AZ State Senator George Cunningham
We share our sincere condolences with Council Member Paul Cunningham and his family on the passing of his father, George Cunningham, who passed unexpectedly last week. We’d like to express our gratitude for the years of public service work Mr. Cunningham did for our Country, the State of Arizona, and our community. Paul wrote a tribute to his father on the occasion of his 80th birthday this past February. That is reshared below.
My dad had one of the better runs as a public servant than anyone I can think of. He started that service early, as both an army reservist and as the assistant city manager of South Tucson while being a graduate student at the University of Arizona.
He also ran track at Catalina High School and has been a supporter of the program there ever since.
After his time at South Tucson, he moved on to work for the Arizona State Senate where he was the only person on staff for the members. He went on to be the lobbyist for his beloved University of Arizona. Eventually, he climbed the ladder to be a vice president there.
He didn’t deal with the academic side of things, but his work there was crucial to making sure that the learning environment was good for students, faculty and staff. He managed things like residential life and making sure that the roads on campus got paved.
In 1988, we had a governor impeached and Secretary of State Rose Mofford was elevated to our top office. Mofford had to staff up quickly and looked around for the most capable person she could think of to be her chief of staff. That was my dad.
After serving with Governor Mofford, my dad had decided, after years of working for and lobbying elected officials, to run for office himself. He came in second in a three way primary for house in 1992, which as we know is enough to get elected for that office. He served in Democratic leadership in the house and moved over to the State Senate in 1997.
His time in the legislature ended in 2001 and he had unsuccessful races for both congress and the corporation commission. Even so, he still found other ways to help improve Arizona.
He served as Governor Janet Napolitano’s budget director in her two terms. He also took some time to start the Grand Canyon Institute, a think tank which has had Democrats, Republicans and Independents on its board. The Institute serves as a counterweight to the myriad of special interest funded groups that try to keep pro-citizen policy goals out of the legislative conversation. It’s one of my father’s best contributions to our state’s civic life.
I learned a lot from my father about politics, policy and public service. I’m proud to have him as a father and happy I can carry on in his footsteps.
Feedback Wanted on Middle Housing in Tucson
The City of Tucson is working to expand housing diversity through a new middle housing initiative. Middle housing, which includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes, represents an opportunity to address our community's needs by providing more attainable and diverse housing options.
The City is evaluating several approaches to implement these housing regulations, particularly which locations would be eligible for middle housing development. Community input is essential to this process. Please join us at an upcoming meeting to get informed and contribute your perspective on these changes.
In May 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2721 into law. The bill requires cities with more than 75,000 residents to allow middle housing on all single-family residential lots within one mile of the downtown core (with the specific area still being defined). The law also states that middle housing must be reviewed under the same standards and procedures as single-family homes. For any new developments larger than 10 acres, at least 20% must be middle housing. Cities are required to adopt these changes by January 1, 2026.
PDSD invites you to join us at one of three public meetings this month to provide feedback on the potential options presented to Mayor and Council.
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Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
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Amenities: Free parking; Snacks available
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Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
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Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
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Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Plan Tucson 2025 General Plan Update
Staff is excited to announce that the third draft of Plan Tucson 2025 is now available for public review. After a thorough review process and extensive community engagement, the Planning Commission voted unanimously (8-0) to forward a favorable recommendation of the Plan Tucson 2025 General Plan Update to the Mayor and Council. This updated draft reflects meaningful input from both community members and key stakeholders.
Tucson residents now have a critical opportunity to share their perspectives on the most recent draft during the upcoming Mayor and Council Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to reflect on recent planning efforts, assess our community’s challenges and needs, and contribute to shaping Tucson’s long-term vision.
