Garden District
Neighborhood Association
Grant to Speedway,
Swan to Alvernon
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NON - EMERGENCY POLICE
520-791-4444 NOT for crimes in progress.
FRONT DESK AT HARDESTY POLICE STATION 791-4253 8 to 5 pm M - Th
LEAD POLICE OFFICERS:
Scott Wakefield (520)589-8822
Tues.-Fri. 5:30am until 3:30pm
Mon.-Thurs. 5:00pm until 3:00am.
TPD CSO RAMON SILVAS Neighborhood Watch, share video/photos of criminals, report suspicious activity or on-going crime concerns
HOMELESS IN NEED OF SERVICES & SHELTER
Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)
Report an encampment 520.837.7425
For Services & Resources for the Homeless:
Call: 520-791-2540
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REPORT CODE VIOLATIONS, ROAD HAZARDS, GRAFFITI, ETC. 520-792-CITY (2489)
IF THE WRIGHT SCHOOL PARK IS LOCKED, CALL TUSD SECURITY 520-584-7676
AND PARKS & REC 520-791-4144
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BAG TRASH, BUT DO NOT BAG RECYCLING!
NO PLASTIC BAGS IN BLUE RECYCLING BIN.
RECYCLING OR TRASH CAN BROKEN?
GET A FREE REPLACEMENT
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT ON GRANT/WALNUT AND CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC THROUGH GARDEN DISTRICT |
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GARDEN DISTRICT SPEAK UP!
We have a lot of construction coming our way in the next few years and with its arrival, there will inevitably come problems. Potholes. Heavy trucks driving on residential streets. Excessive traffic on Pima. Traffic diverted onto residential streets. Some of these problems we can do something about.
This past week, in preparation for resurfacing streets north of Grant in Oak Flower Neighborhood, the City moved multiple heavy vehicles onto a vacant lot on Grant at Walnut. They are also dumping and storing construction materials, such as gravel, on the lot.
A company called Outlaw trucking has massive trucks that are bringing in tons of gravel to dump on the lot. Instead of going back onto Grant when they exit the lot, some of the trucks have been turning into the neighborhood.
This section of GDNA has windy streets which non-residents often have difficulty navigating and finding their way out to a major street. GDNA received some questions from residents about the heavy trucks on their street dodging dog walkers and trying to drive around vegetated traffic circles and chicanes. Friday, one of the trucks even left a large spill of oil or hydraulic fluid on the frontage road at Pima and Louis and another tore a huge pothole in Walnut.
GDNA contacted Bob Roggenthen, City of Tucson project manager. He replied and said Monday he will ensure that the trucks from the staging lot will not be traveling through the neighborhood. The spill will also be cleaned up on Monday.
We are just at the start of significant road construction in our neighborhood.
PLEASE SPEAK UP WHEN YOU SEE ISSUES IMPACTING SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
CALL OR EMAIL . . .
Contact GDNA and Bob Roggenthen, the City of Tucson Project Manager,
any time you see issues generated from City construction activities.
Bob's email will always be at the top of every newsletter.
If there are heavy trucks traveling on residential streets, they are not allowed to be there, due to their weight tearing up our streets and their height ripping branches off of street trees, not to mention safety issues with pedestrians and bicyclists. If many vehicles are detouring off Grant and into the neighborhood to avoid construction that means we need more traffic control signage. Don't just complain to your neighbor, complain to BOB! Get the problem rectified.
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ADOPT A POTHOLE IN GDNA AND GET IT FILLED IN! |
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Potholes are so easy to get fixed.
It literally takes just a moment to do.
You just need a specific location
and a phone or laptop.
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WHEN WILL GDNA'S STREETS BE RESURFACED? |
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In February 2023, the Independent Oversight and Accountability Commission (IOAC), met and approved the initial project plan and map for Neighborhood Street Improvements funded by Prop 411: Tucson Delivers Better Streets, Safe Streets. The IOAC designated our SE Quadrant (Columbus to Swan, Pima to Speedway) as falling into the "Worst First" category and so it is scheduled to have its streets resurfaced within the next year. The SW Quadrant was resurfaced after SW Gas ripped up their streets to replace extensive gas lines.
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SOUTH OF PIMA
The Southwest Quadrant has been completed due to a SW Gas project that tore up all their streets.
