Inside Tucson Business, July 30, 2021

Legal Perspective Legislature limits COVID legal liability for businesses

Page 2 July 30, 2021

Volume 29• Number 16

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TECH TALK

A search for new planets, fighting dementia in women and more | Page 12

Adding Up

STATE LEGISLATION

NEW STATE LAWS Impacts on Southern Arizona

Banks, credit unions optimistic about Arizona’s post-pandemic economy Jeff Gardner

Page 10

Inside Tucson Business / Page 5

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

HISTORIC RENOVATION Teatro Carmen in the spotlight

Page 14 BOOK OF LISTS

THIS YEAR’S NUMBERS Banks and credit unions

Page 15 PEOPLE IN ACTION

REAL ESTATE

New promotions, hires and awards Page 3

Tucson Industrial Development Authority purchases, repurposing downtown properties | Page 4 1

Chamber Chatter Engaging in the Political Process

Page 2 May 7, 2021

Volume 29• Number 10

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JULY 30, 2021

Inside Tucson Business is published 26 times per year (once every other week on Fridays) plus the Book of Lists in January.

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LEGALPERSPECTIVE

BY MARC LAMBER

SPECIAL TO INSIDE TUCSON BUSINESS

FENNEMORE CRAIG

Legislature limits COVID legal liability for businesses

P

rivate business owners in Arizona have been left to fend for themselves when it comes to masking and proof of vaccine policies. Now, questions have been raised about whether these businesses face increased legal liability for allowing unmasked or unvaccinated customers into their stores where these patrons could contract COVID from unmasked employees or other customers.

The current CDC guidance says that if one is fully vaccinated, they do not have to wear a mask in any setting and, even if they are exposed to someone with COVID they do not have to get tested if asymptomatic.

In Arizona, the Governor issued an Executive Order saying that state and local governments and businesses that contract with the state to provide services to the public cannot require proof of COVID vaccination.

What about private businesses requiring proof of vaccine before allowing a customer

in without a mask? A private business is within its rights to require a customer to show proof of vaccination before entering its store. But it is not a one-size-fits-all situation and not all private businesses will react the same way to this new CDC guidance.

With just 48% of Maricopa County residents having received one dose of the COVID vaccine so far, do businesses that are not requiring masks or proof of vaccination to enter without a mask now face liability for allowing anyone in?

Holding a private business responsible if a customer contracts the disease and claims they caught it in the store will be very difficult. The customer would need to prove more likely than not that they caught COVID from an unmasked COVID-infected worker or another customer versus from anywhere and anyone else. The claimant would also need to show that the private business’ decision not to require masks or proof of vaccine was negligent.

Also working against the customer is the fact that they could choose not to patronize a particular business if they didn’t like the business’ COVID safety protocols. And if they decide to shop there anyway, it could be argued they assumed the risk of any COVID infection.

Without regulations from Arizona or local governments applicable to the operations of private businesses on the issues of masking and vaccine requirements, these businesses must establish their own policies and enforce them as best they can. What is clear though is that legal liability is unlikely for a business that allows unmasked and/or unvaccinated customers through its doors.

Marc Lamber is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent-rated trial attorney. A director at Fennemore Craig, Lamber has been featured in national and local media, including the Arizona Republic, USA Today, ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the ABA Journal and many others.

WEEKLY TOP

BY LISA LOVALLO

Infusing wellness into your business

I

nvesting in a corporate wellness program is beneficial to both your employees and your business. By promoting wellness in the workplace, you give employees the support they need to thrive personally, and to boost their motivation at work. Consider these tips to create a healthy workplace and successful wellness program.

1. Listen to employees’ needs. Distribute an anonymous survey to employees in order to get a better understanding of the type of wellness programs they would like to participate in.

2. Create a healthy work environment. Exercise is known to boost productivity. Encourage employees to get moving during break periods. Employees can connect to nearby Cox Wi-Fi hot spots to listen to music during their walks without using up data.

3. Blend wellness and company culture. Give your employees a space to destress by turning an empty office into an exercise room.

At Cox, we offer employees a trail around our main office with mileage markers. This trail encourages employees to take a walk during their breaks, helping them to clear their mind and relieve stress.