The Planning Commission recommended several additions to strengthen the final draft:
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Affordable Housing: New language addresses concerns about obstacles to developing more affordable housing
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Transparency and Accountability: Direction to create an Annual Report has been added, ensuring clear and ongoing updates on the Plan’s progress over the next 10 years
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Administrative Flexibility: Language has been included to allow for administrative amendments to the Plan if necessary
At the public hearings, community members expressed strong support for the Plan and the inclusive engagement process. Public feedback led to the incorporation of additional considerations around:
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Strengthening climate resilience and development aesthetics
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Clearer guidance on Plan implementation
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Supporting efforts to prevent violence against Indigenous women and women in the broader community
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Improving bike connectivity, utilities and development integration, and streetscape safety and aesthetics
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Addressing housing affordability challenges faced by developers
Mayor & Council has scheduled a public hearing on the adoption of Plan Tucson 2025 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. This is the final opportunity to provide feedback on Plan Tucson. Any feedback provided during the public hearing will be considered by Mayor & Council given the context of Plan Tucson’s two years of community engagement. Mayor & Council may choose to adopt the plan while providing staff with specific direction to make changes based on public feedback. If approved, Tucson residents will have the opportunity to vote on Plan Tucson in the November 2025 election.
Plan Tucson 2025 outlines the city’s strategic vision for growth, sustainability, and community development over the next decade. Plan Tucson 2025 is an update to the City of Tucson’s general plan. Public input is a crucial part of the process as the final draft plan moves through review and adoption.
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Speak at the Hearing: Attend in person to speak at the public hearing. Requests to speak can be made prior to the public hearing or at the public hearing
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Submit Written Comments: Contact Cesar Acosta at (520) 667-7479 or cesar.acosta2@tucsonaz.gov, and they will be shared with the City Clerk’s Office
Still unsure how Plan Tucson can help shape Tucson’s future? Watch a short video to explore what Plan Tucson is all about.
Learn more about Plan Tucson and the process so far and find ways to join the conversation by visiting plantucson.tucsonaz.gov.
Sun Tran To Host Public Meetings for Route 5 & 22
Sun Tran is hosting a series of meetings to gather community feedback on the possible elimination of Route 5 and the extension of Route 22. The Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) and Sun Tran were directed to determine the five lowest-performing routes in the transit system and find operational and budget efficiencies. Sun Tran identified Route 5 (Pima/West Speedway), Route 15 (Campbell), Route 21 (West Congress/Silverbell), Route 22 (El Rio/West Speedway), and Route 61 (La Cholla) as the lowest-performing routes. The City of Tucson would net a cost savings of $1 million annually by extending Route 22 to Pima Community College West Campus and eliminating Route 5. Community members are encouraged to attend any of the in-person or virtual meetings, which you can find by following the link below.
Community members are encouraged to attend one of the one-hour meetings:
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Tuesday, May 13 | 5:30 PM | Pima Community College – Downtown Campus: 1255 North Stone Avenue
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Thursday, May 15 | Noon | Quincie Douglas Library: 1585 East 36th Street
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Friday, May 16 | Noon | Martha Cooper Library: 1377 North Catalina Avenue
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Monday, May 19 | 5:30 PM | Ward 1 Council Office: 940 West Alameda Street
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Tuesday, May 20 | 10:00 AM | Morris K. Udall Park and Recreation Center: 7200 East Tanque Verde Road
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Wednesday, May 21 | Noon | William M. Clements Center: 8155 East Poinciana Drive
May 16 Public Hearing for Tentative Five-Year Construction Program
ADOT’s proposed 2026-2030 focus: upgrading pavement, improving major corridors
The in-person and virtual hearing on the 2026-2030 Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the Bullhead City Council Chambers, 1255 Marina Boulevard. It will be held during a meeting of the Arizona State Transportation Board that can be accessed at aztransportationboard.gov. Those wishing to provide comments remotely can request to do so until 8 a.m. the day of the hearing using instructions available at aztransportationboard.gov.