The Southeast Quadrant is due sometime this year. The City has not informed us of the date yet. You will receive advance notice and the City will ask that street trees be pruned to a certain height.
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NORTH OF PIMA
A street outlined in RED received the lowest ranking possible which means it is labeled "Failed/Very Poor".
ORANGE means "Poor' Condition
BLUE is "Fair".
Even though we have so many RED streets, especially in the Northwest Quadrant, at this time, the north side GDNA streets do not yet appear on the City's schedule for repair. The schedule for next year has not been released yet.
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WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENSURE OUR STREETS ARE REPAIRED SOONER THAN LATER:
COMPLAIN:
Every pothole you report helps lower the score of our streets and makes it more evident that we need resurfacing.
Besides potholes, clean up of drainage grates, missing traffic signs, malfunctioning traffic lights, etc., you can also report that a street needs to be resurfaced. Be specific about why you think a street's condition has deteriorated so that its safety has been compromised.
CALL: Phone: (520) 791-4371 OR Fax: (520) 791-5641
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ROLL OFF DUMPSTERS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP |
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GDNA is trying to schedule our second set of neighborhood roll off dumpsters for the year. We are allowed one roll off dumpster in each quadrant twice a year.
Brush and Bulky is not until August 4. We are trying to schedule for roll offs in mid-June. Nothing is finalized with the City, though. We have contacted Environmental Services twice this week, but so far no one has responded to our requests for mid-June dates.
There will NOT be a postal mailing to notify residents of when or where the roll offs will be in GDNA. Notification of the dates and locations will only be through the newsletter, kiosks, or word of mouth. Keep an eye on the newsletter. We hope to have the dates finalized by next week's edition. Be sure to tell your neighbors when the dates are set!
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COFFEE WITH A COP ON MAY 31 |
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THANK YOU TO ALL THE NEIGHBORS WHO PICK UP LITTER |
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It is such a simple thing to do, but it is such an immensely powerful and impactful thing to do for yourself and your neighbors.
The presence of litter in a community impacts safety, quality of life, crime, property values, and housing prices.
Research studies show that litter and graffiti go hand in hand with crime. Antisocial and rule and law breaking behavior, such as littering and graffiti, leads to other types of more serious crimes, such as stealing, vandalism, etc. If you overlay a map of an area that has littering problems with a crime statistics map, you will see the correlation.
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Litter is expensive to clean up. Nationally it costs bliions of dollars nationally a year to clean up.
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·Litter is harmful to the environment - clogging our sewers and waterways and contaminating our ground water with toxic chemicals. (This especially includes cigarette butts. The filters are fiberglass and have numerous toxic chemicals).
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Litter kills or injures animals - not just through ingesting or becoming entangled in the litter, but also by attracting them to roadways with food scraps where they are killed by vehicles.
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Litter limits economic growth in an area since businesses and home owners don't invest in a community that lacks the pride to control litter.
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Litter is a safety hazard - Hundreds of people a year die in auto accidents caused by litter. in road ways
We have so many residents in Garden District who take it upon themselves to regularly pick up litter. Neighbors like Mary, Marsha, Kris, and Lois, who care about their homes, their neighborhood, and regularly pick up litter. Pictured above is Elise in the Northwest Quadrant (Columbus to Alvernon, Pima to Grant). She goes out a couple times a week and uses a trash grabber to pick up trash. She even carries two bags and sorts the plastic litter into one of the bags to take to the Ward VI office.
If you see a neighbor out picking up litter, stop and thank them --
then lend a hand and join them!
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WANT TO HELP FIGHT CRIME IN GDNA?
PICK UP LITTER.
Your most important tool if you are picking up litter is a trash grabber. The best type of grabber it NOT the kind with the suction cups, but the type pictured to the left. They are available online for as little as $12. You can easily find them in town at any hardware store or general merchandise store like Target, Home Depot, or Walmart. The better quality the grabber is (and the less likely to break quickly), the higher the price can be, but a grabber around $20 is usually a good buy.
Unfortunately, in this day and age with the drug use in central Tucson, Tucson Police advise us to never pick up any trash barehanded - or even with plastic gloves on. NEVER. Always use a grabber and put the trash directly into a plastic bag. Be especially careful when picking up items that may be contaminated by drug residue. These include: burned foil, Kleenex, needles, pipes, Q-tips, metal cartridges, and straws. DO NOT LET YOUR DOGS PICK THEM UP EITHER. There is drug residue left on them.