4. Offer education. Wellness education is important for promoting a healthy lifestyle. Consider offering in-person or online classes on topics like nutrition and disease prevention. Some health insurance providers offer free educational sessions that you may look into.

5. Be a leader. Do your part by participating in your team’s wellness activities.

Cox’s leadership actively participates alongside its team at company-sponsored nonprofit walk events.

6. Make it social. Wellness is about having fun.

Engage employees and encourage conversation about wellness goals. Consider hosting a challenge to boost interaction around your new wellness program.

7. Set goals as a team.

When everyone is working toward a common goal, it fosters interaction and teamwork in the workplace.

8. Know your numbers.

This is not just a statement; it’s actually an annual program that Cox offers its employees. We bring in medical staff to conduct free biometric screening tests During the event, we stock employee break rooms with fruit, energy drinks and healthy snacks.

9. Use technology to reach fitness goals. Encourage employees to use mobile apps to monitor and track fitness goals. This allows them to access popular workout tutorials on the go.

From time to time, we offer Fit Bits as prize incentives when employees log in their walking progress.

10. Incorporate volunteering. Many volunteer opportunities incorporate physical activity, such as working in a community garden or building houses for those in need.

Lisa Lovallo is the Southern Arizona market vice president for Cox Communications.

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PEOPLEINACTION

Percy Kirk

JULY 30, 2021

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Percy Kirk, who has held multiple roles with Cox Communications throughout the country, was recently selected as senior vice president and region manager for the Southwest region, overseeing Cox operations and more than 4,000 Cox employees.

“I am so pleased to have Percy lead our Southwest Region,” said Colleen Langner, senior vice president, field operations. “He has seen us grow from a traditional residential cable TV provider to a broadband service provider that connects millions of homes and businesses with a continually expanding diverse product portfolio. His deep operational and technical experience makes him an exceptional leader who I know will positively impact our teams, customers and communities.”

According to the company, the Southwest region is Cox’s largest operation nationwide and includes Phoenix and all of Southern Arizona. Percy’s career in cable telecommunications has lasted more than three decades, including previous roles as Cox Arizona’s vice president of network operations and head of Cox’s central region.

Photo by Simon Asher/Arizona Athletics

University of Arizona student headed to the Tokyo Olympics

Andrew Feig

Fred Novick

Jennifer Carey

A.C. Marriotti

The Tucson-based Research Corporation for Science Advancement has announced the promotion of Andrew Feig to senior program director. Feig leads three of the corporation’s areas of focus: Advancing BioImaging; Microbiome, Neurobiology and Disease; and Mitigating Zoonotic Threats. Feig works alongside RCSA’s two other Senior Program Directors in the management of RCSA’s programs and initiatives.

Feig has worked as an active member of RCSA’s Cottrell Scholar community since 2002, and joined the RCSA staff in 2019.

The Research Corporation for Science Advancement was founded in 1912.

Fred Novick was announced as the new president of the Rotary Club of Marana-Dove Mountain on July 8. Novick has been a member of the club since 2018 and has served as scholarship chair.

Novick listed his priorities for the year, which include growing participating members by 40%, hosting two service projects and two social events per year, and furthering the Club’s relationships with local schools such as Imago dei Middle School and Roadrunner Elementary School.

The local Rotary, chartered in 2006, is part of Rotary International, an organization of more than 1.2 million members in more than 200 countries.

Jennifer Carey has associated with the Tucson-Williams Centre office of Coldwell Banker Realty as an affiliate agent.

Carey also works as a school counselor for a local elementary school, and holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Arizona.

“I located back to Tucson from Southern California around five years ago because I was always drawn to the beauty of the desert and the Catalina Mountains. I am so grateful to be back in the Old Pueblo,” said Carey. “I have always had a passion for real estate and am looking forward to helping people sell their homes and finding their new place to call home.”

Following the retirement of eight-year town manager Kelly Udall, Sahuarita finance director A.C. Marriotti has been selected as the town’s interim manager. Marriotti has served the town as finance director for nearly 17 years, having been hired in 2004. Marriotti will concurrently serve as finance director and interim town manager until a new hire is made.

Marriotti comes to the position with seven years of experience working for the Arizona Auditor General, where he held the position of senior financial auditor. He holds two Bachelor of Science in business administration degrees from the University of Arizona, in the areas of finance and accounting.

