DOWNTOWN TUCSON BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FY 21/22 ANNUAL REPORT
To be the catalyst making Downtown Tucson the economic and cultural center of the region -- an inclusive place people want to live, work, and play, and where new ideas flourish.
Downtown Tucson is a downtown for everyone –the region’s eclectic urban hub, where people come to connect, be authentically inspired, prosper, and celebrate diversity.
MISSIONVISION
CONTENTS LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO AND BOARD CHAIR 4 ABOUT THE BID 6 CLEAN AND SAFE 8 BEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC SPACE ACTIVATION 9 MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 10 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIPS .................................... 12 FY 21/22 FINANCIAL SUMMARY ............................................... 13 STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS ............................................... 14
Letter from the President & CEO
4 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP
This past year we hit the ground running by convening our partners and stakeholders to address and solve specific challenges head-on through the creation of the Downtown Safety Summit, Ronstadt Transit Task Force and Armory Park neighborhood meetings. DTP, in partnership with the City of Tucson and Pima County, set the stage for a vibrant holiday season by tight-wrapping 141 street trees and illuminating 60 buildings as part of the Desert Nights Downtown Lights holiday campaign. We also partnered with Pima County to activate Stone Plaza and the Pima County Historic Courthouse Courtyard with outdoor seating, additional beautification, entertainment and games.
This past fiscal year our community, board members, staff and partners came together to create two critical action plans: a new Five-Year Strategic Plan and a Strategic Diversity Plan. Together, these plans provide focus and direction for the DTP to catalyze Downtown Tucson’s continued economic recovery. The new DTP Five-Year Strategic Plan identifies goals and objectives focusing on clean and safe initiatives, connecting those in need with services and housing, filling street-level vacancies, activating and maintaining public spaces, and marketing and promotions. The new DTP Strategic Diversity Plan outlines six goals to ensure the diversity of this community is welcomed and included in all of our downtown activities.
DTP created and implemented the “Building a Downtown Tucson for Everyone” grant program. The DTP Social Justice Committee reviewed and awarded six grants to various events and programs taking place in Downtown Tucson that demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and that would reach communities not traditionally served by DTP. These are just a few of the highlights in this report. This community has a vision for downtown. With your help, and the help of our many partners, we will make that vision a reality. Our team is fully committed to creating an environment that is beautiful, safe, welcoming and vibrant; a downtown that brings our community together.
Kathleen Eriksen President and CEO Downtown Tucson Partnership
Dear Friends of the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP),
Tom Heath Chair, Board of Directors Downtown Tucson Partnership
The board restructured meetings to be more strategic in nature. While still providing necessary updates, the focus switched to a solutions-based conversation around specific concerns. A big push for the plan is finding more ways to engage our broad and skilled board members. This process began with asking each member to commit to a committee, counsel, task force or ad hoc effort.
Our mission is “To be the catalyst making Downtown Tucson the economic and cultural center of the region- an inclusive place people want to live, work, and play, and where new ideas flourish.” DTP cannot do this alone. We need the support of the City, County, elected officials, business owners, residents and influencers. Over this last year, we have seen clear evidence all these organizations understand the importance of vitality in our urban core and DTP will continue to be the catalyst helping them to make the right decisions. It has been a transformative year in the downtown and with a new strategic plan implemented, a dedicated and seasoned staff to carry it out, an energized board at the helm and committed members flowing through our committees, counsels, and task forces, expect 2022/2023 to deliver on the objectives agreed on one year ago.
Letter from the Board Chair
After dozens of workshops, hundreds of stakeholder inputs, hours of research and debate, the Downtown Tucson Partnership adopted the Five-Year Strategic Plan presented by the Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA). The acceptance of the five-year plan put in motion a series of efforts which would define our 2021/2022 year. Kathleen and her staff created the official plan documents and outlined the specific steps we need to take for achieving the goals.