It is critical to clean up the litter generated by drug use.
Other junkies will see it laying on the ground and realize that this is a safe neighborhood in which to do drugs and that the neighbors won't notice. The neighbors won't care. The neighbors won't call the police. We have got to keep our streets clean of drug paraphernalia.
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HEADS UP! RAT PROBLEM IN SAM HUGHES NEIGHBORHOOD |
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The Sam Hughes listserv this week has been full of chatter about Norwegian and Roof rats being spotted in homes and around the neighborhood at various locations. Sam Hughes is south of Speedway, between Country Club and Campbell, so only a few miles away.
Some of our older homes in GDNA have crawl spaces underneath and attic spaces above. These should be boarded up and sealed to prevent rats from accessing the building.
PLEASE, SHOULD A PROBLEM DEVELOP IN GDNA,
DO NOT USE RAT POISON
Hawks, kestrels, owls and other Birds of Prey can die from ingesting rats that have been poisoned. This happened this Spring in Winterhaven Neighborhood where a family of 3 owls died. It is believed they died from eating poisoned rodents.
If you do see rats in Garden District, please contact our GDNA aide, Dora, in Councilmember Kozachik's office: dora.maldonado@tucsonaz.gov They need information so Pima County can take action. Please also contact GDNA.
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SUMMER POOL SCHEDULE AND AQUATICS PROGRAMS |
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The closest public pool to Garden District
is at Catalina High School
on the Dodge side of the school.
Adult Lap and Recreational Swim times
are on the schedule below.
Tucson Parks and Recreation is delighted to announce the eagerly awaited summer pool schedule, which will run from May 28-July 30. Thanks to a successful year of lifeguard recruitment, we were able to hire over 250 lifeguards and are thrilled to open 20 pools across the city, providing residents with ample opportunities to cool off and enjoy during the summer months. With scorching temperatures on the horizon, Tucson Parks and Recreation has made it a top priority to ensure that residents have access to safe and enjoyable swimming facilities. The dedicated efforts in lifeguard recruitment have paid off, allowing us to extend our services and accommodate a greater number of visitors than ever before.
In addition, the department will be offering aquatics programs throughout the summer:
Swim Lessons
StarBabies (ages 6 months-2 years old): Introduces infants and toddlers to the water in a fun and loving environment. Classes incorporate songs, activities, and water safety education.
Starfish Swim School (ages 3-12 years old): This class is for those who are beginning to learn to swim and are not able to swim freestyle across the deep end of the pool.
- Locations vary
- Cost is $15/session for city resident, $18/session for non-city resident
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Online at EZEEreg.com beginning Tuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.
Adaptive Swim Adaptive swim instruction for children with physical or cognitive disabilities.
- Parent participation is required
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View classes online at EZEEreg.com
- Call (520) 837-8059 for prescreening and approval to register today.
Competitive Swim Teams For those seeking a more challenging aquatic experience, we invite you to join our competitive swim teams.
- Participants must be able to swim a recognizable competitive stroke one length of the pool without stopping.
- Swim Championships will be in late July
- Locations vary
- Ages 17 and younger
- Cost is $30/city-resident; $38/non-city resident
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Online at EZEEreg.com beginning Tuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m. (capped at 50 per site)
Synchronized Swim Teams Do you like to dance and swim, then synchro is for you. Swimmers should be comfortable in deep water. All participants will learn basic synchro skills and a choreographed routine.
- Season begins June 5
- Locations vary
- Ages 6-17 years old (Accepting beginners through intermediate levels)
- Cost is $41/city-resident; $51/non-city resident
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Online at EZEEreg.com beginning Tuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.
Water Aerobics Classes Water Aerobics offers cardiovascular, muscular, and weight loss benefits, in addition to keeping your bones and joints healthy. No swimming skills are necessary as class will be conducted in chest-high water.
- May 30-July 20, Tuesdays/Thursdays from 10:45-11:30 a.m.
