MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD NEW
April 1996
Message from the President: Neighborhood Park
We have obtained a $70,000 CDBG Grant from the City for construction of the park, plus a $26,000 donation from Pima County for construction of the Little League backstop and dugouts. Robie Pardee is contacting local landscape companies to solicit the donation of irrigation modifications and prep work for the baseball diamond. We still need a donation of infield soil mix.
We have also applied for a grant from PRO Neighborhoods to cover costs of soccer field goals and a 5-tiered bleacher for the ball field.
The concerns about parking and traffic hazards on Seneca have been resolved. A joint meeting between residents, Wright School, Head Start and City Parks and Recreation proposed the following compromise: move the gate that leads to Head Start from its current location at the corner of Seneca and Columbus 42 feet east; eliminate the proposed 20 designated parking spaces along Seneca and the proposed north entrance to the Park.
The Tucson Pima Arts Council has obtained a grant to provide public art for the park. Ten neighborhood teens will be given 7-week summer jobs supervised by a local artist. Neighbors expressed interest in seeing mosaic tile benches and bordered walkways (and perhaps a bulletin board) with a southwestern or Native American motif. If you have any ideas or suggestions please call PAC’s Art Education Program at 624-0595 ext. 20.
This 2-year cooperative effort of neighbors and local government is about to come to fruition. We hope to see the park fully realized in the next 6 months. Come to the next meeting for updates.
Spin Program
The SPIN Program (Supporting People in Neighborhoods) got the go-ahead at the April meeting to launch a survey of all the businesses in our neighborhood (the square mile bordered by Swan/Alvernon and Speedway/Grant). The information they obtain will go onto a database and will be available for use in any future projects. The survey will take place May 2l-23, l996. If you have any suggestions or questions to ask on the survey, call Martha Cooper at 327-4733. If you would like to help out with the survey, call Connie Brannock at 884-2864. SPIN is also available to coordinate a neighborhood cleanup.
Speed Humps
The speed humps on North Street have been installed, and the traffic situation has greatly improved. Contact Donna Malchow at 325-2318 if you would like to know more about getting speed humps on your street.
Pima Street Widening
Pima Street has been earmarked for widening to a 5-lane "collector" street. Due to concerns about increased traffic, speed, noise, and rain runoff, the Pima Street Advisory Council has formed to ensure community input into the project. Midtown and Palo Verde Neighborhood Associations are cooperating on this Council. For more information call Burr at 621-8411.
Tree Planting
On April 4 Kathi Finfrock, our youth jobs coordinator, arranged for 20 neighborhood teens to plant 24 thornless mesquite saplings along the north fence of Wright School facing Seneca. Special thanks to Trees for Tucson and local neighbors who showed up with refreshments, garden tools, hoses, and good cheer. The Tucson Citizen, Channel 13, and Channel 12 also made an appearance. The planning went very well and was completed in less than 3 hours.
Further tree planting will proceed in two phases. Yard trees: An order form will be sent out in late summer for those of you who wish to obtain trees at approximately 1/3 retail for planting in your yard (limit 2 trees per house). The trees will be delivered to you along with planting/pruning instructions. Upon request, planting assistance will be provided. Street trees: Clusters of 5 to 10 trees planted along the street dramatically improve the look of your street. Margaret Leonard, our tree planting coordinator will work with you to organize a tree planting on your street. Our first organized street tree planting is scheduled for October 19, 1996. Don’t wait. If you are interested in having street trees in front of your house call Margaret now at 323-5049.
Neighborhood Street Fair
Neighbors have expressed an interest in holding an annual fundraiser (for tree plantings, etc.) at the new Park, perhaps in October. Ideas: Cakewalk, barbeque, talent show, kid art auction, booths, etc. If interested, or for more information call Margaret at 323-5049, or come to the next meeting.
Message from the President
It was great to see so many of you at our April meeting. We are especially happy to have had so many new faces there. It is amazing to me how many projects we are already involved in, considering that we have only been officially an association for six months. Your enthusiasm and energy are paramount to our being a successful association. And I think that our format of "BRING A DISH AND A DOLLAR" is outstanding. See you in May.