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Tucson native Delaney Schnell is headed to the Olympic Games in Tokyo after qualifying for Team USA in the 10-meter platform individual diving event and the 10-meter synchronized platform event. Schnell was selected as the 2021 Pac-12 Diver of the Year, and will start graduate school in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

“It hasn’t really even sunken in yet,” said Schnell.

“My synchro partner, Jess, is a two-time Olympian, so she has been walking me through what to expect, but I don’t think either of us will feel like it’s real until we’re actually there.”

Schnell also trained as a gymnast when she was younger, which came in handy over the past year.

The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled for 2020, but when the pandemic hit, everything was delayed. Due to social distancing, Schnell couldn’t access training pools, but she managed to keep busy with her gymnastics experience, working on her flips, turns and landings indoors.

“I am so fortunate. All of this really made me appreciate the sport even more,” Schnell said. “It was a really good time for me to work on my mentality and find out how well I can roll with the punches.”

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REALESTATE &CONSTRUCTION

Tucson Industrial Development Authority purchases, repurposing downtown properties Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

T

he nonprofit Tucson Industrial Development Authority recently purchased two lots in downtown Tucson with plans of assembling them with a third lot in order to expand business and industry opportunities for the area. The three properties, one of which Tucson IDA already owns, are titled Block 174 and stretch between Church and Stone Avenues north of Council Street.

The parking lots sit near the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, YMCA, and El Charro Cafe.

According to Tucson IDA, the nonprofit has owned the approximately 20,350 square-foot surface parking lot at the northwest corner of Stone and Council for multiple years. The Rio Nuevo Multipurpose District decided to sell its nearby approximately 15,100 square-foot surface parking lot at the northeast corner of Church Avenue and Council Street and the Tucson IDA was the “logical buyer.”

Tucson IDA then decided to expand the footprint of the property by purchasing a second parcel of approximately 6,750 square-feet at 257 N. Stone Avenue, which is currently an office building.

The more than 42,000

square-feet of combined properties is zoned Office/ Commercial/Residential and includes the potential air rights above Ash Alley, the street running between the two surface parking lots.

Although no specific plans have been announced yet, Tucson IDA president Judy Clinco says the development authority is “working on a strategic vision for all of the Tucson IDA-owned downtown properties.

We’re focusing on creating high-impact community-based projects that promise to generate resources and foster equity.”

Other nearby projects from the Rio Nuevo District include revitalizing a 23-story tower at 1 S. Church Ave. into a hotel and offices, renovating the Old Pueblo Club Building at 123 S. Church to house a new restaurant, a new home for the Foundation for Senior Living at the corner of Broadway and Church, and sidewalk and street improvements to Ochoa Street between Church and Stone avenues.

purchased for $1,500,000.

Richard M. Kleiner, MBA, and Thomas J. Nieman, Principals, and Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, handled this transaction.

Kleiner represented the seller; Nieman represented the buyer.

Main Street Town Center, LLC purchased the Associated Dental building located at 4890 S. Mission Road in Tucson.

The 2,918-square-foot, single-tenant medical office property was purchased from Daniel A. Gomez, Trustee of The Popplewell 1999 Family Trust, for $769,100. Thomas J. Nieman, Principal, and Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, and Rajan Lal, with Mandala Real Estate, Lafayette, CA., represented the seller in this transaction. Jeramy Price with Volk Company, represented the buyer.

211 Lee, LLC purchased Lee Street Apartments, a 3,000-square-foot, multifamily property located at 209 and 211 E. Lee St. in Tucson. The 4-unit facility SALES was purchased from Kristen Spoke Coworking Tucson Janet Eddy for $525,000.

East, LLC purchased 8,702 Allan Mendelsberg, Princisquare feet of office space pal, and Conrad Martinez, from Catalina Technology Multifamily Specialists with Properties, LLC. The sin- Cushman & Wakefield | gle-tenant office building, PICOR, represented both located at 6700 E. Speedparties in this transaction. way Blvd. in Tucson, was Veterans Blvd. Apart-

ments, LLC purchased a 3,814-square-foot multifamily property located at 19 W. Veterans Blvd. in Tucson. The 8-unit apartment complex was purchased from Wang Kai for $335,000. Allan Mendelsberg, Principal, and Conrad Martinez, Multifamily Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the buyer in this transaction.

