City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter - May 2018
City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter - May 2018
City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter - May 2018
Ward 5 Newsletter
May 2018
Richard Fimbres
Council Member
Friends:
Ward 5 Council
Office Staff Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and took place after the Civil
War in 1868. People visited cemeteries and memorials to honor those who gave their
Chief of Staff
lives in military service. American flags are placed on each veteran grave.
Mark Kerr
Council Aides In 1882, the name for the holiday was changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day.
Matthew Pate In 1970, Congress changed the observance date of Memorial Day to the last Monday in
Lupita Robles May.
Office Assistant This holiday means a lot to me as a 27 ½ year retired Army veteran. My father was a
Mary Kuchar
World War II veteran and my cousins and other members of my family also fought and
died for this country in the armed services.
Inside this issue:
• Letter from Council- As your Councilmember for Ward 5, I have
member Fimbres worked to instill the values of patriotism in
• GEICO Approved
young people and for them to remember
• U of A Bridges Tech
Park to Proceed those who served this nation in the military.
• Getting Ward 5 Roads
Repaired. I worked to ensure the City works with our
• Pedestrian and Bicycle veterans groups to have a Veteran’s Day Pa-
Safety rade and I am proud to take part, each and
• KC Club Veterans
Recognition
every year.
• Thank You Cards
Given at the VA For the past eight years, during Memorial Day
• YMCA Council of and Veteran's Day, a contingent of elected
Heroes officials, groups and organizations have joined
• Drexel Elementary
me in going out to the Southern Arizona V.A.
• SNAPP Marks 20
Years
Hospital to present thank you cards to veterans at the hospital or getting treatment
• Honoring Christian and the VA hospital staff for their work. More than three dozen schools across Tucson
Soldiers Breakfast and Pima County, as well as groups and organizations, have volunteered to make thank
• Center for Opportu- you cards for our veterans.
nity Announcement
• Raytheon Ribbon Cut-
ting
To remember the 396 Tucsonans of the Greatest Generation, who volunteered to
• Amazon Coming to serve our country during World War II and made the ultimate sacrifice, I worked to
Tucson ensure the completion of the World War II Memorial that is located in Armory Park.
• ICS Ribbon Cutting This was the idea of the late Gilbert Quintanilla, who had served our country and saw
• And much much our community had no memorial to those Tucsonans who served and died in World
more! War II.
• Important Numbers &
Contact Information
Page 2 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
Thanks to my aide Melinda Jacobs, the list of who perished was put together and funds were raised in
the community and governmental entities. This took 8 1/2 years and thanks to the Quintanilla Family,
Melinda Jacobs and my office, the Memorial was built.
Last year, my office received a grant for student summer work projects. Two of the projects I had,
was to have a mural of both the Buffalo Soldiers created, located at the Quincie Douglas Center and a
mural of the five branches of the military, honoring Ward 5 and south side residents who serve and
served this nation, located at the Ward 5 Council office. Both projects helped our young people learn
more about our history, our community and the values of service and patriotism.
My office worked to organize the annual KC Club/Knight of Columbus 1200 Veteran’s Recognition and
Remembrance Dinner held Sunday, May 27. I had the privilege of speaking at the 2018 Memorial Day
Event at Evergreen Cemetery. I want to thank VFW Post 10188 Commander Abraham Rodriguez for
the opportunity to speak.
Thank you to the families of those who served our nation in the military. To all those who served and
made the ultimate sacrifice, God bless you and you are not forgotten and here is the Veteran’s Prayer:
“Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they
were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their
unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country’s
heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they
made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We
respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will
watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray;
Amen. Today, let us remember all of the veterans that sacrificed so much to keep our country safe.
God bless all of our troops and may He watch over them forever.”
Richard Fimbres
Councilmember, Ward 5
I made the motion to approve the proposed rezoning and for GEICO’s new regional office, subject to
the conditions stated by the Zoning Examiner and Mr. Bourn’s letter submitted. Here are my remarks
given about the proposal and the GEICO rezoning.