- Locations vary
- Ages 14 years old and older
- Cost is $48/city-resident; $60/non-city resident
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Register online at EZEEreg.com
We encourage everyone to mark their calendars and prepare for a summer filled with fun and excitement at Tucson's pools. Be sure to visit our website, www.tucsonaz.gov/parks, for the complete pool schedule, registration information, and details about our aquatics programs. Some summer pools will be piloting an extended season into September. Those details will follow later in the summer season.
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FROM THE WARD 3, MAY 20, 2023 NEWSLETTER:
About 140,000 households in Tucson have City waste removal service. Most of those also have recycling. Of those, about 100,000 use the 90 gallon trash cans that are typically serviced in front of homes. About 6,000 use smaller containers (either 65 or 48 gallon). And about 33,000 people are serviced with a shared 300 gallon container that is typically located in an alley.
The Environmental and General Services Department (EGSD) is the department responsible for waste pick up from both residential and commercial properties. Currently there are 58 collection truck operators for residential service and 13 vacancies, meaning they’re operating at about 82% capacity. That can make it hard to collect those 140,000 cans every week (plus nearly as many recycling containers every other week).
According to Both Mr. Lucero and Mr. Doumert, a standard work week is 4 shifts of at least 10 hours, with the option of an “overtime day”. Because the department is short-staffed, truck operators have the option of working an extra day with overtime (bringing their work week up to 50 or more hours). According to Pat Tapia, Deputy Director of EGSD, the department needs a minimum of 44 operators per day and as such, an average of 2 to 4 operators are asked to volunteer for overtime on a daily basis to cover employees who are out or are unable to run routes for the day.
In addition to being short staffed, picking up all of Tucson’s trash is made harder by a number of safety concerns in the alleys. Overgrown tree limbs are a constant menace to truck operators who have had windshields cracked or broken. Furniture and other large items are often dumped in alley ways creating a dangerous obstacle course for drivers. Thick vegetation and weeds can obscure utility boxes and other immobile objects that the driver is liable to hit through no fault of their own. These incidents generate investigations which may or may not lead to operators being disciplined. This in turn creates a stressful situation for our truck operators that makes it harder to retain employees and fill those vacancies.
By City ordinance, alleys are supposed to be a minimum of 16 feet wide in order to have alley trash service. This minimum is to give the operators enough room to drive safely, and to maneuver these 300 gallon cans. Many alleys are significantly narrower than that, and in many cases they still have trash service, despite the hazard that poses. In some cases, people have built fences and walls out beyond their actual property line, and they are permanently making the alley too narrow for trucks to navigate safely.
Many Tucson residents do not realize that homeowners are legally responsible for the upkeep of their alley. The property lines to either side of a home extend out into the alley, just up to the center point. Alleys are an interesting category in between public and private. They are public in the sense that anyone is allowed on them, but they are private in the sense that they are the legal responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.
Overgrown weeds and trees make a truck operator's job much harder.
As we work with the EGSD to figure out solutions to these safety concerns, we ask that our readers consider their own alleys, and whether they are in need of trimming and other maintenance. We’ve got truck operators like John and Ben and Aundre working hard to keep our neighborhoods clean and tidy. We can do them a solid by making sure our own alleys are safe for them to work in.
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LOW-INCOME WATER CONSERVATION SERVICES
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Qualifying Tucson Water customers can apply to receive grants and loans to install rainwater harvesting and gray water irrigation systems.
In partnership with Sonoran Environmental Research Institute (SERI), participants can receive up to $1,000 in grants and $2,000 in zero-interest loans, and SERI will cover the upfront cost of the project.
Other programs include discounted high-efficiency clothes washers. Eligible customers can purchase a machine for $200 with a zero-interest loan.
There's also free toilet replacement available, in partnership with Community Home Repair Projects of Arizona. Customers who own their homes can receive up to two toilet replacements at no cost. For more information, follow the link below.
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HIGH-EFFICIENCY CLOTHES WASHER AND TOILET REBATES AVAILABLE |
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Tucson Water customers can apply to get rebates when purchasing and installing qualifying high-efficiency toilets and/or clothes washers. Single-family rebates are $100 for the purchase of a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer or replacing your old front-loading machine with a new front-loading machine. Get a $200 rebate if replacing your old top-loading machine with a new front-loading machine. Residential, multi-family, and commercial customers can also get a $100 rebate when buying Premium High-Efficiency toilets. Qualifying low-income customers can purchase a discounted high-efficiency clothes washer for $200. Learn more about the rebate programs and see eligibility and requirements by following the link below.