The City of Tucson, A Municipal Corporation, purchased 13,032 square feet of mixed-use space located at 1833-1835 W. Anklam Road in Tucson.

Desert Cove Country Club was purchased from 25JAK Properties L.P. for $1,175,000. Allan Mendelsberg, Principal, and Conrad Martinez, Multifamily Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the seller in this transaction.

Kevin S. Albert and Kimberly LeBlanc Albert, as Trustees of the Albert Revocable Trust, purchased Lot 16, a 40,800-squarefoot, vacant land parcel located at 3290 E. Elvira Road in Tucson. The industrial zoned property was purchased from Airport Run Investors, LLC for $153,000. Ron Zimmerman, Principal, and Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the buyer in

this transaction. Tim Healy of Hope & Innovation with CBRE, Tucson, repre- leased 2,746 square feet of sented the seller. medical office space from Welltower OM Group, LLC, located at Oro LEASES Valley Hospital, 1521 E. Arizona Biological Con- Tangerine Road, Suite 331 in Oro Valley. Richard M. trol, Inc. expanded into and leased 15,983 square Kleiner, MBA, Principal, and Office Specialist with feet of industrial space at Oro Valley Commerce Cushman & Wakefield | Center, 10831 N. Mavinee PICOR, represented the landlord in this transacDrive, Suite 185 in Oro tion. David Montijo with Valley, from Harsch Investment Properties, LLC. CBRE, represented the tenant.

Jesse Blum, Industrial Tucson Home Window Specialist with Cushman Tint, LLC leased 1,296 & Wakefield | PICOR, square feet of industrial represented the landlord space from Bloomfield in this transaction. Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Capital, LLC, located in the Roger at Oracle Principal and Industrial Business Center, 470 W. Specialist with Cushman Roger Road, Suite 110 in & Wakefield | PICOR, Tucson. Paul Hooker, represented the tenant.

Principal, and Industrial Therapy Tree, LLC Specialist with Cushman leased 2,851 square feet & Wakefield | PICOR, of office space from represented the landlord KCI-Broadway, LLC, in this transaction. Lesco Scott Seldin-Broadway, LLC, Belmont-Broadway, Optical, Inc. leased 1,200 square feet of retail space LLC, and Tucson 5151 Investments, LLC, located from Eastpoint Marketat 5151 E. Broadway Blvd., place , LLC, located in the Fry’s Eastpoint MarketSuite 1500 in Tucson. place, 7020 E. 22nd St., Richard M. Kleiner Suite 100 in Tucson. Greg and Thomas J. Nieman, Furrier, Principal, and Principals, and Office Specialists with Cushman Retail Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord PICOR, represented the landlord in this transacin this transaction. Raymond Cashen with Cash- tion and Vickie Schuyler with Partners Manageen Realty Advisors, Inc., ment company representrepresented the tenant. ed the tenant. ITB Oncology Institute

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5

Banks, credit unions came to the aid of local businesses through the pandemic 1,100 new cases per day as of last week. Following vaccine rollouts at the beginning of fter delivering more the year, cases throughout than $800 billion to the state steadily dropped businesses and work- and then leveled out over the past few months. But with ers across the nation, the federal Paycheck Protection the economy opening up and Program ended on May 31. social distancing restrictions Arizona businesses received lifted, there is more oppormore than 80,000 loans at tunity for transmission.

In response, local banks an average of $40,000 each are continuing certain in order to keep staff workpandemic programs even ing and industry functionafter federal efforts ended. ing—but COVID cases are on While these programs aren’t the rise once again. permanent, elements of the According to the Arizona banking industry may be forDepartment of Health Serever changed due to lessons vices, new daily COVID cases were at their highest since learned over the last year and a half. late February at more than

Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

A

“The pandemic presented a prime opportunity for members to embrace and get more comfortable with using online and mobile banking.

Once members realize how convenient it is to manage their finances remotely, it sticks with them,” said Jill Casey Pintor, assistant vice president of communications for Vantage West Credit Union. “Because we were able to successfully continue business operations during the height of the pandemic, our outlook is optimistic that we will continue to meet and hopefully exceed our members’ expectations.

