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Post-Pandemic: Let’s Do More to End Poverty
As with all crisis’ financial and otherwise, the Covid-19 recession has hit hard those who are most vulnerable: lower income workers and households. Mayor and Council heard all about this in the April 19 Study Session presentation last week from Bonnie Bazata, Pima County’s Community Services, Employment and Training (CSET) Department Director.
The informative presentation covered pre-pandemic poverty levels, families struggling to meet basic needs such as rent, utilities and groceries. She estimated that there were approximately 74,000 single-parent households in Pima County that were living in poverty.
We also learned of Pima County’s various programs that work to end poverty.
You can view the meeting at www.tucsonaz.gov/tv12/mayor-and-council-meeting-april-192022. The agenda item begins at 2:09:11. Ward 3 also has a pdf of Director Bazata’s slides, which you can request from ward3@tucsonas.gov.
Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz, who brought the item to the meeting, said she hoped that “this presentation and discussion will … facilitate a collaborative approach between the city and county to address poverty related issues.”
I seconded the Vice Mayor’s motion, which passed unanimously, “that the City of Tucson explore and initiate the formation of a joint task force between Pima County and the City to form a deeper understanding of poverty in Pima County, and the impact of chronic instability, scarcity, stress, and how environments and systems impact those experiencing poverty. The joint task force will also identify strategies and recommendations for collectively addressing pervasive inequities and poverty as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Former Arizona Daily Star editor Jim Kiser wrote an opinion editor published April 26 (https://tinyurl.com/ypw8r66m) that applauds our action as a “strong first step.” He also cautions, in the article’s very title, “Poverty isn’t as simple as we like to think.”
My office is looking forward to working with the new task force to help develop (or strengthen existing) programs to strike at the heart of poverty.
-Kevin
Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Ward 3 City Council Office by Katie Bolger
Earlier in the month, Council Member Dahl and Ward 3 staff were honored to be invited to meet with Chairman Peter Yucupicio and the Council of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. We met inside the Richey School Auditorium a few blocks south of Grant Road on 15th Avenue in the Old Pascua neighborhood. Formerly a Tucson Unified School District elementary school, Richey now houses a variety of tribal programs and projects.
Council Member Dahl is given a painting by Tribal Chair Peter Yucupicio
In 1920 forty acres of land were donated by A.M. Franklin to establish the Yaqui Nation. A portion of that is now known as Old Pascua. The area has been used as a sacred ceremonial site since 1921 and is home to the oldest formally established Yaqui community in Tucson. In 1959 the land was annexed into the City of Tucson and with the encroachment came challenges related to regulation, taxation, ownership of their sacred, cultural, traditional and religious grounds.
In 1978, the Pascua Yaqui tribe was granted federal recognition and 202 acres (not including Old Pascua) of reservation land base. In July of 2021, Congressman Grijalva introduced a bill (still pending) that would place Old Pascua lands into a trust on behalf of the tribe. This would enable the Tribe to conduct gaming activities and expand economic development opportunities as well as expand housing, social and community services.
Our lunch meeting with the Chairman and the Council touched on many subjects from working with the city on water supply and storage to the cultural and historical importance of their procession route to the need for more housing and services.
We are looking forward to deepening our relationships with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Chairman Yucupicio while supporting them in their interest of preserving the Tribe’s culture, sacred historic properties and economic self-sufficiency.
A Safer Intersection Planned for Grant and Alvernon by CJ Boyd
Tucson has roughly one bike or pedestrian fatality per week, which is a staggering frequency for a city of our size, and it is unacceptable. Mayor and Council are looking at ways to address traffic safety concerns and reduce the number of collisions and deaths caused by cars. At next week’s Study Session, they will review a proposal for Tucson to become a “Vision Zero Community” – a city that works systematically to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Grant and Alvernon, the future site of Tucson's first protected intersection for bicyclists
Last week the Ward 3 office hosted a forum for residents affected by the Grant Road widening project. It was a chance to ask questions and learn more about the Road Safety Assessment (RSA) that was recently completed for phases 5 & 6 of the construction project, which affects Grant from Park Avenue to Palo Verde Rd. The majority of questions were answered by Alejandro Angel, the Project Director from the engineering company PSOMAS overseeing the widening, with support from the Ward 3 office, Department of Transportation and Mobility, and Planning and Development Services.
A protected intersection in Chicago
An interesting safety feature planned for the road widening is called a Protected Intersection (also known as a Dutch Junction because of their popularity in the Netherlands). This is an intersection designed to provide more protection for bicyclists and pedestrians by changing where each set of travelers stops at the intersection. By requiring cars to stop slightly behind the bikes, and by providing a physical buffer around the bike path, this approach significantly reduces the chance of a car hitting a cyclist during a right-hand turn. This design has been common in the Netherlands and other European countries for years It has recently been used in American cities that want to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist deaths due to cars. Promoted by the National Association of City Transport Officials, protected intersections have seen increased use in Austin, Portland, Salt Lake City, Davis, Boston, and now Tucson.
Tucson’s first Dutch Junction is slated for Grant and Alvernon, with the possibility of one at Grant and Mountain as well. In the last 5 years, the Grant and Alvernon intersection has seen 2 deaths (a pedestrian and a motorist) and 6 incapacitating injuries (5 pedestrians and a bicyclist). We need to see those numbers of deaths and injuries reduced.
