Saturday, June 24, 2006

Public Money for Public Purposes

The Rio Nuevo extension passed the legislature and the people of Tucson are now deprived of a vote and obligated by this august body to contribute matching funds to an exclusive tax rebate district for 12 more years. According to the Tucson Citizen, this will be $350,000,000 more in addition to the original $156,000,000, for a total of at least $506,000,000. We are such a rich town, we can afford to pay at least $650,000 from the city to Rio Nuevo every month, which is .7% of the total budget. That’s quite a bite, overall. Other figures state that Rio Nuevo would require even more matching funds.

Now, I’m hoping that social services in Tucson remain funded and maybe
expanded as need arises. It would be bad news if the homeless took to hanging around downtown instead of nimby. It wouldn’t look too good. What about low income housing downtown? Should the maids and gardeners be forced to ride the bus while the elite live in subsidized housing next door to where they work? What about grocery shopping? Shall we see an upsurgence in traffic to existing grocers or are you creating a situation in which people must have cars in order to purchase daily needs or must ride the bus to the store and backpack goods into their abode?

Infrastructure downtown? That needs to be addressed in order to accommodate any high density project. What are the costs of revamping the sewer, water, electric and gas infrastructure? Are high density projects too expensive? The MLK apartments are scaling back on the number of units to 66. What happens to the other residents currently living there?

I suggest a study on downtown properties. What are they charging for rent? If they are keeping people out with unworthy rents, they should be willing to lower their sights a little in order to get a viable deal. This includes hotels.

We need a cultural center, museum and outdoor arena for concerts and a flea market type shopping area. Did you see the crowds associated with the gem and mineral shows? We went to most of them and encountered many people buying and looking and enjoying themselves. Tourists want shopping variety and reasonable food. Tour buses will not stop where there is nothing to do. Leave open spaces where gem show vendors and others could set up and attract customers. Traveling art shows, chili cookoffs, the possibilities are endless. Bring the fair back to town!

I’m talking about public buildings, not subsidized housing or parking garages to benefit law bending developers who don’t want to follow the rules. I’m talking about a reasonable place for locals and tourists to enjoy themselves without having to spend too much money. I’m suggesting eclectic shopping and eating and traveling shows setting up right next door to the permanent booths, keeping the people interested. How about an old time western saloon and dance hall in one of those vacant spaces downtown? A modern Bird Cage Theater.

We need a nice new bus station connecting with the city bus system and convenient to Convento and the new flea market shopping area and adjoining traveling show setup areas. This bus station would be a dandy, with a 24 hour fast food joint inside, seating, telephones and bus connections all over the city and Davis Monthan. Shuttle service to Phoenix, etc. This parking thing is totally out of control. Every driver is now requiring 100 square feet of reserved space wherever they go, whenever they go. Of course parking is a problem but the problem derives from people’s attitudes and the lack of public transportation and proximity of stores.

Let’s put that CAP recharge right over here downtown in the Santa Cruz. Dump it in the ground and let it recharge and mingle with reclaimed water. We could have a park and riparian area near the old Convento and museum setup.

High end condos will not attract more free market money after the initial investment. If the city fathers and mothers want increased property tax revenue, then subsidize high end real estate and lock the poor outside looking in. If they want a free market stimulation, then invest in public buildings and have open air markets with cheap rents for small businesses, shopping and food service and collect your taxes there.

Avoid the subsidy of private projects or spending money that benefits these projects unless public aspects are also heavily enhanced. We need to work together to build projects that provide amusements and cultural activities for the people. I support the UA science center and the Museum Convento complex with the stipulation that the area include a superlative museum gift shop that sells high end arts and crafts, a world class desert botanical garden free for the viewing and a bookstore specializing in western history, ecology and mineral resources.

I could envision a terminal for the passenger railroad from Mexico if one existed! We should explore this possibility in contact with local representatives in Nogales and Hermosillo. This would vastly benefit downtown businesses and put Tucson on the map as a true international city, with air and rail transportation to Mexico. Mexican rail could make money if they transported tourists to the interesting places, particularly the new international port in Guaymas.

This money should not be wasted on bureaucracy or private projects. The people are paying for this and they deserve a return on their money.