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ENJOY HIKING? HELP WMG TRACK CREEK & RIVER FLOW IN TUCSON |
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Flow365 New Monitor Virtual Training
Thursday, June 1st @ 5:30pm - 7:30pm
WMG is searching for community members in Tucson and the surrounding area to help monitor flow in our creeks and rivers. These volunteers spend time all year round collecting data on the flow in our creeks and rivers, so if you love getting outside, this volunteer opportunity is for you! We are looking for dedicated volunteers who have a passion for our creeks and want to learn and document how they change year round.
At this online training, Lauren Monheim, WMG's River Run Network Program Manager, will introduce you to our 50-year vision of flowing creeks and rivers, supported by our growing River Run Network, and explain how your involvement can help us, the City, and the County protect and restore flows across the basin. Read more about the Flow365 Monitoring Program.
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MOSQUIT0ES ONLY NEED 3 DAYS OF STANDING WATER TO GO FROM EGG TO ADULT |
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With rain this past week, just a quick reminder that a mosquito only needs three days of a spoonful of standing water to go from egg to adult.
Limit Breeding Habitat
Mosquitoes require water to breed. Adult mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant or slow moving water, or on moist soil or leaf litter in areas likely to collect water. By eliminating these water sources, you can keep new generations of mosquitoes from taking up residence in your yard.
- Drill holes in the bottom, not the sides, of any garbage or recycling containers stored outdoors. Holes on the sides still allow enough water to accumulate in the bottom for mosquitoes to breed.
- Keep gutters clean and unclogged. Be sure your downspouts drain properly, without leaving puddles in the drainage area. You may need to reroute your downspouts or add extensions to carry water away.
- Keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated, even when not in use. Homeowners who go on vacation without chlorinating their pools may return to a veritable mosquito hatchery.
- Walk your property after a rain, and look for areas in the landscape that are not draining well. If you find puddles that remain for four or more days, regrade the area.
- Ornamental ponds should be aerated to keep water moving and discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs. Alternately, stock the pond with mosquito-eating fish.
- Dump anything that holds water twice per week if it has rained. Birdbaths, non-chlorinated wading pools, footbaths, garbage can lids, and pottery will all attract breeding mosquitoes. Remember to empty the saucers under your flower pots, and don't leave water in pet bowls for more than two days.
- Keep your property clean of items that can hold water, including discarded aluminum cans and tires.
Limit Adult Habitat
Adult mosquitoes rest during the day, usually on tall weeds or other vegetation. Make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes by mowing your lawn regularly, and keep weeds away from your home's foundation.
Click on the links below to view info on the "Mosquito Bucket of Doom"
and other valuable into on controlling mosquitoes.
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HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING |
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Many Tucsonans are now aware of our water crisis, but so many still haven't heard of one of the most impactful solutions available: rainwater harvesting!
Rainwater harvesting catchment basins are an inexpensive way to start conserving City water in your landscaping. Please join our campaign to show our neighbors the joys of rainwater harvesting catchment basins! Simply get outside in this lovely spring weather and take an inspiring photo of your favorite catchment basin full of wildflowers or nourishing a full native tree. Then share the photo on your personal and neighborhood social media pages or email your Tucson friends. In the comment section type, "I love my rainwater harvesting basin!"
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PARTICIPATE IN TUCSON EQUITY SURVEY |
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Survey Participation Requested! for the Tucson Equity Data Strategy (TEDS)
The City of Tucson is committed to fairness and equity in its services, hiring practices, and decision-making. To achieve this, it's important to gather data so we know where we stand, what work is needed, and the progress we've made in achieving fairness and equity in all aspects of our work. To help collect and analyze the necessary data, the Office of Equity and the City's Demographic Working Group are creating the Tucson Equity Data Strategy (TEDS). TEDS empowers city staff, community organizations, and citizens to use data for equitable outcomes.
Right now, they’re looking for community and staff feedback on two pieces of the strategy:
Measuring Social Vulnerability
- You’ll be asked: What factors contribute to feelings and experiences of vulnerability for you.
- Why this matters: This feedback is crucial to helping guide the City on where to direct its efforts and resources to have the most impact on those in need.
