CEO Report May 5, 2016
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FINANCIAL AND BUDGET
A. Budget- February and March financials, as well as the final, projected, year-end forecast
for FY 2015/16, will be presented by the Board Finance committee for review and Board
approval. A draft FY 16/17 budget will be presented to the Board for discussion and
approval.
B. Board Contributions- Board member contributions made to date in response to Mike
Kasser’s generous matching pledge challenge include pledges from Susan Gamble, Don
Bourn, Omar Mireles, Jerry Dixon, Renee Morton, Bud Walters, and Karl Zimmel. Thank
you for your timely and critical contributions and your continued support of the
Partnership and Downtown Tucson!
C. Jan Cervelli -It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our remarkable Board Chair
and associate Jan Cervelli, who is leaving us to become President of St Mary’s College in
Notre Dame, Indiana. On behalf of the Board of Directors, DTP staff, and myself, we wish
you the very best in this new exciting chapter in you life, and know you have our sincere
gratitiude for your years of exemplary service to the University, downtown Tucson, and
DTP.
D. Interim and Incoming Board Chairs - Tom Warne has been nominated and approved by
Board vote to serve out Jan Cervelli’s Board Chair term until September 2016. Randi
Dorman has accepted the Boards nomination to become Board Chair starting in September
of 2016. Our thanks to both of these outstanding an accomplished Board members as DTP
begins a new chapter downtown.
E. CEO Search Subcommittee Report- JOBPLEX, the executive search firm hired to conduct
the search for the Partnership’s next CEO, visited Tucson, and conducted interviews with
Board members, area stakeholders, developers and staff. The search firm’s next steps are
to compile the information from interviews, formulate a job description and marketing
tools, and distribute the profile nationwide. The time frame is expected to take 90-120
days.
ADVOCACY
F. Downtown Tucson Energy District – – In 2013, the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) researched and surveyed low-carbon cities throughout the world to
identify key factors in energy efficiency and renewable energy. District Energy systems
emerged as best practice for providing local, affordable and low-carbon energy supply
(UNEP, 2015). The Partnership has been meeting with different stakeholders from the
public and private sector to help promote a Downtown Tucson Energy District. In
February, DTP met with GLHN Engineering to review relevant case studies and determine
next steps for project implementation. The objective of the DED is to target larger
commercial buildings within the district and improve the overall energy efficiency of those
buildings. On May 2 there will be a training day dedicated to learning how to prepare
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building audits, and the chairman of the district Peter Dobrovolny is calling for the
participation of any and all property owners and managers and has hopes to expand the
district Downtown.
G. Scott Avenue Streetscape- Elaine Becherer, the City Manager’s coordinator for the Scott
Avenue Streetscape Improvement project, continues to meet with City and County staff,
area property owners, businesses and downtown stakeholders soliciting input on
proposed one-way and two-way options for the redevelopment of Scott Avenue between
Congress and Pennington. Next steps: presentation to Park Tucson Commission on May
10th for input, and then to City Manager for final consideration and direction.
H. World View Enterprises- DTP added its voice to SALC, Tucson Metro Chamber, Arizona
Technology Council, and others petitioning the Goldwater Institute to reconsider its
opposition to Pima County’s support for World View Enterprises, a Tucson-based firm
hoping locate its global space venture headquarters in Tucson. The letter stressed the
importance of public-private partnerships like World View for creating economic growth
for Southern Arizona. Please see a follow-up article that appeared in Sunday’s Star on the
long-range plans of World View to put Tucson squarely on the forefront of the near-space
exploration economy. View the Arizona Daily Star article regarding World View.
I. Sun Tran Proposed Changes- The City of Tucson has proposed reducing several Sun Tran
route and fare changes including reducing the SunLink Streetcar operating hours. The
proposal would reduce Thursday operating hours to 10pm and Friday and Saturday night
operating hours to 12am instead of 2am. The City will be holding a series of public
outreach meetings through May 17th. The proposed changes, comment forms, and public
meeting schedule can be found on Sun Tran.
J. NEA Grant - Staff met with Kirk Dimond and Courtney Crosson from the University of
Arizona, as well as Susan Gamble, Marilyn Robinson, Emily Yetman, and Jim Glock to
discuss placemaking ideas to apply for a NEA grant. The initial concept deadline is May 6th
with a September deadline for the grant.