Page 3 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
Questions have been raised and answered. Concerns have been stated and addressed.
When questions about job training for potential construction positions was brought up, Don Bourn
held meetings with neighborhood leaders and representatives from Borderlands Construction, RCD
and Canyon Design and to host a job fair and hire individuals to learn a construction trade.
When questions about potential positions at GEICO or subsequent companies coming into their devel-
opment, GEICO said they would host a job fair and Bourn would work with the other companies to
follow suit.
The Zoning Examiner has reviewed the proposal as well as the Bridges Design Review Committee.
Both have given approval contingent upon conditions that were set out being met.
Letters of support have been sent in, including: Eastbourne, Retail West and the University of Arizona,
Las Vistas Neighborhood Association and the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association. At the pub-
lic hearing, testimony in favor was given by Willie Blake, President of the Western Hills II Neighbor-
hood Association, James Christopher from the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association, as well as
neighbors and business owners in the Bridges.
In meetings I held with the parties involved, the neighborhoods have expressed their support for the
GEICO project and that Don Bourn said he would work with the neighborhoods on the housing com-
ponent and work with the Bridges Design Review Committee. Mr. Bourn also sent a letter of commit-
ment to work with the neighborhoods, the partners at the Bridges and with City officials on the GEICO
project and the other four parcels, which is part of the public record.
The definite project is the GEICO regional offices and their desire to relocate to the Bridges. Everyone
supports GEICO. There is work to be done on a housing component and further development for
which there is commitment from Bourn to work with all parties involved.
Page 4 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
The Renaissance of Ward 5 continues. I want to thank the four neighborhoods: Western Hills II, South
Park, Las Vistas and Pueblo Gardens for leading the charge for economic development at the Tucson
Marketplace at the Bridges.
GEICO will have 2,100 employees at their new Regional Office and hiring an additional 700 people to
work for them.
The Technology Precinct will include a full service hotel and conference center, a parking structure
and 400,000 square feet of additional office and lab space. The Technology Precinct will feature an
outdoor plaza and public space to serve both employees and the community. The Technology Pre-
cinct will advance development at the UA Tech Park at The Bridges, creating an “Innovation District”
in the center of Tucson.
The Boyer Company is headquartered in Salt Lake City and also maintains an office in Phoenix. The
company is one of the largest full-service real estate development firms in the Western United States.
During the past 46 years, The Boyer Company has developed more than 35 million square feet across
the country, including projects in Arizona.
Page 5 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
The firm currently owns and manages a portfolio that exceeds 15 million square feet of commercial
space. Currently, the company has over $500 million of projects in various stages of development.
The Boyer Company is capable of accessing multiple funding sources that will ultimately provide the
most stable and effective financing plan for new projects. Over the past ten years, The Boyer Com-
pany secured over $2 billion of construction and permanent financing.
“The Tech Park at The Bridges presents a unique opportunity for our company to work closely with
the UA and the Tucson community,” said Matt Jensen, a partner with The Boyer Company. “The
Bridges provides growing and expanding companies with an easily accessible location, access to exist-
ing infrastructure and a location that offers a growing list of amenities. We look forward to working
closely with Tech Parks Arizona as we plan, market and develop the site.”
"With the U of A announcement and the approval for the new GEICO regional office, this will provide
needed jobs to young people. This is changing a long 13 years of desert to opportunity for young peo-
ple, first time home owners and our senior citizens. I am glad we got to the finish line and now it is
time for them to get going for the young people," stated Willie Blake, President of the Western Hills II
Neighborhood Association.
The Renaissance of Ward 5 continues. I want to thank the four neighborhoods: Western Hills II, South
Park, Las Vistas and Pueblo Gardens for leading the charge for economic development at the Tucson
Marketplace at the Bridges. The U of A Tech Park at The Bridges will be a great addition to the area,
creating more jobs, providing services and helping our community.
This committee had considered three different options but voted to consider another option which
would include now unfunded Tucson road projects from the Pima County Road Work Plan.