Dear Friends,
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 5
Downtown Tucson is experiencing tremendous growth in apartments and hotels. People want to be here! The vibe is returning with the relaunch of Second Saturdays, new restaurants and shows returning to the TCC and our theaters. We see the same challenges others are facing across the country and DTP is leading the charge to bring our major partners, Rio Nuevo, City of Tucson, Pima County, Tucson Police and Suntran to the table for solutions. Kathleen has met individually and collectively with all of the partners and has secured additional funds, resources and commitments from each.
6 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP About the BID HOTEL561ROOMSTHEATER8 UNITSRESIDENTIALMULTI-FAMILY1055ESTABLISHMENTSFOOD73VENUESPERFORMANCE&&DRINK SHOPS,82 SERVICE BLOCK54ESTABLISHMENTSENTERTAINMENT&AREA ACRES193 PROPERTIESPARCEL394
The Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(6) corporation created in 1998 to implement enhanced municipal services for the downtown Business Improvement District (BID). As the primary advocate for Downtown Tucson, our top priority is to provide core services including clean and safe initiatives, beautification, economic development initiatives, marketing, and advocacy for projects and resources that support a vibrant and sustainable downtown.
placemaking,
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 7
ALAMEDA STREET CITYTUCSONCOURT THEATRERIALTO TOOLE191 PIMA CONSOLIDATEDCOUNTYJUSTICECOURT HISTORICDEPOT RONSTADTTRANSITCENTER CONGRESSHOTEL WORKSPUBLIC PRESIDIOMUSEUM CITYMUSEUMTUCSONOFARTTUCSONHALL HOTEL TUCSON CITY CENTER PRESIDIOELPARK JÁCOMEPLAZAFOXTUCSONTHEATREPIMA GOVERNMENTCOUNTYCOMPLEX ST.CATHEDRALAUGUSTINE CONVENTIONTUCSONCENTER OFTEMPLEMUSICANDART CHILDREN’SMUSEUMTUCSON ARMORY PARK JOEL D. VALDEZ MAIN LIBRARY PIMA COURTHOUSEHISTORICCOUNTY COUNCIL ST HERBERTAVE5THAVEARIZONAAVE 12TH STREET STONEAVECOURTAVEMEYERAVE SCOTTAVEALAMEDA STREET PENNINGTONTOOLEAVENUESTREETCHURCHAVE WASHINGTON STCONGRESS STREET CONGRESS STREET JACKSON ST OCHOA ST McCORMICK ST CUSHING ST 13TH STSTONEAVECORRAL ST CHURCHAVENUE BROADWAY BLVD BROADWAY BLVD GRANADAAVENUE 7TH STREET 14TH15THSTST 8TH STREET 9TH STREET 7THAVE 6THAVE ARIZONAAVE 3RDAVEHOFFAVERAILROADAVE4THAVE6THAVE 3RDAVE 4THAVE5THAVE HERBERTAVE FRANKLIN ST STEVENSAVE PASEO REDONDO FRONTAGEROAD CENTRALAVENUE MANNINGHOUSEWAYFRONTAGEROAD MAINAVENUE 9THAVEGRANADAAVENUE 6TH STREET 6TH SIMPSONSTREETSTMAINAVE STEVENSAVESTOOLEAVE
• Deployed new Eponic software to track, manage and report maintenance issues, infrastructure problems, and safety and quality of life issues
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Clean and Safe Increase sanitation, maintenance and safety standards downtown. RECYCLING19,401GALLONSOFDIVERTED131,095GALLONSOFTRASHCOLLECTED STICKERSGRAFFITI1,375ANDREMOVEDBLOCKS2,956OFSIDEWALKPOWERWASHED
Accomplishments
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Continued to support the Safety Summit with outreach to downtown merchants, property owners, and other stakeholders to collectively brainstorm solutions to downtown safety issues Completed curb painting throughout the BID Increased cleanliness of sidewalks, maintenance of planters and sanitation of street furnishings Worked with TPD to enforce ordinances downtown relating to urban camping, trespassing and panhandling new uniforms for the entire staff overnight street sweeping schedule
Overdose Response Training through the Pima County Health Department, Community Mental Health and Addiction Program DTP Safety Ambassador, Jose Garcia saved two lives in the span of one week last year Continued Certified Tourism Ambassador certifications for all DTP Ambassadors to help direct and assist visitors
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Continued monitoring and prioritizing alleys and consolidated trash disposal areas for safety and cleanliness improvements