The proposed $12.7 billion program emphasizes improving highway pavement and bridge infrastructure throughout Greater Arizona, which encompasses areas outside of Maricopa and Pima counties. The plan would provide more than $4.47 billion for these high-priority improvements during the next five years. That includes $2.8 billion to preserve, rehabilitate and replace pavement and bridges, including:
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$455 million in pavement projects on interstates 8, 10, 17 and 40
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$573 million in pavement projects on other routes, including US routes 60, 70, 93, 160 and 180, and state routes 64, 72, 79, 80, 82, 85, 179, 260 and 347
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$237 million in bridge projects on interstates and $112 million on other routes
In Pima County, the tentative five-year program proposes $831 million in coordination with the Pima Association of Governments for projects including the following:
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$600 million for widening I-10 from Kino to Country Club, which includes building a new interchange at I-10 and Country Club Road and reconstructing the Kino Road interchange
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$290 million to widen I-10 from Alvernon Way to Valencia Road
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$47 million to reconstruct the I-19 interchange at Irvington Road
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$97 million to improve the interchanges on I-10 at Park and Sixth avenues
Ward 6 Neighborhood Recycling Center Relocation
Ward 6 Neighborhood Recycling Center is scheduled to close due to upcoming development. The Environmental Services Department has found a new site and we would like to invite community members to attend a public meeting to learn more and share feedback on the new location. Meeting details are provided below:
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Ward 6 Community/Main Meeting Room
3202 East 1st Street
Donations
Thank you for your continued support with the donations. Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid has shared the updated list of items they currently need:
- Men’s jeans and athletic pants sizes 26-36
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Men’s and boys baseball hats
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Men’s tennis shoes all sizes
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Girl’s and boy’s shoes all sizes
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Boy’s and girl’s pants sizes 2-6
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New women’s S and M underpants (new only please)
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Women’s large pants and jeans sizes 16 and up
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Sunglasses - all sizes
They have been distributing the collected donations to several agencies in Southern Arizona that serve unhoused people, veterans, and immigrants. Come and drop off your donations at the Ward 6 Council Office, located at 3202 E. 1st Street, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 1pm. More information about Kaleidoscope Humanitarian Aid, please visit their website at https://www.khaid.org/
Community Events and Resources
Building a Resilient Neighborhood (BaRn)
In response to the growing threats of extreme heat, BaRN has been raising community awareness and training volunteers since 2018.
Over 150 Tucsonans have participated in our workshops to become Block Connectors, representing over a dozen neighborhoods. To have a real impact across the city, though, we need to multiply that number, so that ultimately no neighborhood is caught unawares and without protection in the summer heat. BaRN has the materials, the support system, and the training to make this possible. They are asking neighborhood leaders to help us spread the word through their channels. They are especially interested in reaching communities that are under-resourced. If you have contacts with neighborhood groups that would like to learn more, they would be happy to set up a special presentation to suit groups schedule. For more info, you can contact BarN here.
Horse Rescue and Sanctuary
Jewels of the Desert Horse Rescue and Sanctuary is a local nonprofit which rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected, and abandoned horses. In a little over a year since their founding, they have rescued dozens of horses, restored their physical and emotional health, and found them forever homes.
Here is a picture of their latest rescue who was brought in by a man who found him abandoned in the desert. He has infected wounds across his body and was so hungry and malnourished that upon arrival he spent several hours eating nonstop. But he is now safe and cared for by these good people at the rescue who are nursing him back to health.
But they need our community’s support to continue on their mission. Please consider joining them by becoming a donor or volunteer. And please . . . help spread the word!
More information:
Website:
https://www.jewelsofthedeserthorses.org/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Jewels-Of-The-Desert-Horse-Rescue-And-Sanctuary/61554696287093/#
Aging with Confidence - Pima Council On Aging
This event, Nosh & Know – Aging with Confidence: Exploring Care Options and Resources on May 8th & 9th will provide resources available for your friends and family to age in proactive, informed, and protected ways. They identify some of the typical challenges of aging, introduce strategies for coping, and explore resources to preserve your voice and rights from independent aging to long-term residential and memory care.
