The APNA Board of directors retreated to the Armory Park Senior Center today (January 12) to hash over plans for the coming year and address looming issues.
Prime among them were development pressures on the north side of Armory Park, and a planned city zoning overlay that could trump historic preservation concerns within much of the neighborhood. We’re going to need lots of involvement by neighbors to make sure we don’t get steamrolled by this.
One point mentioned was that the city has appeared to give less and less credence to the concerns of neighborhoods as it lays out such plans. We pledged to engage more closely with the offices of Ward Five and Ward Six, to ensure that our council members are aware of our concerns.
Board members will also be attending meetings related to the “Plan Tucson” long-range comprehensive plan for city development, and will discuss parking, historic preservation and other concerns.
We also noted achievements in the past year, including a very successful historic home tour and approval of development principles that can be tapped in negotiations with developers hoping to build in or adjacent to the neighborhood.
At February’s meeting, we will discuss our efforts to create a “quiet zone” for the railroad spur running just east of Jacobus Avenue, and will request to have someone from the Regional Transportation Authority discuss findings from a recent safety study of the line from 22nd Street to 16th Street.
We’re also planning a major effort to build membership in the Armory Park Neighborhood Association through more outreach, such as hand-delivered bulletins and social events. And we are revamping our meetings, to schedule shorter, more topic-focused gatherings.
A side note: it appears that federal regulations tied to funding for the modern street car prohibit any closures of roads traversed by the line, including Congress Street and Broadway Boulevard. As a result, events such as the Parade of Lights will no longer be held in Armory Park.
Finally, we voted unanimously to oppose the granting of a liquor license for the Macarena Indoor Sports Arena, 555 E. 18th Street. The arena fills the south half of a big warehouse on the corner of 18th Street and Jacobus Avenue.
Having already experienced late-night noise, parking and alcohol issues associated with Maracana, immediate neighbors are very opposed to granting the facility a liquor license.
Perhaps in another location, such an application would be feasible. But the Maracana is extremely close to nearby homes, has insufficient parking, and already suffers a track record of creating headaches for neighbors.
To register your opinion regarding a liquor license at this facility, please submit your comments in writing to:
City of Tucson, City Clerk’s Office
P.O. Box 27210
Tucson, AZ 85726-7210
Councilman Steve Kozachik
Midtown Ward Six
3202 E. 1st Street
Tucson, AZ 85716
Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control
800 W. Washington
5th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The mayor and council make recommendations to the state department on whether a license should be granted, so sharing your feelings with them is very important.
The deadline for receiving comments is January 28.
The hearing before mayor and council will be held at 5:30 p.m. on February 12.
Stay tuned, Armory Parkers!
Armory Park Neighborhood Association 