For Ward 5 roads to be repaired, your voices need to be heard. The BOC’s next meeting will take
place Monday, June 18. The meetings take place at the Mesquite Room, in the Parks and Recreation
Administration Building, 900 South Alvernon Way, at 5:30 pm.
Page 6 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
You can go in person or send your comments to [email protected], Subject Line: 2012 BOC and put
in your suggestions for road work.
My office has given suggestions as well and met with transportation officials, but the more voices that
speak out, the more roads will get repaired.
Also Jesse Lugo, my appointee to the Bond Oversight Committee is willing to speak to neighborhood as-
sociations and groups about Proposition 101. Please contact the Ward 5 Council Office (520) 791-4231
and we will get you in touch with Jesse. Also, he has created a form to report potholes and other road
hazards, which is part of this newsletter.
I scheduled time to be set aside during the May 22 Mayor and Council meeting for the Mayor and Coun-
cil to receive an update on the City’s efforts for pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Sergeant Mikeal Allen from TPD gave an update on the number of citations and accidents. Allen said the
City of Tucson has placed a priority on preventing jaywalking as this is a major contributing factor to pe-
destrian accidents and fatalities.
Page 7 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
In 2017 the Tucson Police Department issued 1096 jaywalking citations which are up from 587 in 2016.
Despite these efforts the number of pedestrian fatalities rose 60 % from 2016 to 2017; pedestrian in-
volved accidents account for 39% of the total number of fatal collisions in the City of Tucson. In 2017,
68% of fatal pedestrian collisions occurred outside of crosswalks and 36% of those fatal pedestrian colli-
sions involved an intoxicated pedestrian.
The Arizona Department of Transportation just completed a statewide analysis of high-crash locations
and determined that 9 intersections met that criterion in the City of Tucson. One way to combat this
issue is to deploy safety corridors which consist of signage and flashing lights. A similar corridor was put
in at 22nd Street south of Santa Rita Park and the results have been a dramatic decrease in accidents of
all kinds in the area as drivers are made more vigilant.
I have been speaking with Karla Petty of the Federal Highway Administration and there are potential
opportunities for funding of safety corridors through the FHWA’s accelerating safety activities program,
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project, and Pedestrian Safety Action Grants. When this
comes back in August for Mayor and Council review, I moved that staff work with FHWA, ADOT and
GOHS for potential grants for safety corridors and for the pedestrian safety action plan to be completed
and for mayor and council to review it and TDOT’s reply to ADOT’s high crash signalized areas report.
I want to thank Dan Eckstrom, Tom Boyle, Lupita Robles, Linda Leatherman,
Ronnie Reyna, Mark Kerr, Mary Kuchar and Jim Rodriguez from the KC Club/
Knights of Columbus for their efforts on this event I also want to thank Cas-
sandra Becerra from Congressman Raul Grijalva's office, Max Dell'Oliver from
Congressman Tom O'Halleran's office for being at the event to present the certificates to the veterans. I
want to thank Congresswoman Martha McSally's office for doing certificates as well for the honorees. I
also want to thank Tucson Troop Support and the American Patriot Memorial for their recognition of the
veterans at the dinner.
Page 8 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
I want to thank the Southern Arizona VA Hospital staff for letting us come out to do this for those who
served our country. I want to thank the staff for their commitment to our veterans. I also want to spe-
cially thank Theresa Maley with the VA who has worked with us on these tours each time we have done
this.
I want to thank State Senator Andrea Dalessandro, Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier, South Tucson
Mayor Bob Teso, South Tucson Vice Mayor Herman Lopez, Tucson Ward 3 Councilmember Paul Durham,
Jeremy Thompson with Senator Jeff Flake's office and the American Patriot Memorial for joining me to
thank those who served this county on this Memorial Day Weekend.