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• Safety Ambassadors received Narcan (Naloxone)
Continued to provide Safety and Maintenance Ambassador support 24/7
8 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP FY 21/22
• Partnered with La Frontera to reactivate the DTP Connects homeless outreach program
• Continued escorting the elderly and those with physical disabilities by golf cart Partnered with TPD to provide annual de-escalation training for DTP Safety Ambassadors, downtown businesses and their employees Advocated for increased cleanliness of Ronstadt Public Restrooms Continued to provide timely removal of graffiti Provided event organizers with contracted maintenance and cleaning services for proper clean up after major special events Continued power washing high traffic areas
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• Doubled
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• Created Ronstadt Transit Center Task Force with Sun Tran, Ward 6, DTP, and Tucson Police Department (TPD) - weekly meetings address safety and maintenance issues and identify solutions
Enhance downtown’s overall physical appearance through buildings, parks, streetscape, sidewalks, landscaping, parking lots, alleys and roadways. Create a welcoming, safe and attractive environment where people want to be.
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 9 CITY205PLANTERSMAINTAINED TREES141WRAPPEDINLEDLIGHTS PUBLIC4SPACEACTIVATIONS FY 21/22 Accomplishments • Planted and maintained over 200 City planters • Continued activation of Stone Plaza in partnership with Pima County • Partnered with Pima County to activate Pima County Historic Courthouse through a series of events • Continued beautification efforts through the Merchant Planter Program • Continued coordination of 141 street trees tightwrapped in LED lights and over 60 illuminated buildings for the holidays • Created planting partnership with City High School students teaching them about urban gardening • Provided design assistance for new Washington Streatery - staff also installed cross-the-street festival lighting and added additional planters • Conducted four street audits with DTP board members and assessed areas in need of walkability, beautification and safety improvements
Beautification and Public Space Activation
• Created original Instagram reels featuring downtown businesses, resulting in an average of 18,500 views
• Visited businesses to help and support, provide professional photos for their marketing, listen to any issues and connect with resources
• Sent 39 email marketing campaigns to over 6,400 email subscribers to highlight downtown events, entertainment, businesses, and more
• Continued to promote Downtown Tucson and its businesses, events and more on @DowntownTucson social media to a combined total of more than 124,000 followers
$34,070MEDIACOMBINED124,263122,792WEBSITEUSERSINFY21/22SOCIALFOLLOWERSINDOWNTOWNTUCSONGIFTCARDSALES
–Maintained the downtown Real Estate Listings webpage updated in real time on website
Accomplishments
FY 21/22
–Enhanced 31 existing business listings by adding a description, photos, and links to the business’s website and social media handles
• Communicated road and parking lot closures to affected property, business owners, visitors and employees through email communications
• Maintained the downtown contact and data management system
• Continued administering and promoting the Downtown Tucson Gift Card, accepted at over 50 local businesses - $34,070 worth of gift cards were sold in FY21/22
–Added 26 new business listings
–Added new Business and Property Owner/Manager Resource pages – downtowntucson.org/resources to consolidate DTP and partner services
• Partnered with the University of Arizona Poetry Center on the third annual Haiku Hike
Marketing and Communications Market existing businesses, events, parks, available spaces, and business opportunities. Promote an enhanced, vibrant image of downtown.
