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Over the past few weeks, Ward 3 staff, and members of the Tucson Police Department (TPD) and I met individually with five business owners who wanted to tell us firsthand the impacts they are facing from vandalism, drug use, and other unlawful behavior from people near their business or close to their property. These businesses are located from Oracle to Alvernon, and they all have similar problems. It has cost them money – to repair windows, to clean up after fires and pick up trash, to install security measures and pay for security services. It has cost them some customers who are afraid to park and come into their stores.
 The lot behind the Walgreens wall. Photo by Alex Parrs.
I appreciate that we were accompanied by experienced and sympathetic police officers, including Captains of the two TPD operation divisions that are in Ward 3, and in one visit by Chief Chad Kasmar. Captain Adam Kidd (Division Midtown) and Captain Lauren Pettey (Division West) listened carefully to understand the specific problems. They shared with my staff and the owners about what TPD was doing to address the nationwide epidemic of homelessness, which is exacerbated by mental health issues and Fentanyl addiction.
Sometimes infrastructure can mitigate these problems. Most of the business owners have already built improved fencing and put in better lighting. One owner built strong cages around EV charging equipment to stop the theft of copper.
Going forward, in one case we were able to convince a neighboring Walgreens – to tear down a low, non-functional wall that created a sheltered gathering place for drug use and provided a canvas for offensive graffiti no matter how many times the wall was repainted.
Many of the businesses are located in a Tucson program just getting off the ground to address high crime in the Ft. Lowell corridor stretching from Oracle Road to First Avenue. It is called VIVA, which stands Violence Interruption and Vitalization Action, and has had good results where we piloted it at Avernon and Grant and elsewhere in the city. VIVA will include police along with many city departments and other partners to concentrate efforts in this troubled area.
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Frequent readers of the Ward 3 newsletter may recall that earlier this year, we published a story about the Richland Heights East Neighborhood Association removing racist covenants from their property deeds. If you’re not familiar with the history of deed covenants and restrictions excluding people of color, especially Black, Chinese, and Mexican Americans from living in neighborhoods around Tucson and most of the US, here is a great summary of the work done by University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Geography Jason Jurjevich.
https://news.arizona.edu/news/mapping-racist-covenants-how-uarizona-geographers-research-informed-new-arizona-law
The state of Arizona just made it easier for residents to remove racist covenants by passing Senate Bill 1432 earlier this year, which just went into effect last month. While the racist language has not be legally enforceable since the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (also known as also known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act), Jurjevich’s work has helped bring attention to these racist restrictions, and an increasing number of homeowners have been motivated to amend their covenants to remove the racist portions of the deed restrictoins. Jurjevich himself began this project of Mapping Racist Covenants after he and his husband went through the ordeal of buying a house that included a deed restricting his African American husband from being able to live in the house.
Jason Jurjevich, University of Arizona professor in the Geography Department.
Prior to Arizona Senate bill 1432, a property owner or the HOA would have to garner support from neighbors to change the covenants. Now that this has been signed into law, those parties are able to file for the changes directly without organizing their neighbors to support the move. Even so, some neighbors are still talking about these restrictions more directly, and some are banding together to remove the racist language not just to their own property deed, but whole areas. Inspired by Vista Del Monte Neighborhood Association’s work along this path (as well as Richland Heights East and other Tucson neighborhood associations), Samos Neighborhood is currently pursuing that route as well.
 A map of all covenants recorded on subdivisions in Pima County before 1968. Subdivisions whose deeds still include racist covenants in the county record are shown in dark magenta.
Neighborhood Associations or individual home owners who would like to remove the racist covenants from their property deeds can reach out to our office and we are happy to connect you to other neighbors who can help facilitate the process.
A big shout out to Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association for a very successful Second Annual - Summer Splash Pad Bash! This small neighborhood, Grant to Glenn and Oracle to Stone, has been hit pretty hard by the impacts of the housing and opioid crisis. The neighborhood association re-activated just two years ago and has been diligently working on building community with their neighbors through regular meetings, beautification events, and family centered events at the park. This last Saturday was a sweet thank you for all their hard work.
 Neighborhood kids make great use of the splash pad on a 100 degree plus day.
The Bash included tabling from several non-profit partners that the neighborhood has been actively engaging. Tucson Clean and Beautiful was there showing the plans for the rain garden soon to be installed at the park, Teen Challenge was sharing the design of their new building going up at Oracle and Kelso, COPE Community Services had information available, and of course the neighborhood association was set up as well.
 Hilary Madrid, longest serving board member of Balboa Heights NA, holding down the table.
Jonni Campbell - Director of Differently Abled Entertainment - set up a popular face painting station, Parks and Rec’s Ready Set Rec van had all their games out, El Compa food truck was serving free food, and a youth mariachi topped off the celebration.
 Las Aguilitas de Davis playing and singing their little hearts out.
