Of course, saving the monastery, makes the project thematic.  That theme is either one of blending or clever contrast.  This looks like a competitive theme of old vs new; like the Benedictine Monastery surrounded by medical dorms.  The new forms are not clever, nevertheless, pleasant in and of themselves.  In any case, the shear mass that surrounds the monastery can’t help but steal the show.  Clever contrast or sensitive blending would be a bigger challenge.  The architect could start by touching the new and old at the ground plane with a friendly gesture.  By the way, when is the last time we celebrated our architectural heritage in new significant architecture?  Here is an opportunity to revere a Tucson treasure.

Plan unveiled for 7-story apartments beside Benedictine Monastery | Business News | tucson.com

Durham: Why I voted to OK new tower on Palm Shadows site | Guest opinion

Here are (3) links to current  critical documents in downloadable PDF.

1) Cook Study  2)  Caywood Analysis  3)  Historical Commission’s Response

Mayor and Council will likely vote to defer approval of the 74M  30% RTA plan for further study to correct serious problems on April 19, 5:30 @ M&C chambers.  Check for meeting location.  Under desperate inside pressure, they can also vote to move forward on the flawed plan.   Check out the above links.  The plan on the table  is a downtown killer.  The RTA is pushing an “effective” 8 lane plan that disguises itself as a 6 lane context sensitive plan. The 16  bus pullouts split over both sides of the short stretch invalidate  outside lanes 5 & 6 as “bus” lanes.  So, why does the RTA want 6 traffic lanes of in & out of downtown  at the end of Broadway?  This moves more traffic to a bottleneck @ 4th Avenue  & Congress.

What about the “downtown congestion stigma”?  The west end of the Broadway Corridor is an opportunity we need to jump on, hard.  An intentional urban corridor for both cars and pedestrians can be part of the destination; a collection promenade; a narrow continuous rubber tired shuttle system to all points with 3 minute leads.  It is an obvious extension of the downtown business explosion we see before us.  We can coat tail on to this economic phenomena; making a worthy urban destination more accessible to all.  Think about the 16th St. Denver Mall and then imagine an urban concept, even greater without  compromise to the vehicular access we currently enjoy; but vastly smarter than the blinded 75M 30% plan.

It has been said before, that in assuring the positive outcome of good deal. You have to be able to walk. The question here, is should we walk? We didn’t do it before and we suffer the consequences over and over. Here a $74M over-design makes no sense in the face of a crippling city budget deficit. Tucson needs to walk away from what’s on the table and figure out how to keep valuable staff employed and save tax revenue.  Here is some good reasoning for walking on the deal currently on the table.  Read this clickable excellent editorial by Bob Vint in the Daily Star.  Broadway renovation plan needs a redo   This a deal that many city leaders want to walk away from but has its argument as well.  Please view Tim Steller’s point of view which is not supported by this blog:  City’s New Broadway Widening….

Here is Bob’s full text if you want to view it on this page:  Something must be done with Broadway. The main entrance to our downtown from the east is shabby, neglected and ripe for redevelopment. It should be an inviting gateway to our revitalizing city center, an extension of that vitality into the city. How best to accomplish this? Continue Reading »

Please view:   City to decide which Broadway buildings will be razed for widening

This the latest and 4th student Infill housing project under construction at the north-west corner of the university, bringing the bed count at this location to over 2000 higher end luxury student bedroom rentals.  Construction of six-story complex to be complete by fall 2016.  The Hub-2 is the smallest and half the height of the previous 3 towers.  Please view the link in the Arizona Daily Star:  Hub high-rise getting smaller companion near UA

Gas, is $2.03 a gallon and the Broadway Corridor moves into design development with no bus lanes. The Mayor and Council appointed, Broadway Corridor Task Force (CTF), recommended 6 lanes, two of which shall be for transit.  What is wrong with this picture.  Why have a CTF?  RTA officials explain it away saying its a  misunderstanding of sorts, depending on who you talk to.  Next City provides daily online coverage of the leaders, policies and innovations driving progress in metropolitan regions across the world.  Tucson Bus Rider’s Union, Suzanne, found this article in their online publication that talks about one of Tucson’s premier arterials; the Broadway Corridor.  It puts a perspective on the topic:  Tucson and the Case of the Missing Bus Lanes – Next City.

TRRG, Tucson Residents for Responsive Government, set sail in May of 2013 to focus entirely on process in Tucson from the perspective of the people who live here.  It is a grassroots organization that responded to years of failed process.  A big part of TRRG’s philosophy is to doggedly remain focused process building between residents and their government.  That notion promises success as TRRG looks to be a powerful influence in elevating dialogue between our government and those it serves.  It starts with understanding what that is.   This Saturday, 9/27/14, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, TRRG is facilitating a free education forum at the Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E. 1st Street.  Acting City Manager, Martha Durkin is a special guest.  The forum is in two parts;  1) The City Charter and 2) The City Manager’s Office.  All are invited encouraged to intend.  

Permitting Infill and adaptive reuse projects in the core of Tucson usually means justifying a new use entitlement in areas that are older and filled with hurdles that smaller initiatives can not clear easily; often not at all.   As neighborhoods force the City to re-examine friendlier policies on incentives in the GIID (Greater Infill Incentive District), It doesn’t promise to get easier.  Developers know that early non-committal  feedback can be derived Tuesday afternoons in a pre-submittal meeting with core planning reviewers.  How big would it be to elevate this service to a more integrative and committed process for all building and development issues; starting core infill and adaptive reuse.  The City Manager’s Office, Jame’s McAdam, is looking at aspects of infill development as we speak, probing issues with planning and the economics initiatives office and PDSD.  I forwarded a proposal before this initiative began with the idea of to seeding some examination of permitting and entitlement for smaller infill projects in the core.  See what you think about this process oriented proposal.  View.  Integrative Permitting and Entitlement

I’d like to quote my friend,  David Eisenberg,  “We need regulations that respond to particular places and recognize the possibility of good news-that if done in a deeply integrated and caring way, development can enhance and even help restore and regenerate damaged places”  I would add to regulations, the notion of mindsets and policies

The results of Jarrett Walker’s trip to Tucson on July 11th.  Here is what he said after taking a look at the old Pueblo:  “This map is important!  It shows where transit is useful to people in a hurry, people who don’t have time to wait long.  It’s also usually the backbone on which future expansion will be built, and a logical focal point for location choices, and thus development, for people and organizations that want or need to rely on transit.  The network includes several major bus lines as well as the soon-to-open streetcar.  It also shows the promising beginnings of a high-frequency grid”  Check out Jarrett’s blog:  Human Transit