K. City of Tucson Mural Selection Committee- The City of Tucson was awarded a grant
from the Tohono O’odham to fund a Downtown Mural Program. DTP staff participated in
the Mural Selection Committee where nine artists were selected to paint murals at seven
separate downtown locations. The Program aims to use art as a landmarks to connect
residents and visitors to public and private areas downtown, beautify public spaces, and
prevent tagging and vandalism. For a list of the locations and artists please read the
Arizona Daily Star article. You can also see the artists in action by attending the May 14th
Second Saturdays and watch the artists paint their murals.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
L. Caterpillar Inc.-The Worlds leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment
announced Tuesday that it has selected downtown Tucson for its new location of its global
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mining and technology center. The new Tucson facility is expected to create more than 600
new, high paying jobs in Southern Arizona over the next 5 years and is estimated to have a
$600 million economic impact to the region. The Partnership was asked by Sun Corridor to
provide downtown economic data including an overview of current and future downtown
projects, and create a new, interactive Google Earth map to be shared by Caterpillar
employees worldwide highlighting the remarkable transformation occurring in our urban
center. Congratulations to Governor Ducey, Sun Corridor, Arizona Commerce Authority,
Pima County, City of Tucson, and others who worked so diligently to bring this Fortune 100
company to downtown.
M. Professional Hockey- Rio Nuevo has announced it will provide $3.2 million to bring the
Arizona Coyotes AHL franchise, the Springfield Falcons, to downtown Tucson’s newly
renovated TCC arena. The arena, which is currently home to the University of Arizona club
hockey team, will be upgraded to meet AHL hockey standards. The franchise, if approved,
will have a major and immediate economic impact on downtown Tucson and southern
Arizona, and is expected to attract hockey fans from the Metro Phoenix area and around
the state.
N. Downtown Development – The AC Marriott, One West Broadway, and Stone Avenue
Homes are the largest real estate development projects currently under construction
Downtown. The Marriott, the first new hotel Downtown in over 40 years, and only the
sixth of its kind in the US. is expected to be completed by summer of 2017. One West
Broadway will bring a second mixed-use, transit-oriented development to Downtown,
providing ground-floor retail, enclosed parking, and 40 residential units. Stone Avenue
Homes, a $4.3 million apartment row-home project by Mike Kasser’s Holualoa Companies,
has begun construction on 25, 3-story apartments along Stone across from St. Augustine’s
Cathedral. The project is expected to be completed by June of 2017. For more information
please contact Ann Lawrence at [email protected]
In February, Rally Point Apartments, on Stone Avenue south of Broadway completed its
renovation of 30 units dedicated to housing at-risk veterans. The Downtown Motor Court,
a LITHC approved 44 unit multi-family infill project two blocks south on Stone from Rally
Point is under construction and expected to be occupied in 2017. The Arizona Hotel on 6th
Avenue is being renovated as a mixed-use residential /retail development, including
second-floor apartments and an expanded floor plan for the Vietnamese restaurant Miss
Saigon. Kudos to the developer Marcel Dabdoub for the beautiful and detailed restoration
of the buildings 1917 historic façade.
O. New Downtown Businesses – 5 new businesses have opened their doors in downtown in
2016, and 2 more scheduled to open this summer. Most recently in April, the muchawaited openings of Charro Steak and Elvira’s took place. Charro Steak, owned by the
Flores family, (El Charro, Sir Vezas), is Downtown’s first steakhouse since the departure of
the Mountain Oyster Club, and features a “ranch to table” menu of locally sourced, grassfed proteins. Tubac-based Elvira’s is an upscale Mexican restaurant known regionally for
its mole sauces and gourmet tequila selections. The Ruben Monroy restaurant features
hundreds of signature glass teardrops hanging from the ceiling in the historic storefront
on Congress. In February, Downtown welcomed the repurposing of the Carriage House
into Janos Wilder’s new, special events space, cooking school, and breakfast venue. In
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January the Littlest Pub on St. Mary’s obtained its microbrewery license to become
downtown’s newest craft brewery. Batch Café opened its doors on New Years and has
been offering Downtown visitors a creative menu of doughnuts, whisky, and sandwiches.