• Shared all Downtown Links project updates including road closures, detours and recommended ways into downtown through DTP channels
• Maintained and continued improving the new stateof-the-art website downtowntucson.org:
10 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP
–Created three new landing pages for new DTP committees and task forces
–The main landing page downtowntucson.org/ holidays received 3,426 unique pageviews over the five –HostedweeksaSmall Business Saturday promotion giving away $500 worth of Downtown Tucson Gift Cards to those who shopped small –Created a new Holiday Activities page featuring reoccurring holiday activities and events like the Tucson Holiday Ice rink –Created a new Holiday Gift Guide to feature downtown retail businesses and products
• Continued tracking the status of new and closed downtown businesses in the BID through the business trends listings –26 new businesses opened just this fiscal year
• Transitioned the Parade of Lights production to the 2nd Saturdays Board, as recommended in the new strategic plan
• Continued tracking the status of new housing developments through the Housing Forecast –725 new units were completed in 2021 –357 are currently under construction
Accomplishments
• Continued the Desert Nights Downtown Lights holiday campaign, promoting dozens of holiday business specials, events and other festive happenings through social media, email marketing, and expanded pages on the DTP website
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 11 FY 21/22
–Coordinated the 11th Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest
Strategic Planning and Partnerships
FOCUSSTAKEHOLDER15GROUPSONLINE963SURVEYRESPONDENTS FINAL1PLANGOALS5 OBJECTIVES23 TACTICS87 FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN STATS
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Strengthen our relationship with merchants, property owners, developers, neighborhood groups, historic preservationists, City, County, Rio Nuevo, University of Arizona, stakeholders and partners.
FY 21/22
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2022-2027
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Progressive
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Organized a Merchants Mixer hosted by The L Offices to have businesses and stakeholders connect in an informal setting DTP co-hosted Armory Park Neighborhood and Business focus group with TPD, Ward 6, and City of Tucson Parks and Recreation to address ongoing maintenance and safety issues Continued DTP representation on the Park Tucson Commission, and on the Business District Parking and Marketing Subcommittees, to develop and implement parking policies and strategies for the downtown area
12 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP
Accomplishments Finalized and approved the Five-Year Strategic Plan (new strategic plan) in consultation with Urban Management Associates Finalized the Strategic Diversity Plan with Dr. Tyrone Holmes and DTP’s Social Justice Committee Evaluated the size and effectiveness of current board and reduced total number of board members as recommended in the new strategic plan Organized virtual Merchants and Retail Council meetings with area businesses and stakeholders Created and administered the “Building A Downtown Tucson For Everyone” grant program through the Social Justice Committee - six grants were awarded to event organizers to attract a more diverse audience downtown
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 13 FY 21/22 Financial Summary DESCRIPTION ACTUAL % Revenue Private Properties $591,730 36% City of Tucson ESA $365,000 22% Pima County Properties $299,832 18% Rio Nuevo Properties $217,433 13% Sponsorships, Grants & Other $182,598 11% Total $1,656,593 100% Expenses Maintenance & Safety $1,096,679 66% Administration $251,639 15% Marketing $160,462 10% Economic Development $147,363 9% Total $1,656,143 100% Net Surplus Before Extraordinary Items & Depreciation $450 TOTAL$1,656,593REVENUE TOTAL$1,656,143EXPENSES
