The architectural art project, called Desert Mosaic, is comprised of 623 square feet of dichroic glass-coated tiles.

The highly reflective, multi-hued glass changes colors and intensity with shifts in vantage points, angles and lighting. Dichroic glass is produced through a high-tech process that was originally developed for the aerospace industry and that involves a thin layer coating of metal oxides created by lasers in a sealed chamber.

Approximately 15,000 3″ x 3″ dichroic glass squares make up the piece.

With County policy requiring the set-aside of 1 percent of a project’s budget for public art, the $317,000 public art component was administered by the Tucson-Pima Arts Council, under contract to Pima County. The policy has been in effect since 1990.

County art projects more typically lean toward sculptural pieces.

But in this case, since the art is installed 48 feet above the lobby floor, it will serve as a landmark to help visitors to Downtown distinguish between the new court complex and other court facilities, such as Superior Court, City Court and federal court.

“It also just brings an exciting sparkle to the space because of its energetic interplay of light,” said County Facilities Manager Reid Spaulding.

The piece was produced by artist Gordon Huether, whose career has focused on large-scale art pieces integrated into architecture and landscape.

Half of the panels were set this week. The remaining half is expected to be set in place the week of May 20.

Pima County Public Library administrators want to make sure that the library will be a safe environment for staff and the public before reopening the doors. The biggest issue is the smoke and burnt plastic odor, which needs to be mitigated.

Pima County Facilities Management is assessing the damage and will put together an action plan to address the issues.

Northwest Fire was able to keep the fire from spreading to any area of the building that contained books and other materials. Interior fire damage was limited to storage areas and a bathroom and is estimated to be between $4,000 and $6,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Our sincere thanks to the Northwest Fire/Rescue District and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response and hard work to protect our library and the surrounding community.

The book drop at Flowing Wells Library is also closed. Patrons who need assistance may call the Infoline at 791-4010 or visit any of these nearby libraries:

• Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Ave., 594-5445
• Nanini Library, 7300 N. Shannon Road, 594-5365
• El Rio Library, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd., 594-5245

About Pima County Public Library
The Pima County Public Library (PCPL), which is headquartered in Tucson, Ariz., enriches lives and builds community through opportunities to learn, know, interact and grow. With 27 public libraries serving Tucson and the surrounding communities of Arivaca, Green Valley, Sahuarita, South Tucson, Ajo, Marana, Oro Valley and Catalina, PCPL provides a wide range of free services that contribute to the economic development of the community. For more information, visit www.library.pima.gov.

Pima County

“We’re creating an asset not just for people to watch professional soccer but to play amateur soccer, for our children to play,” said Ramón Valadez, chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and supervisor for District 2, where Kino Sports Complex is located.

Supervisor Richard Elías, District 5, said the County’s improvements to Kino Sports Complex show “government moving quickly when a great opportunity knocks on the door.”

“By improving these facilities at such a rapid pace, I think we’ve shown our great commitment to our children and our youth and to professional sports,” he said.

The County’s $2.8 million in improvements at Kino Sports Complex will include a grandstand that will seat 1,600-1,800 with an overhang and with additional bleachers for up to 400, a new scoreboard, and restroom and concession facilities at North Field #1. North Fields #2 and #3 will be converted to three fields, and a new main entrance to the soccer fields will be built.

The work is expected to be completed in October 2013.

Greg Foster, a co-managing partner of FC Tucson, praised the County’s efforts to grow soccer here.

“In 18 months, as a result of the County’s investment in this facility, we’ve been able to attract Major League Soccer preseason; our community has been designated a Western hub of Major League Soccer preseason; we are going to be showcased on national TV, on NBC Sports for the final of the Desert Diamond Cup; we will have 10 Major League Soccer teams training in Tucson; we will have the first international friendly ever to be played in Tucson,” Foster said. “We’ve also attracted youth sports,” including the Arizona Youth Soccer Association state league games, the state cup and the Fort Lowell Shootout.