Demographic Data Collection
- You’ll be asked: A series of proposed demographic questions about yourself—like your race, ethnicity, and gender—and how you feel about answering these questions.
- Why this matters: The way the City uses demographic questions and answers in surveys is important for ensuring that our diverse community's identities are accurately represented and understood.
Your feedback on these two aspects of the strategy will contribute to making Tucson a more inclusive community where everyone is respected and represented. It will help the City prioritize fairness in delivering services and making decisions. Your input is valuable in shaping a better Tucson that values equity and ensures that all members of the community are treated fairly.
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SEE, CLICK, FIX IS A HANDY APP FOR REPORTING NON-EMERGENCY PROBLEMS AND . . . POTHOLES |
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When you see a non-emergency problem - a new pothole, a burnt out streetlight or bulky trash in the right of way - try SeeClickFix. You can submit a report any time and you will be notified when it is resolved. You will be asked for a street address and to choose from a list of potential problems.
It's helpful to have a photo to upload, but not mandatory. Your request will be routed to the appropriate City department. SeeClickFix publicly documents the issue and notifies local governments and others who resolve the problem.
A great tool to have in your arsenal to quickly and easily report assorted problems throughout Tucson. Available at the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store for Android users. FREE!
You don't have to use the "SeeClickFix" app on your phone! You can also report issues online thru it!
You don't have to have a photo and you can remain anonymous:
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(Thank you to newsletters in Jefferson Park, Palo Verde and North Dodge Neighborhoods)
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ISKASHITAA REFUGEE NETWORK SEEKING DONATIONS OF CANNING JARS |
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Ward 3, 1510 E Grant Rd,, Is Accepting Donations for the Iskashitaa Refugee Network!
The Ward 3 office is currently accepting donations of art supplies and canning supplies on behalf of the Iskashitaa Refugee Network. We are ONLY accepting jelly jars, Kerr, Mason, or Ball jars for preserving/ canning, with or without canning rings. Feel free to drop by 1510 E. Grant Rd. during our office hours (9 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday) if you'd like to support the work of this wonderful non-profit with a donation.
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AND, if you have any fruit left on your trees . . .
Donate your excess citrus to the Iskashitaa Refugee Network and a team will come to your home to harvest your excess fruit.
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DONATIONS FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS |
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Per Steve Kozachik's newsletter
DROP OFF AT WARD VI OFFICE - 3202 E First St - between 9 and 1.
Ward 6 continues to be a hub for receiving donations. In addition to hygiene products (sunscreen, toiletries, etc.) they can also use baseball caps, belts, shoelaces – all confiscated by CBP when people are detained. And of course kids toys for travel – not big stuff like bikes.
The donations we’re after should be ‘travel size.’ They also need new unopened underwear for men & women sizes small/medium/large and for kids in all sizes. Men's plain T-shirts in sizes small/medium/large in darker colors (easier to keep clean). Socks are also important. They can be any style or color for men, women and children. New or gently used is fine.
And if your still thinking on what to give, Sneakers for men - size 9,10,11,12 and 13. Any that you could possibly walk 6 miles in. New or gently used will be appreciated.
Alitas comes by the ward office weekly to pick up your donations. They join me and my team in thanking those of you who continue to step up and help with what pretty much overnight last week became an emergency, all hands-on deck effort.
Ward VI is also collecting food for the Community Food Bank.
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PLASTIC REPURPOSING PROGRAM |
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Upcycle your plastic
Save and bag plastic.
Take to Ward VI.
Take your plastic waste to
the Ward 6 Council Office at 3202 E First St
Behind the Walgreens across from The Loft Theater
If it is plastic, we will take it!
Sorting is not required and you CAN bag your items!
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMOVE PAPER LABELS ON PLASTIC
AND IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE TOTALLY CLEAN.
IF THE DUMPSTER IS NOT THERE WHEN YOU DROP OFF YOUR PLASTICS,
IT MEANS THAT IT HAS BEEN PICKED UP TO BE EMPTIED.
JUST LEAVE YOUR PLASTICS AGAINST THE WALL.
BE SURE THE BAG IS TIED SO PLASTIC DOES NOT GO FLYING.
A VOLUNTEER WILL PUT THEM IN THE DUMPSTER WHEN IT IS RETURNED.