Children splashing, squealing, and running around is exactly what the neighborhood association has been working towards. While the neighborhood still faces more than its share of challenges, there has been a notable difference in how individuals feel about their neighborhood. Attendance at the every other month neighborhood meetings hasn’t necessarily increased but participation in community events definitely has.
You can find El Compa at 902 W Miracle Mile, Mon - Fri from 9:30am - 8pm.
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 OREO/ #A829418
Age: 1 years
Qualities:
Qualities: Meet Oreo, a playful pup with a heart full of love and a delightfully silly personality! Oreo adores spending time with other dogs and especially enjoys wrestling and playing chase. While she may be a bit shy around new faces at first, it doesn't take long for her charming quirks to shine through. Oreo is the perfect partner for someone who loves a little adventure and a lot of laughter!
Fee:
Oreo has a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday 10/8, 5:30 - 7 pm
Marty Birdman Center,
2536 N Castro Ave.
Alvernon-Grant Initiative
Tuesday 10/8, 6 - 7 pm
Emmanuel Church,
1825 N. Alvernon
El Cortez Neighborhood Association Meeting
Thursday 10/10, 6 - 7 pm
Donna Liggins Center,
2160 N 6th Ave.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
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SURVEY FOR 1ST AVE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The City of Tucson, in partnership with Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority, is improving 1st Avenue from River Road to Grant Road. A survey is now available to gather community input on the priorities for this area. The public is invited to visit the project website to take the survey, leave a comment on the interactive map, or sign up for the email list.
The 1st Avenue Improvement Project will modernize the corridor using a Complete Streets framework to enhance safety for all users, improve roadway conditions, and provide greater comfort and accessibility for pedestrians, transit riders, and bicyclists. The project includes a new bridge over the Rillito River, pavement reconstruction, continuous and accessible sidewalks, enhanced bicycle facilities, safety improvements, drainage improvements, upgraded traffic signals, lighting, and landscaping.
 The 1st Avenue Project is very early in the development process. The project started with a Needs Assessment to better understand the existing conditions in the corridor. Based on community input and the findings of the Needs Assessment, the City of Tucson and the RTA decided to move forward with the four-lane improvement. The Needs Assessment and results of the community survey are available on the project website.
Tucson Parks and Recreation Fall Pool Schedules Available
Pool admission remains free.
To find a pool near you, visit the Parks and Recreation website.
Schedule for Tucson Home Sharing Events
We Care Tucson Robotics Camp For Kids From 10 am-3 pm October 10
Santa Cruz River Cleanup on Saturday, October 12
Sonoran Institute, the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, and Tucson Clean & Beautiful will be hosting our first big river cleanup of the fall on Saturday, October 12 where the Santa Cruz River crosses under Grant Road.
Free Halloween Party On October 25 From 5:30-7:30 PM
Volunteers, Donations, Services Needed For HOPE In The Park, A Resource Fair For Unsheltered Individuals And Families On October 11 From 9 AM- 2 PM
The City of Tucson and Tucson Homeless Connect will hold Hope in the Park, a day-long resource fair which will provide various resources for unsheltered individuals and families. Hope in the Park will be held at Rudy Garcia Park, 5001 S. Nogales Highway, southeast corner with Irvington Road, Friday Oct. 11 from 9 AM to 2 PM.
This event will help individuals obtain services in health screening, behavioral health, VA benefits, food, shelter/housing, legal assistance, clothing, haircuts, animal care, and more. Volunteers, donations and services are needed.
To ensure a successful resource fair, service providers, donations and volunteers are greatly needed.
Potential donations include bicycles, solar cell phone charging stations, gift cards, tents, sleeping bags, and money. Service providers are needed to offer their agencies’ services to the unsheltered community.
Homeless Connect and MDOT are seeking 300 volunteers for a range of tasks: setup from 7-8:30 AM, registration and guides from 8 AM to 1 PM, general work from 9 AM to 2 PM, and cleanup from 1-3 PM. Volunteers can sign up here: http://www.tucsonhomelessconnect.org/volunteer.html
For more information contact Britni Hall at Tucsonhomelessconnectcharity@gmail.com
Volunteers Wanted
Se Buscan Voluntarios
Pima ABECC Looking For Volunteers
 Email Montserrat Caballero for for more info: mcaballero1@pima.edu
Team Up To Clean Up Community Celebration Saturday October 26 From 8-10 AM
Cyclovia Tucson on October 27th, From 9 am - 3 pm
 Living Streets Alliance is delighted to announce their 21st event which will take place on Sunday, October 27th, from 9 AM to 3 PM!
The Fall route will bridge Downtown and the City of South Tucson along 2.25 miles of car-free, carefree streets. Walk, bike, play, connect—during Cyclovia, the streets are yours!
Ready, Set, REC! in October
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30 - 6 pm, Thursdays 6 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8 - 9:30am. https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
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