Miss Saigon, downtown’s popular Vietmanese restaurant is slated to re-open by late
summer/early fall in an expanded space in the soon to be renovated historic Arizona Hotel
building. Senae Thai, with locations in San Francisco, Oakland and Scottsdale has selected
the former On-A-Roll space for its newest Bankok-themed restaurant and is expected to
start serving in May. The Screamery, a Tucson gourmet ice cream franchise with two
locations locally will begin scooping ice cream in May. The China Thai Rice House On
Congress next to the Fox Theater closed its doors on April 25.
P. Small Business Assistance – Staff continues to assist small businesses throughout the
BID. DTP met with Constant Con to help the business identify possible solutions for
improving success as a new business Downtown. The Partnership is working on a project
to add all businesses with 85701 zip codes into the major map search engines, including
Google, Yahoo, Bing, Safari, and Mapquest. Staff is collaborating with UA students and COT
to develop a handbook intended to provide new and existing retail businesses with the
latest best retail practices, economic development incentives and local support
information. Café 54’s well publicized funding challenges, Riveted’s struggle to overcome
the reduction of foot traffic due to the adjacent construction of One West Broadway, and
reports that the tenants of La Placita will need to vacate their premises for the possible
demolition of La Placita point to the importance of creating a comprehensive handbook for
retailers.
Q. Economic Development Reports – The 2016 Downtown Development Report is up-todate with all the residential and other developments that are currently in planning or
construction phases downtown. The report includes a map, summary sheet, and profiles of
each of the projects, and has been distributed widely to developers, investors, and the
Tucson business community. An interactive Google map has also been created by DTP to
highlight this surge in residential development, and is available to on any computer or
mobile device.
R. Retail Action –University of Arizona Management and Policy students are collaborating
with DTP on a business development program targeting toward downtown businesses.
Their project serves as the final capstone for three UA students, interested in careers in
local government. Components of their project include national research, a merchant
survey, and individual collaboration with at least one business owner. In addition to
survey results, the students are creating a resource packet to highlight important
programs and services available to business owners. The Partnership will incorporate
their work in its Retail Development program, and the students’ final presentation is
scheduled to take place at the UA Downtown building on Friday May 6 at 5pm.
S. Start UP Mexico- DTP participated in a tour last Thursday with Mayor Rothschild, StartUp
Tucson, Lawrence McDaniel from Startup Mexico (Mexico City), and others, that looked at
potential sites for a $30 million Mexican start up program designed to fast track young
entrepreneurs from concept to viable commercial enterprises. The fund will make seed
investments up to $150,000 to as many as 80 startups and move them to selected cities like
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Tucson for incubation and development.
MARKETING
T. Marketing Manager- The Downtown Tucson Partnership would like to welcome James
Jefferies, the new Marketing & PR Manager. James is a native Tucsonan who grew up five
blocks from downtown and has deep roots in the Old Pueblo. He graduated from the
University of Arizona and recently left the Aspen Film Festival as a Programming
Coordinator where he programmed the Oscar-qualifying Aspen Shortsfest. James is a
former freelance content writer and photographer who previously worked for DTP as a
feature writer. James can be reached at [email protected] or 268-9033.
U. Cox TV – Two ad campaigns continue to run on Cox, one focused on general downtown
promotion, the other supporting the Downtown Tucson Gift Card. We’ve also started
promoting the Downtown Tucson Summer Camp Guide, produced by the Downtown
Tucson Partnership, through video ads on select websites including geo-fencing the ads to
reach our target demographic along the streetcar route.
V. Radio Ads – Ads air daily on KXCI, highlighting downtown as a regional center for
restaurants, retail and events, as well as additional advertising aimed at promoting the
Downtown Tucson Gift Card.
W. Digital Media- Digital Media- Facebook has reached over 28,500 likes, up 22% from this
time last year. Twitter is over 11,500 followers, a 37% increase from last May. Instagram is
growing very rapidly, currently at 7,435 followers, a 23% increase since March. We’ll be
reaching out to promote the Downtown Tucson Gift Card heavily via social media with a
promo from our friends at Instagift for Mother’s Day.