THE WARD VI DUMPSTER GETS FULL SO QUICKLY, IT HAS TO BE EMPTIED MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK.
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Over the next 4 years the city will make quarterly payments to BF that will help them stand up their operation out at Los Reales. We will begin building the shell of a structure for them to operate from. The article says that’ll cost “$2.4M.” In fact, that figure is inclusive of both the building and the site work necessary to prep for the structure. The building itself is just over $1M, and the city will self-perform much of the site work, so the article overstated the actual cost of that piece. Also, it’s important to note that the city will own the building so if BF ever decides to pull out, we will have the structure to use for other purposes out at the landfill.
The city responsibility will continue to be to collect and deliver the plastics to BF out at the new facility. That comes with a cost so BF is obligated to give the city 10% of the blocks being created for us to use in our own construction projects. If we get to the point where we are in-between projects, we can use the value of the blocks we’d otherwise be getting to offset the payments we’ll be making to BF.
ByFusion has already begun hiring for their Tucson operation. They are starting fabrication of the blocker machine (a “Micro Diversion Platform” - MDP.) That comes at a cost of between $1.5M and $2M. The blocker will be delivered to the new structure we’re putting up out at Los Reales. That’s where the operation will take place once we’re up and running. ByFusion is going to continue hiring local people as they gear up their operation. They’ll also be expanding significantly on the commercial outreach I’ve been helping to get started. I have not run across a business or non-profit that isn’t interested in seeing how they can play a role in diversion of plastics. Also, as Nicole’s article mentions there are already several projects in design. During the pilot of this program, I’ve had the opportunity to introduce the BF team to 4 of our local general contractors, the owners of Ace Hardware, top management at Raytheon, Roadhouse Cinema, Home Depot, the UA and several other ‘intros’ that should be of value as they arrive in Tucson and start to ramp up their local presence.
Other benefits to the city and to the wider community? Preserve the landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our costs to Republic for contaminants that end up at the landfill, reduce deforestation as more building using the blocks evolves, reduce pollution of the ocean and our environment generally, reduce mining activity necessary to produce cinder blocks, and add to our local economy as jobs are created both within the ByFusion operation and out in the workforce as new construction skills are taught using the blocks. There’s no downside.
The total tonnage you’ve provided since last August is now 92.07 tons. Last week was another in which you brought over just under 4 tons of plastic (3.83.) If the community had not stepped towards this program in such a meaningful way BF would not be coming to Tucson. All of us at the ward 6 office are grateful to those of you who have and continue to take part.
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Looking forward to:
Alvernon/Grant Initiative (AGI) - meet with police and neighborhoods in our area. 2nd Tuesday of EVERY month. 6 - 7pm at Emmanuel Church.
Bookmobile at Wright Elementary - 2nd Wednesday of every month, 3 - 4 pm
Brush and Bulky - August 4, 2023
Porch Fest - Fall of 2023?
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WARD VI NEWSLETTER FROM STEVE KOZACHIK |
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Read the Ward VI newsletter by clicking here:
Date: 05/15/2023
Topics in This Issue:
- Refugee Donations
- Plastic Program
- Wednesdays at the Inn
- Craigslist and Puppy Mills
- Transit Fares
- Prop 412
- Supreme Court and Guns
- Neighborhood Association Basics
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22nd Street Bridge
- Game and Fish Adopt a Tortoise
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Council Member Steve Kozachik
3202 E 1st Street
Tucson, AZ 85716
Ph: 520.791.4601
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FREE WATER HARVESTING CLASSES AND REBATE INFORMATION |
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The Tucson Water Conservation Program offers rebates for installing rainwater harvesting (up to $2,000) and permanent gray water irrigation systems (up to $1,000).
A free, three-hour workshop and submission of a project plan are required to qualify. Follow the links below for upcoming workshop dates and Tucson Water's new video "Rainwater and Gray Water Pressurized System - Backflow Prevention Requirement."Click here for more information.
Watershed Management Group classes or work days: https://watershedmg.org/
- Family Saturdays! ~ ¡Sábados Familiares!
- Sat, May 20th @ 8:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.
- Come taste the food from the Sonoran Desert with your family! ~ ¡Ven a saborear los alimentos del Desierto Sonorense con tu familia!
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- Virtual Flow365 New Monitor Training
- Thu, Jun 1st @ 5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m.
