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City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter

A LETTER FROM VICE MAYOR FIMBRES

FREQUENTLY USED PHONE NUMBERS Emergency Services TPD & TFD DIAL 911 Permits 791-5550 Housing Assistance 791-4739 TCC - 791-5522 Code Enforcement & Graffiti removal 792-CITY (2489) Trash Pick up & Environmental Services 791-3171 Transportation & Street Maintenance - 791-3154 Tucson Water Billing - 791-3242 Public Info. - 791-4331

During these tough economic times, the focus of the Ward 5 Council Office is the creation of employment and opportunity for businesses to start, development and to revitalize our economic engine. Recently this office had another business forum at the El Pueblo Senior Center to discuss with Ward 5 business owners what has been accomplished and the projects ongoing in our Ward. To those business owners and interested people, who attended this forum, my thanks and appreciation for your commitment and your questions and dialogue during this meeting. Quik Trip, Costco, Circle K, Doubletree and Don Pedros Peruvian Bistro contributed wonderful items of food and water for this forum. Auggie Garcia with CEPHA and the Melissa Black, President of the Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce were present as well for the business forum. Michael Keith, CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership gave an update on the activities and progress for downtown Tucson. A special thanks goes to City of Tucson staff for their work and effort to make this second forum a success: Ernie Duarte, Director of Planning and Development Services who discussed the policy changes enacted by Mayor and Council. Byron Howard with the Tucson City Managers Office for the map and presentation about the accomplishments achieved and projects ongoing in our Ward. Byron also briefed everyone on the ongoing work for the U of A Biopark Project at Kino and 36th. Hector Martinez with the Real Estate Office, discussing future development plans in Ward 5, as well as pending developments with the Bridges Project, including the permitting approval, for a 156,000 square foot, Walmart Supercenter.

Personal Blog at: badger73.blogspot.com Also online at Facebook.com/ richardgfimbres

Liana Perez of the Equal Opportunity Office, discussed the Small Business Enterprise program and Christini Parisi, with the Tucson City Managers Office briefed the crowd on the Ward 5, Tucson Means Business Forum to be held this Fall. During the meeting, Ernie Duarte stated that since the changes to the Certificate of Occupancy program in August 2010, more than 67 new businesses have been formed and

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started within the City of Tucson. More than $294 million in commercial development and construction permits have been issued since these changes, as well as the reforming of the Land Use Code, through actions taken by this Mayor and Council. This is a start in revitalizing Ward 5s and the City of Tucsons economic engine, through the actions of the Ward 5 office, as well as the other five Council offices and the Mayor. WARD 5 COMPANY WINS CONTRACT The Ashton Construction Company, located in Ward 5, was declared the winner through the City of Tucson, competitive bidding process, and will receive the contract to construct the Cushing Street Bridge for the Modern Streetcar. This $6 million dollar project will potentially employ 97 local people on this first phase of this transportation project, funded solely through federal grants. Congratulations to the Ashton Company for their work on previous projects and their upcoming work on the Cushing Street Bridge. OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Ward - 5 4300 S. Park Avenue Tucson Arizona 85714

http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/ wardfive

In the past month, two new locations for businesses have opened up, a Dollar General Store on 22nd Street as well as a Circle K store at the intersection of Ajo and Park. More than two dozen positions have been created due to the opening of these stores. Construction is ongoing for another Dollar General Store, to be located on 36th Street. MORE DEVELOPING NEWS During the June 28, Mayor and Council meeting, approval was given for the JWR/ Landmark Development project for Park Avenue, from 22nd to 24th. This is a 188 unit, gated cottage student housing $30 million, privately funded project. This project was review and approved by the South Park and Millville Neighborhood Association boards, as well as the Tucson Urban League. Local contractors and constructions companies will be bidding on the work and the developers have stated their intent to Think Tucson First. This project will be breaking down in early 2012 and a completion date of the spring of 2013. WARD 5 COUNCIL OFFICE My office has had the smallest number of people on staff of the respective offices. Thanks to Eileen Contreras, Melinda Jacobs and Mark Kerr, the Ward 5 office has been doing more with less people and has a surplus as well. My predecessor had 6.5 staff positions and a budget of more than $430,000. In addition, my predecessor had funds from Back to Basics, CDBG and Youth Enrichment programs which are no longer available because of these tough economic times and city cutbacks. At the July 6 meeting the Mayor and Council will be discussing what to do with their respective budget surpluses for road repair. My intention is to have the Ward 5 surplus turned over to repair the roads in the City of Tucson.

Ward 5 Council Office Staff Executive Assistant Eileen S. Contreras Council Aides Melinda Jacobs Mark Kerr

Help those who are in need. Give to the Community food Bank. For more information, call 520-622-0525

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL UPDATE

Ward - 5 A total of $219,000 has been raised for the World War II Memorial, through grants and 4300 S. Park Avenue fund raising and this long awaited project can now proceed. Tucson Arizona 85714 Fred Gray, Director of Parks and Recreation, Councilmember Regina Romero, are to be

520-791-4231 520-791-3188 Councilmember Romero switched funding sources, taking the CDBG funds allocated E-mail: ($100,000) and exchanging it with my office, with Back to Basics Funds ($100,000). [email protected] Mr. Gilbert Quintanilla, who had the idea for this memorial, had passed away recently. Now with this development, his dream to honor those Tucsonans who gave their lives to defend this country in World War II, is a step closer. SUN TRAN UPDATE

thanked as well for their work and support for the project, since they were able to get the funding available to proceed.

On July 1, Sun Trans one-way full fare will increase from $1.25 to $1.50, the express fare from $1.50 to $2.00, the day pass from $3 to $3.50, and the economy fare from 40 to 50 cents. The Aero Park fares will remain unchanged. Sun Vans one-way full fare will increase from $2.50 to $3.00 and the economy fare from 80 cents to $1. For more information, call 520-623-4301. New ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) bus stop pads are going at: 22nd/Treat SE, 22nd/Country Club SE with new shelter, 22nd/Randolph Way, Country Club/Silverlake NE, 32nd/Winsett SE. A new custom shelter designed by the U of http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/ A, College of Architecture going in at: Irvington/Campbell SE corner.
wardfive

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY I want to wish you a Happy and Safe Fourth of July Holiday. A reminder, the 15th Annual July 4th fireworks celebration atop "A" Mountain will restrict user access to Sentinel Peak Park for two days, July 4 and 5. The park will be closed all day Monday, July 4th and will remain closed until noon on Tuesday, July 5, to accommodate the 4th of July fireworks display. Walkers and joggers are encouraged to use the nature trail instead of the perimeter road. No one will be permitted near the set-up area for the fireworks display. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Please be aware that a private citizen on behalf of his political campaign has requested via a Freedom of Information the email addresses from all the individual wards in the city to send out candidate information. This is inappropriate, since these emails are used to provide updates on City business only. Unfortunately, our City Attorney has advised us that we are required to release the list. If you are disappointed in this, please call the requestors at 520-971-4481, 520-336-6052. IN OTHER NEWS This past month, the Ward 5 Council Office submitted Planning and Development Services Director Ernie Duarte, Erica Bilbo co-owner of Sunny Daze Restaurant for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Man and Woman of the Year Awards. In addition, Aris Cabrera was nominated by this office for the 40 under 40 Awards.

Personal Blog at: badger73.blogspot.com Also online at Facebook.com/ richardgfimbres

Peace.

Richard G. Fimbres, Vice Mayor and Your Councilmember