.) planters for contrast, which invite customers to stop by to shop and eat.  Thanks for informing us of why several of the  downtown planters have "gone dead." I know planters are a small factor but they reflect the ambience of a place like downtown.   Take a look at the lovely flowers/plants in the Rincon Market (2513 E. 6th St.) planters for contrast, which invite customers to stop by to shop and eat.  Thanks for informing us of why several of the  downtown planters have “gone dead.”

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Downtown Denizen http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-823 Downtown Denizen Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:47:23 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-823 Mark must be a relative newcomer to Tucson. I say right-on to Mr. Durband's list. No one has come up with anything better. I predict a bit of a change on council come Tuesday night. Downtowner Mark must be a relative newcomer to Tucson.

I say right-on to Mr. Durband’s list. No one has come up with anything better.
I predict a bit of a change on council come Tuesday night.
Downtowner

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Donovan Durband http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-822 Donovan Durband Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:00:01 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-822 I couldn't agree with you more about making Congress Street a priority; I've written about that so much over the years that I decided to leave that off my broken record here. I was shooting for a Top 10 of suggestions, but couldn't decide on just 10; it could have gone much higher than 17. I'm glad also that you brought up the planters that are sitting either empty or with dead plants. Thousands of dollars were spent on the pre-cast concrete planters produced by Kornegay Design of Tempe. With the City providing the water, our maintenance crew at the Tucson Downtown Alliance (and then Downtown Tucson Partnership) tended those planters until just over a year ago, but I've heard that the City cut off the supply of water and so the DTP stopped servicing the planters. Given the prominent locations of the planters on the raised medians that abut the roadway, at major intersections, and next to the Fox Theatre, this is not acceptable. One of the Council Members wanted us to add additional colorful flowers to the planters about two years ago and offered to foot the bill for the extra expense; we purchased the flowers over a period of a few months, planted them, watered them, and maintained them, but were never reimbursed as promised. I couldn’t agree with you more about making Congress Street a priority; I’ve written about that so much over the years that I decided to leave that off my broken record here. I was shooting for a Top 10 of suggestions, but couldn’t decide on just 10; it could have gone much higher than 17.
I’m glad also that you brought up the planters that are sitting either empty or with dead plants. Thousands of dollars were spent on the pre-cast concrete planters produced by Kornegay Design of Tempe. With the City providing the water, our maintenance crew at the Tucson Downtown Alliance (and then Downtown Tucson Partnership) tended those planters until just over a year ago, but I’ve heard that the City cut off the supply of water and so the DTP stopped servicing the planters.
Given the prominent locations of the planters on the raised medians that abut the roadway, at major intersections, and next to the Fox Theatre, this is not acceptable.
One of the Council Members wanted us to add additional colorful flowers to the planters about two years ago and offered to foot the bill for the extra expense; we purchased the flowers over a period of a few months, planted them, watered them, and maintained them, but were never reimbursed as promised.

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Mitch Marcus http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-821 Mitch Marcus Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:56:41 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-821 Hi Don, I'm in complete agreement. If you recall, about two-three years ago You and I had a conversation on the begging downtown, I had stated that in San Fran, it is illegal to panhandle within 300 ft of an ATM; effectively clearing out begging downtown. You had reminded me that we do have a statute in place for 25ft. I asked "how hard is it to increase the limit(s)?" What you said then STILL applies: (This from a council member) "We don't want to appear evil to homeless folks." Well, "How's that workin' out for ya?" We miss you Don and we need you. The all-in-one solution seems to be MORE ALCOHOL. More bars...etc. I volunteer at The Loft these days, am finishing up on re-doing their sound systems, we talked this morning about the Fox. I asked "How do they stay in business?  The consensus was "They got a million bucks to piss on, there's no drive to create a revenue stream. " Shameless plug for The Loft here, sometimes it's better to be hungry. Anyway, good to see you're still in town, the minute I can respectfully off my properties, I am gone,  gone, gone. Thanks for the article, Don.   Mitch Marcus           Hi Don,
I’m in complete agreement. If you recall, about two-three years ago You and I had a conversation on the begging downtown, I had stated that in San Fran, it is illegal to panhandle within 300 ft of an ATM; effectively clearing out begging downtown. You had reminded me that we do have a statute in place for 25ft. I asked “how hard is it to increase the limit(s)?” What you said then STILL applies: (This from a council member) “We don’t want to appear evil to homeless folks.” Well, “How’s that workin’ out for ya?”
We miss you Don and we need you. The all-in-one solution seems to be MORE ALCOHOL. More bars…etc. I volunteer at The Loft these days, am finishing up on re-doing their sound systems, we talked this morning about the Fox. I asked “How do they stay in business?  The consensus was “They got a million bucks to piss on, there’s no drive to create a revenue stream. ”
Shameless plug for The Loft here, sometimes it’s better to be hungry.
Anyway, good to see you’re still in town, the minute I can respectfully off my properties, I am gone,  gone, gone.
Thanks for the article, Don.
 