I was informed that I was selected as one of the Council of Heroes, where the YMCA honors specific indi-
viduals for their military service. As a 27 1/2 year veteran of the U.S. Army (Retired), I am honored and
want to thank Priscilla Storm, Michael Reuwsaat and the YMCA for this.
The link gives further details for this worthwhile event. Https://tucsonymca.org/events/military-ball/.
Page 9 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
DREXEL ELEMENTARY
On Monday, May 21, I was one of several individuals and groups for work and
volunteering to help Drexel Elementary.
I want to thank Principal, Eneida Orci, for this recognition of Ward 5's Love of
Reading, Thanking Veteran's and getting students bicycles. The South Tucson Li-
ons and Jesse Lugo and Lugo Charities were also recognized. Volunteering does
make the world a better place.
Gospel Rescue Mission and La Frontera are the anchor providers for this.
Twenty two agencies and organizations are also a part of the Center. I want
to thank Humberto Lopez and Czarina Lopez and the HSL Lopez Family Foun-
dation for their commitment to the Center for Opportunity and to help those
in need. I also want to thank Armando Rios and Omar Mireles as well for
their work to make the Center for Opportunity a reality.
I want to thank Roy Tullgren, Lisa Chastain and the Gospel Rescue Mission, as well as Daniel Ranieri and
La Frontera for leading the effort, which the grand opening will be in the Spring 2019.
The weekend continues 7 pm Friday, June 8 at St. Mark’s Presbyterian with a multicultural performance.
On Saturday morning, Cherie Gray, the executive director of Tucson Refugee Ministry, will lead a work-
shop from 9 a.m. to noon and a banquet will follow at 6 pm. at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites,
5151 E. Grant Road. All sessions are free, and the banquet costs $65 a person.
Tickets for the banquet should be purchased by June 7. For more information, visit rrcontucson.com or
call 790-0866 to purchase tickets.
Page 12 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
I want to thank all the Veterans Organizations and Groups who came out
for the service and took part remembering those Veteran’s who made
the ultimate sacrifice for this country.
Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association - Thursday, June 7 at 6:00 pm at Ward 5 Council Office, 4300 S.
Park Avenue.
Barrio Santa Rosa Neighborhood Association - Monday, June 11 at 6:00 pm, Santa Rosa Library, 1075 S.
10th Avenue.
Campus Community Relations Committee (CCRC) - Tuesday, June 12th at 6:00 pm, Student Union Me-
morial Center, Ventana Room, 4th Floor, 1303 E. University Blvd.
Barrio Santa Rita Neighborhood Association - Tuesday, June 19 at 6:00 pm, Santa Cruz Parish, Good
Shepherd Room, 1220 S. 6th Ave.
SNAPP (Southside Neighborhood Assn. Presidential Partnership) - Thursday, June 21 at 6:00 pm at Ward
5 Council Office, 4300 S. Park Avenue.
Cherry Avenue Neighborhood Association, Saturday, June 16, 10 am, 5085 S. Cherry Avenue.
A fee is still required at the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center pool. Fees there are $2 for adults (18
and over) and $1 for youth. In a Tucson 12 video from last year, learn why kids and families flock to
Quincie Douglas Pool to beat the heat. I have worked with the City Manager to ensure that kids could
swim this summer. For information call 791-4873.
TUL will offer utility services through Grace Temple Baptist Church, 1019 East 31st St., Tuesdays and
Thursdays. For more information, please call TUL at (520) 791-9522.
Page 14 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
Page 15 City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
Important Numbers City of Tucson Ward 5 Newsletter
and
Contact Information Frequently Used Phone Numbers
Emergency Services
Ward 5 City Council Office Tucson Police Department or Tucson Fire Department
4300 S. Park Avenue DIAL 911
Tucson Arizona 85714
Permits
Planning and Development Services Department
Phone: 520-791-4231 791-5550
Fax: 520-791-3188
[email protected]
Housing Assistance
City of Tucson Community Services Department
791-4739
Stay Informed! Tucson Convention Center
Visit our other
791-4101
information outlets:
City of Tucson Code Enforcement
791-5843