While protected intersections hold significant promise for improving safety for people walking and biking, it is important to consider the physical environment where they are installed. Alejandro noted that Protected Intersections can constrain truck movements, require significant space, and are costly to build and maintain. Therefore, they are most attractive at locations with significant bicycle/pedestrian use and limited freight traffic. He also pointed out that road design is one key piece in increasing safety. Proper lighting, speed enforcement, and education on where to cross safely are also necessary. Cities where these intersections have been used effectively to reduce collisions with pedestrians and cyclists have also implemented additional safety measures as well.
Ward 3 wants to make it easier and safer to choose non-motorized forms of transportation around the city. We will continue to prioritize accessible and safe routes for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Flowing Wells Neighborhood by Marlene Avelino
Flowing Wells neighborhood is bounded on the North by Ina Road and Grant Road to the South with the Santa Cruz River to the West and Fairview to the East, about half of the neighborhood is outside of the city, represented by Supervisor Sharon Bronson.
Early Flowing Wells area canal, 1890
“The area was named after the bubbling water from sunken pipes at the base of Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain) by Warren Allison. Around 1895, Allison bought 500 acres of uncultivated land about three miles northwest of downtown Tucson. He and a sturdy team dug a canal, the Allison Ditch, from his wellfield to his land, called the Flowing Wells Ranch, to grow alfalfa, hay, watermelons, and cantaloupes,” an excerpt from Kevin and Marie Daily’s book, Flowing Wells.
In 1922 this water source was formally established as a water utility, the Flowing Wells Irrigation District, and still serves modern day residents between Miracle Mile to Rillito River and the I-10 to Fairview Ave. The utility serves more than 16,000 people, with nine active wells pumping water from the Tucson Basin aquifer at 205 feet to 400 feet deep.
The eye-catching Walter Douglas Elementary School with it's dramatic, fluted thin-shelled concrete roofs, built in 1963, designed by architect John A. Shaver
Flowing Wells has a public library branch and their own school district. Many residents credit the school system for the family feel to the neighborhood. “I love this area because the Flowing Wells School District has created a family atmosphere for the area. We seem to know each other because our six elementary schools feed into one Jr High and one traditional high school and one alternative school,” said Kevin Daily, President of the Flowing Wells Neighborhood Association and Community Coalition.
Flowing Wells has a very active neighborhood association. Organized in 1995, community members got together with general goals of installing streetlights, reducing street flooding, and cleaning up the neighborhood. They expanded their ambitions and in 2000, the association partnered with several organizations to develop and implement a 5-year Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Plan. The plan was approved by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and the Board of Supervisors in 2001, and has been extended every 5 years.
The association has been involved in the planning and execution of Flowing Wells Park, Curtis Neighborhood Park, Ellie Towne Community Center, the public library, a health/dental center, a new Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) Center, the Pima County I'm Home housing project, the Pima County Get in the Zone (open storage and unregistered vehicle project), and the development of the Flowing Wells Business Corridor. The association meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 pm. They are currently hosting hybrid meetings; you can join via zoom or in person at the Ellie Towne Community Center.
Flowing Wells has an active Crime Watch Association headed up by Nicole Snook, who is still considered a newbie to the neighborhood since she only just moved in in 2002. Most neighbors have been in their homes since they were built in the 50s. “As a neighborhood group, we have learned to get to know each other by name, not just by face or the car we drive. We've learned about each other's pets so that if they get out, we can help get them home safely. We have coordinated TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) for our community cats. We have found out what assets we have and the needs we have so that we can help match neighbor with neighbor when it comes to getting things done. We have cleaned up the area to make it safer and friendlier. We've donated to neighbors in need and helped students fundraise for their schools,” says Nicole Snook.
One of Flowing Wells’ most beloved Mexican food spots, Aqui Con El Nene
Another neighbor, Curt Brill, adds, “We began our pursuit of the neighborhood watch to make our neighborhood cleaner, safer and friendlier. The friendlier part seems to me to be the part where the real rewards are felt. It is measured by a shared sense of community where we can walk down the street and are greeted by name by our neighbors. Our meetings were initially filled with grumblings of what was wrong. Now little by little as we participate with each other, the interactions are more small moments of chatting with each other. I now get messages from neighbors to come pick up some homemade tamales or to come pick roses from their abundant rose bushes. We get to know each other as people, as individuals.”
Crime Watch meets every third Saturday at 4 pm in hybrid meetings, in person at Old Times Kafe and on zoom.
Ward 3 Neighborhood and Coalition Meetings
Cabrini
Thursday
May 5
6-7 pm
zoom
Feldman’s
Thursday
May 5
7-8:15
zoom
Alvernon/Grant Initiative
TUESDAY
MAY 10
6 pm
EMMANUEL CHURCH 1825 N ALVERNON
Balboa Heights
 The Ward 3 office is open. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email at ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
Ward 3 Events
Ward 3 Expungement Clinic
Donna Liggins Center Senior Meal Program
Donna Liggins Center senior meal program is provided by Pima Council on Aging (PCOA). It’s open to all individuals 60 years and older and their spouse and/or caregiver regardless of age. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00pm with a suggested donation of $2.00. Come and join us for a hot, tasty, and nutritious meal and reconnect with old friends or meet new people! The Grab & Go meals will NOT be continuing, however if you would like to find out on how to qualify for Home Delivered Meals, please call the PCOA Helpline at 520-790-7262. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to DLC staff at 520-791-3247. Have lunch and make a friend!
Shred It Event
Tucson Norte-Sur Open House
Ready, Set, Rec!
Friends of Marty Birdman Yard Sale
Drawing Studio
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