- Calling all community members in the greater Tucson area: learn how to monitor flow in our creeks and rivers!
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SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE SUPPORTED GARDEN DISTRICT
BE SURE TO LET THE BUSINESS KNOW YOU ARE FROM GARDEN DISTRICT AND
WHERE YOU READ ABOUT THEM!
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Thank you to the following Garden District businesses for donating to our neighborhood identification signs. We appreciate their partnership and support of our neighborhood. When you visit these businesses, please be sure to tell them you are a Garden District resident and you read about them in our email newsletter.
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Tellurian Eco Design: Stephen Monroe
(520) 342 9761
Designing With Nature: Rainwater, Greywater, and Stormwater Harvesting, Passive Solar Landscape Integration, Design+Build, Consultations
Qualify for up to $2000 with City Rebates
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The Garden District Dairy Queen coming summer, 2022 at Alvernon and Lee.
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1725 N. Swan every day 10-5
letsplay@mildredanddildred.com
Free local delivery our neighborhood: orders $30 or more!
Voted "Best Toy Store" in Tucson Weekly 2021
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520.326.9363
3719 E Speedway
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Arizona's got the sun.
We've got the skill.
You get the power.
520-207-4053
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2130 N Alvernon Way
(520) 303-3945
A Journey into the Spirit of Japan
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3959 E. Mabel St.
520.477.9324
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1225 N. Catalina Ave.
520-299-1582 TTY 711
Charming, quiet, garden-style "all studio" apartment community with pool
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Servicing vehicles of all makes.
4373 E Speedway Blvd
(520)477-0582
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Opening of new facility at 4585 E Speedway
expected Spring, 2022
Call Us: (520) 327-4505
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SIGN A NEIGHBOR UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER |
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If you think this newsletter is a valuable and useful source of information and news regarding your immediate neighborhood as well as our fair city, please don't keep it a secret and let your friends and neighbors know about it.
Please forward and share this e-newsletter with neighbors. Communication and making connections with each other -- that is what will turn us from a collection of houses and apartments into a neighborhood, from strangers into neighbors. We only have a small portion of the neighborhood on this email list.
We have MANY subscribers who are in surrounding neighborhoods who benefit from this newsletter too and everyone is welcomed to subscribe whether they are in our neighborhood, a nearby one or even one quite distant!
To sign up, you can either reply to a newsletter or sign up on our neighborhood website. thegardendistrict.org
YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY HITTING REPLY TO A NEWSLETTER OR GOING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEBSITE thegardendistrict.org Complete the Online Form.
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GARDEN DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
DEPENDS ON YOUR GENEROSITY TO FUND NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS
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Garden District Neighborhood Association does not charge dues and has no means other than fundraisers or your generous donations for raising funds for GDNA's many different projects in the neighborhood. We are a registered 501(C)3 for your tax deductible donations.
Make checks payable to "Garden District" and mail to.
GDNA
c/o Lois Pawlak
P.O. Box 32384
Tucson, AZ 85751
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Garden District Neighborhood
Association Information
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AGI (Alvernon/Grant Initiative) Crime Meeting with Tucson Police and
Neighborhoods and Businesses surrounding Grant and Alvernon
2nd Tuesday of EVERY month, 6:00PM
Location and whether in person or Zoom will be announced in this newsletter.
Garden District Neighborhood Association Quarterly Meetings - Time and date will be announced in this newsletter.
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QUADRANT LEADERS:
NW (PIma to Grant, Alvernon to Columbus) - Lois Pawlak 325-7611
SW (Pima to Speedway, Alvernon to Columbus) - Kris Yarter 370-7679 Phyllis Montgomery 248-9915
YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY HITTING REPLY TO A NEWSLETTER OR GOING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEBSITE thegardendistrict.org AND COMPLETING THE ONLINE FORM.
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"TAKE A BOOK. LEAVE A BOOK"
GARDEN DISTRICT'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
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Little Free Library NW 1 - Justin and Lester
Little Free Library NW 2 - North St. between Isabel and Marion
Little Free Library SW 1 - Bryant and Fairmount
Little Free Library SW 2 - 4044 E. Pima
Little Free Library NE - Bell, near Community Garden, 1933 Bell
Little Free Plant N Garden stand - 1421 N. Catalina
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