X. Print advertising- Staff is continuing to distribute the overruns of the Tucson Lifestyle
special section on Downtown across the region. Edible Baja Arizona has offered DTP a fullpage ad for the price of the half page we were purchasing in the Downtown group ad.
DTP’s participation in the group ad reduces the cost of an ad for merchants by up to 70.9%.
Y. Recent Downtown Stories- In addition to the piece for Biz Tucson, 26 business profiles
and general interest stories have been written for the online Downtown Tucsonan since
January 1st. To view these current pieces, as well as all 976 downtown articles written
about our improving urban center over the past 60 months, visit DowntownTucson.org.
Z. Summer in the City Kids' Camps- DTP produced its 3rd Annual Summer Kids’ Camp
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brochure. This brochure includes all downtown organizations that provide summer camp
options for children of all ages. This brochure will be distributed to libraries, coffee shops,
and other businesses. Please contact Brandi Haga-Blackman for information on inclusion
in this brochure or visit Downtown Kids Camps for information.
AA. Events- May and June events include the Ben’s Bells Celebration of Kindness, St.
Augustine’s Cathedral Noche de Gala, Tucson Open Studio Tours, National Train Day,
LGBTQA parade and festival, Agave Fest at Hotel Congress, Friday Night Festival of Miles,
the 10th Annual Meet Me Downtown 5k, Summer Art Cruise and Dia de San Juan, and
Second Saturday’s.
BB. American Air Magazine- The Partnership has been working with representatives of
American Airways In-Flight Magazine to provide a narrative and photos chronicling the six
year resurgence of downtown Tucson. The downtown Tucson segment will be part of a
larger 40-page issue focused on Arizona that will reach 4.3 million national and
international travelers during the month of July.
CC. Biz Tucson- DTP has supplied Biz Tucson with downtown narratives, spread sheets, and
high-res photos highlighting the 22 residential and hospitality projects under construction
or in the planning/design phases in the greater downtown area. The 1800 word article will
be a featured story in the summer issue of the region’s premier business magazine.
MAINTENANCE
DD. Facilities Improvements- The Security and Maintenance break room has been given a
long-overdue professional upgrade including repainting, new furniture, equipment, and
photos.
EE. Power Washing- Staff is researching a new power washing system attachment that
recycles the water to reduce the amount of potable water used during the power washing
process. The attachment will save time, money and water for the Partnership and the city.
Staff also assisted the City of Tucson Downtown Mural Program with power washing the
seven mural locations in preparation for mural installation.
FF. Landscaping- Maintenance staff has recently landscaped the tree wells along Scott Avenue
between Congress and Pennington, making the area inviting and comfortable for
downtown patrons to enjoy. Staff continues to landscape downtown planters, tree wells,
window boxes, and create and install hanging planters from the historic light poles.
GG. Graffiti Removal- Downtown is tagged thousands of times a year. To keep up with the
increase of large-scale graffiti, DTP has purchased a professional-grade paint sprayer to
quickly cover large graffiti tags on building walls and construction fences.
SECURITY
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HH. Security Subcommittee Report- The Security subcommittee appointed by Board Chair
Jan Cervelli in March continues is meeting on a weekly basis to craft a multi-agancy
security strategy for downtown Tucson. Subcommittee members include, Chief of Police
Chris Magnus, Lieutenant Doggett, Officer Bustamante, Margo Susco, Fred Ronstadt, Greg
Jackson Russ Stone, Brandi Haga-Blackman, Michael Crawford, Diana Amado, and Michael
Keith.
II. Self-Defense Training- Security Ambassadors will be receiving increased self-defense
training through the Arizona Tactical Defense Training Institute. The training emphasizes
the critical components of awareness, avoidance, de-escalation and evasion. Trainings will
be conducted within the next few weeks.
JJ. New Equipment-Thanks to the generosity of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Revenue Sharing
program, DTP received an $8,000 grant to replace an aging security vehicle on its last legs.
The new golf cart, equipped with extra LED lighting, allows for faster response times to
incidents. On behalf of our security staff and the DTP Board, our sincere thanks.
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