14 DOWNTOWN TUCSON PARTNERSHIP Admin Staff as of June 30, 2022 Clean & Safe Ambassadors as of June 30, 2022 Clean & Green Team (Desert Survivors) as of June 30, 2022 Kathleen Eriksen President & CEO Zachary Baker Deputy Director Whitney Nesbitt Office Manager Russ Stone Downtown Safety & Maintenance Director Angel Nunez and Alexis CotaMENTORSCLIENTS Jorge Aguayo, Alex Blatchford, Samuel Cabrerra, Jessie Felix, Jason Holland, Aaron Reeves, Henry Vargas Antoine Smith Maintenance Supervisor Jorge Felix Jorge Felix Jr. Isaac Jump Dean Morgan Lazaro Cabrera Safety Supervisor Eric Christenson Safety Supervisor Harold Harris Safety Supervisor Adrian Mercado Safety Supervisor MAINTENANCE AMBASSADORS SAFETY AMBASSADORS Daniel RashawnFestusRomeroSalluSmithTimothySteeleTomVanata Alfredo Cielo Jr. Jose MatthewGarciaGuzmanNathanGuzmanRyanWhitney
TREND Report and Real Estate Consulting Group Dillon Walker Hydrant
Tucson Police Department Brett Goble City High School Helen Gomez Ben’s Bells Stephanie Gorton El Rio Health Glenn Grabski Tucson Convention Center Tim Hagyard DNaRC Kresta Leal Downtown Resident Chris Leighton Peach Properties Camila Martins-Bekat Tucson Electric Power Omar Mireles HSL Asset Management Renee Morton Mordasini Villas and HomeStyle Galleries Joe Rottman
ANNUAL REPORT : FY21-22 15
Tucson Metro Chamber Steve Kozachik
Gary Molenda Business Development Finance Corporation
Les Pierce Downtown Neighborhoods and Residents Council (DNaRC) Chair Liz Pocock Startup Tucson Laura Shaw Sun Corridor Inc.
Chris Dennison
City of Tucson, Park Tucson Rob Elias Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO
Felipe Garcia Visit Tucson Michael Guymon
Southern Arizona Leadership Council Representative Jane McCollum Marshall Foundation, Main Gate Square
Tom Heath DTP Board Chair, Mortgage Guidance Group at NOVA Home Loans Michael Crawford Crawford Law PLLC Randi Dorman R+R Develop Todd Hanley Hotel Congress and Maynards Julie Katsel University of Arizona Jan Lesher
Pima County District 2 Representative
DTP Board of Directors as of June 30, 2022
Kylie Walzak
Lucinda Smedley
Tucson City Council Member, Ward 6 Diana Amado Tucson City Council, Ward 6 Representative Ted Maxwell Southern Arizona Leadership Council Nicole Barraza
Caterpillar Inc. Ron Schwabe D-S LLC McKay Stevens Bourn Companies Cameron Taylor Imago Dei Middle School
Hilary Van Alsburg Children’s Museum Tucson|Oro Valley Bob Vint Vint & Associates Architects, Inc. Art Wadlund Downtown Tucson Apartments Donovan Durband
Pima County Administrator Lisa Josker Pima County Representative Fletcher McCusker Rio Nuevo and UAVCF John O’Dowd Amado and Associates, CPA’s Michael Ortega City of Tucson, City Manager Barbra Coffee City of Tucson City RepresentativeManager
DTP
Thank
Scan the QR code below or todowntowntucson.org/strategicplanvisitreadthefullplan.
GOAL 1 Continue to provide high-level enhanced services and outreach in downtown GOAL 5 Be a thought leader and champion to guide the future of Downtown Tucson GOAL 3 Activate and maintain a physical environment that is beautiful, fun, accessible, and encourages people to spend time and explore downtown GOAL 4 Market and promote downtown to Tucsonans GOAL 2 Curate and support a vibrant storefront economy STRATEGICFIVE-YEARPLAN2022-2027
100 N STONE AVENUE, SUITE 101 TUCSON, AZ @DOWNTOWNTUCSONDOWNTOWNTUCSON.ORG85701
The Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) contracted Denver-based consulting firm, Progressive Urban Management Associates, to assist in developing a new strategic plan to guide the organization’s evolution through COVID-19 recovery and over the next five years. will work in collaboration with its many partners to move forward the vision and goals for Downtown Tucson expressed in this plan. you to the DTP staff, Board of Directors, Executive Committee/Project Working Group, and the more than 900 stakeholders who provided input for this strategic plan.
