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* * * This message has been distributed by the City Manager's Office. All content contained in this message is an expression of the elected official. * * *
From: Ward 3
Contact: 791-4711 or ward3@tucsonaz.gov
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There are some projects coming to Ward 3 you might want to know about:
Amphi Stormwater Park. This neighborhood lost its park when the church where it was located decided to no longer allow it. A new park nearby is being developed by Pima County Flood Control District in collaboration with community partners, which bought a narrow parcel just east of Stone Avenue between Mohave and Navajo Roads to provide public green space for flood mitigation. Construction is expected to begin next Fall and should be completed in Spring 2028. Have ideas? Stay tuned for ways to get involved in the community design process.
 Elvira Stormwater Park.
RTA projects in the Ward. The newest Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) project is taking place where Grant Road meets I-10 on the west side, with new lanes being added on both sides. This should finish by summer’s end, just in time for the opening of the new Casino Del Sol Vahi Taa'am in mid-November. Construction on Grant Road between Sparkman and Swan should be completed this fall if all goes well. The final Grant Road Improvement Phase from Fremont to Sparkman, has entered the property acquisition period, which is expected to take two years. After utilities are relocated, road construction in this segment will begin in 2029 (more information in article below). Still in advanced planning after extensive public engagement, the improvement of First Avenue from Grant Road to River Road, which will include replacing the Rillito River Bridge, is in the queue. RTA officials tell us that these projects, which were in the original RTA, should proceed more rapidly than others now that RTA Next was approved by the voters.
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 Karla Toledo Update
  In our May 22 newsletter, we covered the horrible abduction of Ward 3 resident Karla Toledo by federal ICE agents from her home. Karla was immediately taken to a for-profit detention center owned by Core Civic in Eloy. After 4 harrowing nights at the facility, Karla was released on May 22 on a bond and given a trial date of June 3. This week would have been her trial, except that it never took place because the court dismissed her case without prejudice.
 Above: Attorney Mo Goldman and Karla Toledo preparing to speak to a crowd of supporters at a rally downtown on Wednesday. Below: Karla listens as her attorney Mo Goldman addresses the crowd of supporters explaining her release.
Among a crowd of supporters outside the courthouse, her attorney Mo Goldman explained that while Karla is free to go without charges, she can be detained by agents again. It is a bittersweet moment. Not quite a victory, but also not a defeat. Disruption is a more fitting term.
 Council Member Dahl showing his support for Karla.
So basically, this poor woman was detained for nothing more than intimidation tactics. So what of the supposed assault on the ICE agents? It seems the agency never had any evidence nor took any action. As for the warrant to enter her home and violently extract her in order to send her to a private prison…again, nothing. Nada. Read that again, NO WARRANT has been provided to date.
Grant & Alvernon Woes to End in October: A Grant Road Improvement Update
 The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the City's Department of Transportation and Mobility hosted an information session this month on the next phases of the Grant Road Improvement Project. The project has been part of the voter-approved RTA plan since 2006, and we've overheard more than one Ward 3 resident speculate that the project may simply be a permanent feature of Tucson life.
 Council Member Kevin Dahl sharing a laugh with resident Susan Chambers Casteloes.
Project representatives addressed the lengthy construction at Grant and Alvernon, part of Phases 3 & 4 of the project. Much of the current work is happening underground and out of public view, including installation of drainage and utility infrastructure. Once that work is complete, the visible roadway reconstruction is expected to move more quickly. Current estimates still place completion of Phases 3 & 4 in October 2026.
 Residents viewing roadway plans.
The next segment of the project, Phases 5 & 6, will extend westward from Fremont Ave. to Sparkman Blvd. Design plans are now 90% complete, with construction set to begin in 2029.
A significant portion of the presentation focused on traffic noise associated with the widened roadway. Engineers used digital noise modeling to identify areas where sound walls may be appropriate. Those walls would only move forward if supported by at least 50% of affected property owners or residents.
 Project Manager Rob Lane sharing updates with the community.
Additional information and updated maps and roadway plans, including proposed sound wall locations, are available on the Grant Road Improvement Project website as well as through the Grant Road Coalition.
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 ID# A865262
Age: 3 years
Qualities:
Girl is a young sweetheart who has been bounced around a bit- she’d love to find her happily furever after! In her first home Girl reportedly did well with kiddos and was well behaved when left home alone.
Girl 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.
 ID# A900453
Age: 13 years
Qualities: What we learned from Emma's previous home:
- Experience with young children: Positive (good) experience
- Loves to be brushed
- Couch potato
- Independent
- She is very sweet and loves affection but also likes some alone time. She’s a wonderful companion. She will play a little bit, loves treats and wet food. She REQUIRES fresh water everyday from a clean bowl.
Fee:
Emma 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.
Fee:
Pets have 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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The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 am - 1 pm for walk-ins or later by appointment, 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.
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Next Mayor & Council Meeting |
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The next Mayor and Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 9.