We are also optimistic that

our business neighbors and community partners will be able to emerge strong, because they’ve proven their resiliency.”

Vantage West processed an estimated $26 million in SBA and PPP loans for their members, as well as more than $800,000 in pandemic-related financial assistance in the form of waived fees.

They are also continuing the relief when it comes to the new federal child tax credit issued this month.

“For the stimulus payments and the child tax credit payments, we took the approach of not applying those to cover loans in

default, whereas prior to the pandemic if a loan was in default we were entitled to deposits that come into the account. But given what all is going on, as a credit union we made the choice to not touch those funds and leave them for our members,” said Jade Oesterle, associate vice president for loan servicing at Vantage West Credit Union.

The tax credits are part of the American Rescue Plan and allow families to receive monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child, and Vantage West plans to continue this approach through the rest of the year. The credit

union also manually posted nearly $2.5 million in stimulus payments that otherwise would have been sent back to the IRS for insufficient account information. According to Pintor, situations like this highlight the difference between credit unions and traditional banks.

“We had the unique opportunity to work with our members on a more neighborly and personal level because all decision-making is local. This is one differentiator between banks and local credit unions. This gave us more flexibility to find creative ways to help Continued on P6

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JULY 30, 2021

Banking

The past year also resulted in shifts at Commerce Bank of Arizona, a statewide bank that provides services for individuals and business Continued from P5 owners. Commerce Bank participated in both PPP rounds, resulting in more members with their indithan 500 loans and $85 vidual needs,” Pintor said. million to Arizona business“As a local business, and a es throughout the state. This local credit union serving process was so large that of local business members, the roughly 50 employees Vantage West understands at Commerce Bank, more the critical role that ‘essen- than a dozen shifted to work tial customers’ and their solely on PPP loans. ‘essential members,’ play in “Wherever there was the post-pandemic econom- a need, we provided. ic recovery.

Through the whole process, This inspired a partnerwe gained probably 80 new ship with the Tucson Metro clients that weren’t being Chamber of Commerce serviced by their existing that resulted in ‘Essential,’ bank and having a hard a promotional spot to help time with the PPP process. encourage post-pandemic We saw the importance of recovery in our community that as a lifeline to small by supporting local business. As a community businesses.” bank, we felt it was impor-

tant to meet that need,” said Paul Tees, Tucson market president and CCO for the Commerce Bank of Arizona. “What the pandemic showed us is how resilient businesses can be.

If you look at when this happened in March, a lot of people were looking at which industries would be hit hard and how it would affect banks’ loan portfolios.

What we saw is that a lot of the businesses we lent to, if they had the ability to pivot their strategy and be nimble, they actually did really well during last year and have come out of it with a different business model.”

Because of their business focus, Commerce Bank was also one of the few Arizona banks to participate in the federal Main Street Lending program, which lent to small and medium-sized

for-profit businesses and nonprofits that were in sound financial condition before the onset of COVID. This specific business support provided low-interest rate loans with favorable payment terms. But as with other federal loan programs, the Main Street Lending program has also concluded.

Tees says that earlier in the pandemic, he may have said virtual banking was a paradigm shift in the financial industry. But with businesses continuing to open up and more vaccinations, he is seeing more personal contacts and face-to-face business as a reminder that banking is a “people-based business.” In addition, Commerce Bank had a heightened loan growth of 10% for the first quarter of 2021, and continue to see

loan growth.

“These business models can now take into account that the pandemic might not be over, and they’ve thought about if it comes back and we have to shut down again, how they can survive,” Tees said. “To some extent, it’s been beneficial for companies to look at their existing business models and try to figure out how to handle this going forward. But we’re still lending and we’ve very optimistic for the overall Arizona economy.”

The Washington D.C.-based Federal Funds Information for States published their quarterly Index of State Economic Momentum in June, which found that more than half of all states exceeded their previous quarter’s economic performance. Arizona was ranked among the highest at

number 6, with an economic momentum score of 2% higher than the national average. The report is based on data from the census, Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also found that Arizona was one of the top states for personal income growth, seeing a 6% increase over the past year, as compared to the national 4%.