“The County’s commitment to soccer and the pace at which they’ve developed these facilities have made this all possible.”

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The Denmark-Canada friendly match at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Kino Stadium launches 10 days of Major League Soccer friendlies at North Field #5 followed by the Desert Diamond Cup on Feb. 13, 16, 20 and 23 at Kino Stadium.

Home matches during FC Tucson’s 2013 Premier Development League schedule, which begins May 11, will be played at North Field #5.

2013 season tickets went on sale today. Season ticket packages are $100 ($10/game) and will include seven PDL dates plus three additional matches to be determined. The first 1,600 fans to purchase 2013 season tickets will be guaranteed a chance to order 2014 season tickets at the new stadium.

FC Tucson, established in 2010, owns FC Tucson Soccer, Tucson’s top-level soccer team, and the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup. In 2012, FC Tucson was named the PDL Rookie Franchise of the Year. Follow FC Tucson at www.fctucson.com.

Kino Sports Complex (www.kinosportscomplex.com) is home to both the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team and the FC Tucson soccer club. It is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind in Pima County.  It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, a regulation Soccer Stadium (lighted) and four additional fields for soccer, field hockey, rugby, and lacrosse. It is a natural fit for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports; and makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events.

When: 2:30 p.m., Friday Oct. 19.

Where: Curtis Park, 2110 W. Curtis Road, at North La Cholla Boulevard and West River Road

Who: Speakers will include Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson, Southern Arizona Community Sports founder Don Tringali, TMC Vice President Julia Strange, and Brandt Hazen of the Tucson Conquistadores.

For further information, please visit www.soazcommunitysports.org

Repairs and improvements will be carried out at:

• Catalina Recreation Center
• Picture Rocks Community Center
• Ajo Community Center
• Drexel Heights Community Center
• Continental Community Center
• Agua Caliente Bunkhouse
• Robles Junction Community Center
• Thomas Jay (Littletown) Recreation Center
• Ellie Towne Flowing Wells Community Center

Pima County Facilities Management conducted a comprehensive review of all the County’s community centers with the Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department to compile the list of recommended improvements.

The repairs and improvements range from adding two disabled-designated parking places at Continental Community Center to the installation of energy-efficient lighting at four of the centers and include, at various centers:

• Conversion from evaporative cooling to air conditioning
• Roof, ceiling, and floor repairs
• Restroom repairs and renovation
• Security lighting and new fire alarms
• Interior and exterior repainting
• New exterior signage
• Cracksealing and recoating parking lots, drives and walking paths

The work is expected to be completed by July 1, 2013.

Form more information about Pima County community centers, please visit http://www.pima.gov/nrpr/centers/index.htm.

Keep up with Pima County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona.

The first pour – of 3,553 cubic yards – started on June 8 and took eight hours.

Together, the pours will form the approximately one-acre (43,560 square feet) foundation, which will be 25 feet below grade and will support a steel-frame building with seven floors above grade.

The work must be done at night to take advantage of lower temperatures and to avoid traffic problems.  At least 190 people will work on the second pour alone.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted in December to move ahead with construction of the complex foundation and building shell to avoid up to $9 million in anticipated increases in the costs of materials and to address pressing court needs.

Pima County Justice Court is located in three facilities downtown that are too small for current and projected volumes of work and make public security difficult to assure.  The Tucson Municipal Court Building on Alameda Street east of Stone Avenue was built as a parking garage about 40 years ago and was converted to court and office use in the early 1980s.  Its space and design are inadequate.  Co-locating the County and City courts in one building allows for shared spaces, functions and activities, and will reduce the public’s confusion about what building they need to go to for court matters.

Sundt Construction is building the foundation and shell.  The County plans to ask voters in a future bond election to approve funds for completing the building.

To watch a video of the first pour, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjBcyJ4LPRM.

Site of the Pima County/City of Tucson Joint Courts Complex at North Stone and East Toole avenues. Photo by Pima County Communications Office.