Once available, the agenda will be posted here:
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Ward 3 Neighborhood Meetings |
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Fort Lowell Corridor Crime and Safety Meeting
Every third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
AGM, 3544 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
La Madera Neighborhood Association Meeting
Saturday, 6/6, 9 am
La Madera Park
2700 E La Madera Drive
Keeling Neighborhood Association Meeting
Monday, 6/8, 7-8 pm
Cornerstone Fellowship Church
2902 N Geronimo Ave.
Balboa Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday, 6/9, 5:30-7 pm
Marty Birdman Center
2536 N Castro Ave.
Desert Mallow Neighborhood Association
Wednesday 6/10, 6-7 pm
Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E. Grant Rd.
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Monday, June 1 - August 3
7 PM
St. Francis in the Foothills,
4626 E. River Rd.
Saturday, June 6
6-8 PMThe Drawing Studio,
2760 N Tucson Blvd.
Monday, June 8 - 12
9 AM-12 PM
BICAS,
2001 N 7th Ave
Tuesday, June 9
5:30 PM
Marty Birdman Center
2536 N. Castro Ave.
Tuesday, June 9
6 - 7 PM
Online
Saturday, June 13
6 - 8 PM
The Drawing Studio
2760 N Tucson Blvd.
Tuesday, June 16
5:30 - 7 PM
Pima Community College Downtown Campus
1255 N. Stone Ave.
Friday, June 19
10 AM - 8 PM
The Drawing Studio
2760 N Tucson Blvd.
Friday, June 20
9 AM - 11 AM
The Ward 3 Community Room
1510 E. Grant Rd.
Saturday, July 18
9:30 AM- 1 PM
WeCare Tucson
3029 N Stone Ave.
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Railroad Underpass Project Work Over Grant Road And Closure
May 22 - August 5, 2026 - Construction activities will begin on the Grant Road underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad, closing eastbound and westbound travel on Grant Road in the project area. Grant Road will reopen to traffic on August 5, 2026.
VITA Extended Tax Prep Help Through October
 
City Of Tucson Announces Cooling Centers For
Extreme Summer Heat Relief
From Monday, June 1, to Sunday, Sept. 30, the City of Tucson will operate six cooling centers to provide temporary designated areas for the public to utilize and escape the heat during peak hours. The cooling centers will operate on a seven day a week schedule and will be extended an additional month this year to incorporate the month of September. All City operated cooling centers are located along Sun Tran bus routes, ensuring they remain accessible to keep vulnerable community members safe from extreme heat.
The six City-operated cooling centers will be open daily from noon – 4 p.m., including the City observed holidays on Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth), Friday, July 3 (Independence Day observed), and Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day). The centers will also be open on July 4th.
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Donna Liggins Center, 2160 N. 6th Ave.
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El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road., Building #9
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Fred Archer Center, 1665 S La Cholla Boulevard
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Freedom Center, 5000 E. 29th St.
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Morris K. Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
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Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way
Free Gun Locks At Ward 3
Do you need a lock for your guns? Swing by our office at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from 9 AM-1 PM and come pick up a free lock while supplies last.
RFQ I Public Artist Roster
 Deadline: May 26, 2026
Are you an artist interested in public art? Apply for the Public Artist Roster, a list of pre-qualified artists or artist teams working in various media. The Roster is for public art projects with budgets of $100,000 or below. It opens every two years, and selected artists serve a two-year term
Prop 411 Spring Pavement Preservation
This pavement preservation project will quickly move through different areas in the City of Tucson over the course of about three weeks.
The crack seal has already been done, and beginning Monday, crews will begin the prep work. The prep work for all 3 areas will take about 2 weeks to complete. The fog seal is scheduled to begin in early June and will take roughly a month to complete.
Preparedness Resources For Immigrant Families
Community Rapid Response Team https://rapidresponsetucson.com, 520-221-4077
 A handy bilingual Know Your Rights card for your wallet (pictured below) is available free, in quantities, from Ward 3 or at the Gloo Factory.
Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, in English and Spanish. Click the buttons below to download a PDF file of the plans.
Other resources:
Tucson IDA First Time Homebuyer Loans
Tucson IDA will be launching a new program on April 1st, which will provide $15,000 to first-time homebuyers. Funding will last through August 2026
St. Francis Community Food Pantry Has Moved!
Find Food Access Resources In Tucson
Tucson food assistance providers are seeing a sharp rise in demand from families affected by delayed federal benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. At the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, there is an increase in first-time visitors, many of whom had never sought food assistance before. Volunteers are working overtime to assemble emergency food boxes for those suddenly without access to those benefits. The Community Food Bank offers help multiple times a week during varying hours continues to distribute food at its main location, 3003 S. Country Club Road, and through partner agencies across Southern Arizona. Officials urge residents in need to reach out early, as local inventories may fluctuate if the shutdown continues. You can also find a list of food resources by following the This is Tucson link below.
Friends of Ward 3 Is Helping Rio Vista Elementary
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 - 9:30 am.
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We welcome your feedback!
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