Mitch Marcus
 
 
 
 
 

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Donovan Durband http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-820 Donovan Durband Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:48:05 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-820 Downtown is not overrun by bums. I've spent most weekdays there and many weekends for the last 10 years or so, and it's certainly better than it used to be. The few sketchy characters I see around Downtown, they don't bother me in the slightest. If there is any group of potential residents who would be equipped to roll with the grittiness of a downtown as burdened by panhandlers as you suggest, it would be college students. If I were a college student, I would really dig living downtown; lots of bars, restaurants, music, people-watching, and culture in the area. There are apartment complexes marketed to UA students much further away than 2 miles (it's not even that far between Downtown and the UA campus), such as Starr Pass and the one on Wetmore. The UA campus is landlocked while its enrollment increases. The UA can't grow its footprint anymore; there was just an article in the Star about an out-of-state developer buying land from Michael Goodman, and it has the neighborhood freaked out about a large-scale complex replacing small houses there. Tucson doesn't have enough yuppies to fuel expensive condo gentrification. With the Streetcar coming, Downtown and the UA will seem closer, and student housing would be a natural way to make that connection even stronger. UA students wouldn't be exiled by any means. It would be a much more interesting environment for them than some of the suburban locations where student apartment complexes have been built. Downtown is not overrun by bums. I’ve spent most weekdays there and many weekends for the last 10 years or so, and it’s certainly better than it used to be. The few sketchy characters I see around Downtown, they don’t bother me in the slightest.

If there is any group of potential residents who would be equipped to roll with the grittiness of a downtown as burdened by panhandlers as you suggest, it would be college students. If I were a college student, I would really dig living downtown; lots of bars, restaurants, music, people-watching, and culture in the area.

There are apartment complexes marketed to UA students much further away than 2 miles (it’s not even that far between Downtown and the UA campus), such as Starr Pass and the one on Wetmore. The UA campus is landlocked while its enrollment increases. The UA can’t grow its footprint anymore; there was just an article in the Star about an out-of-state developer buying land from Michael Goodman, and it has the neighborhood freaked out about a large-scale complex replacing small houses there.

Tucson doesn’t have enough yuppies to fuel expensive condo gentrification.

With the Streetcar coming, Downtown and the UA will seem closer, and student housing would be a natural way to make that connection even stronger.
UA students wouldn’t be exiled by any means. It would be a much more interesting environment for them than some of the suburban locations where student apartment complexes have been built.

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by mike_brewer http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-814 mike_brewer Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:50:31 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-814 Attract real developers not arbitragers, and those playing the "eminent domain" game. Attract real developers not arbitragers, and those playing the “eminent domain” game.

]]> Comment on 17 Downtown Suggestions for the New City Council (even if it’s the same Council) by Mark B. Evans http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/2009/11/02/17-downtown-suggestions-for-the-new-city-council-even-if-it%e2%80%99s-the-same-council/comment-page-1/#comment-813 Mark B. Evans Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:31:34 +0000 http://tucsoncitizen.com/downtown/?p=104#comment-813 I'm down with most of these except No. 10. I can see the benefit to downtown retailers having student housing downtown but what do the students get out of it? The opportunity to shoo panhandlers away every day? Daily exposure to the ravages of drug addiction and mental illness?   Putting students two miles away from where they need to be, the UA, is not good for the students. If you want more downtown residents, continue the gentrification yuppification already underway.   And move the services and shelters for the homeless out of downtown (move them to Kino, we could turn the empty baseball stadium into a homeless camp). Bums congregate where they can get a meal, a bath (which seem to be mostly the sinks in the first floor restrooms of the main library) and a bed and where there is a large concentration of people to beg from. Do what New York did and pass stringent anti-vagrancy laws and enforce them. Then people might want to live downtown and patronize downtown retailers.   Exiling students downtown is not the answer. I’m down with most of these except No. 10. I can see the benefit to downtown retailers having student housing downtown but what do the students get out of it? The opportunity to shoo panhandlers away every day? Daily exposure to the ravages of drug addiction and mental illness?
 
Putting students two miles away from where they need to be, the UA, is not good for the students. If you want more downtown residents, continue the gentrification yuppification already underway.
 
And move the services and shelters for the homeless out of downtown (move them to Kino, we could turn the empty baseball stadium into a homeless camp). Bums congregate where they can get a meal, a bath (which seem to be mostly the sinks in the first floor restrooms of the main library) and a bed and where there is a large concentration of people to beg from. Do what New York did and pass stringent anti-vagrancy laws and enforce them. Then people might want to live downtown and patronize downtown retailers.
 
Exiling students downtown is not the answer.

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