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Understanding typical aging challenges and available services and options Identifying strategies for proactive decision making
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Accessing needed resources across different levels of care including independent aging, in-home care, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care
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Understanding your rights in long-term care facilities and how the Ombudsman Program can help you.
This is the link to register if you want to make the flyer clickable.
Step Forward for Senior Wellness
Help Reduce Waste & Support Refugees! Donate Mason Jars At The Ward 3 Office
Tucson Music Camp Presents Summer Music Camp
2nd Chance Prom at Armory Park Center
Join Parks and Recreation for the 2nd Chance Prom at Armory Park on May 17 from 5–8 PM! This free event will feature live music, dancing, prom-themed activities, and local vendors. Formal attire is encouraged—and those who arrive in prom-themed outfits will receive a free raffle entry!
JobPath
JobPath will be hosting the initial workshop for Career Compass program. The program will help connect under and unemployed community members with in-demand jobs that need very little or on-the-job training. Below is the link to sign up:
Step Up To Justice
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Step Up to Justice is a free civil legal center for low-income individuals and families in Pima County, powered by the talents of volunteer attorneys. They are working to expand their community education projects – initiatives to bring “Know-Your-Rights” presentations to members of the community. |
Their presentations are free of charge and are available statewide. The following community education workshop is available virtually:
The RENT Project (Renter Education for Neighborhoods and Tenants) provides tenants with a general understanding of their rights and obligations under Arizona landlord and tenant law. The presentation covers topics including landlords’ obligations regarding making repairs, what tenants can do to minimize the possibility of eviction, and what a tenant should do if an eviction is filed against them. The written materials and videos already available on the website in both English [stepuptojustice.org] and Spanish [stepuptojustice.org].
The MAPP Project (Mobile Home Asset and Property Protection) is similar to RENT. The curriculum explains mobile home owners’ legal rights and responsibilities when they own their mobile home, but rent the land beneath the home. The intent of the project is to help mobile home owners avoid disputes with their landlords and preserve their primary asset. Additionally, written materials and videos are also available on the website (English [stepuptojustice.org] and Spanish [stepuptojustice.org]).
Community Solutions on Housing and Homelessness by Primavera
From our Friends at Blenman Elm Neighborhood
Pet of the Week
BUTTERFLY
ID# A859936
Age: 1 year
Qualities: This girl is ready to flutter right into your heart! Butterfly is an outgoing, happy pup who gets along with every person and dog she meets. Butterfly loves car rides, play time with her doggy friends, and toys, but her greatest passion is snuggles with her people; she never passes up an opportunity to get some lovin'!
Fee: Butterfly is free to adopt. She is spayed, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines.
Contact: Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., 520-724-5900. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 12pm - 7pm. Wednesday 1:30pm - 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Ready, Set, Rec Ward 6 Van
Upcoming Meetings
Mayor and Council Meeting
Alvernon Grant Initiative Meeting (AGI)
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 6-7pm (every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Fuente De Vida Church, 2200 N Dodge Blvd.
5th/Alvernon Crime Coalition
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 6-7pm (every 4th Wednesday of the month)
Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street
29th Street Coalition Meeting
Thursday, May 29, 6-8pm (every 4th Thursday of the month)
Midtown Police Station Public Meeting Room, 1100 S. Alvernon
Palo Verde Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 2025, 6:30-8:00pm (every third Thursday of the month)
Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street
More information found at https://www.paloverdeneighborhood.org/
Miramonte Neighborhood Meeting
Wednesday, May 14, 6:00-7:30pm (every third Wednesday of the month)
Ward 6 Council Office, 3202 E 1st Street
Division Advisory Committee (DAC) Meeting
Thursday, June 26, 6-8pm
Erik D. Hite Eastside Substation, 9670 E Golf Links Rd
City of Tucson Resources
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