“We’re seeing a lot of people move from other states into Tucson and Phoenix, as well as Arizona in general. We think this migration shows Arizona is a great place to do business both now and for the future,” Tees said. “Our overall economy is strong, especially if you look at the housing market and our nearby states. This is a desirable place to live and businesses see that.” ITB

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Eller College MAP Dashboard wins award Business Calendar for easy-to-understand data crunching Thursday, July 29

• The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a customer development mixer.

Details: 5-7 p.m.; The Buttes at Reflections, 9800 N. Oracle Road.; $10, $5 members; 2972191 or orovalleychamber.com.

Christina Duran

Inside Tucson Business

T

he Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona (MAP) Dashboard won the 2021 Research Award for Data Collection, Dissemination, and Visualization, awarded by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).

Founded in 2014, the University of Arizona Eller College, the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA), the Pima Association of Governments, Sun Corridor and the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) partnered to create the MAP Dashboard Project, to measurably improve Southern Arizona through data-driven collective civic action and education.

The MAP Dashboard, maintained by the University of Arizona’s Eller Economic and Business Research Center, provides data and research on the economy, health, education, infrastructure and more with comparisons to other cities comparable to Tucson.

C2ER, a nationally recognized leader in economic research, is committed to developing and engaging a network of professionals and elevating data-driven decision making to advocate at the state and federal level. The program recognizes the contribution of research activities to the success of local, regional, or state community, economic, and workforce development

Monday, Aug. 2 • Oro Valley Toastmasters meet via Zoom (1st, 3rd & 5th Monday of the month). Details: 6:157:30 p.m.; 2854329. toastmastersclubs.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 3

initiatives.

They recognized the MAP Dashboard for “making our region’s economic, demographic and cultural data available, approachable and accessible to the public.”

While the MAP Dashboard has provided accessible data and research for years with notable research on residential water use, high school graduation rates, and labor force participation rates that continue to inform decision-making for Tucson and Pima County, during the pandemic the MAP Dashboard became a important source on the impact of pandemic to the community.

“The MAP team pivoted quickly when the pandemic hit to help the southern Arizona community understand the impact of COVID on

the economy. We did this by writing articles on emerging trends and hosting webinars to discuss the impacts,” said Jennifer Pullen, MAP Dashboard Coordinator and Research Economist.

She especially thanked their sponsors for the continued support. On March 29, they published a study on distance learning and how the pandemic impacted students, which showed the gaps in access to learning as the majority of distance learning was conducted online, as opposed to learning through paper materials, and the lower income households had lower percents of computer access.

At the start of the month, the dashboard also published a study on post-pandemic work and travel, finding the

differences in the percentage of households teleworking by their level of education, race and ethnicity, and differences between households with children or no children.

Recently the MAP Dashboard presented the research on Tucson’s Housing Market, which showed the incredible growth of the market, but also the gaps in housing affordability.

The research was previously presented to the City of Tucson’s Commission on Equitable Housing and Development at their March 2 meeting as they worked to build on their mission and goals.

“Our mission is to measurably improve southern Arizona through data-driven collective civic action and education,” said Pullen. “We

• The Rotary Club of Marana meets (weekly).

Details: 7 a.m.; Northwest Fire Department, 5125 W. Camino de Fuego (in person first 3 Tuesdays of the month); via Zoom (first 4 Tuesdays of the month); maranarotary.org or text 520-909-9162 for virtual meeting information.

Wednesday, Aug. 4 • The Marana Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly Networking Breakfast. Details: 7:30 a.m.; TOP (The Othhope to accomplish this by providing our community with the resources and tools they need to make informed decisions on areas relevant to our region.”

The MAP Dashboard plans

er Place), 4239 N. Ina Road.; $15-$25; 6824314 or maranachamber. com.

Thursday, Aug. 5 • The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce holds a customer development mixer.

Details: 5-7 p.m.; The Post Workspaces, 7400 N. Oracle Road.; $10, $5 members; 297-2191 or orovalleychamber.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 11 • The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) holds a workshop on launching a new website or sprucing up an old one. Details: 10-11 a.m.; asba.com.

Thursday, Aug. 19 • The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce holds its 29th Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast with guest speaker University of Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd. Details: Hilton El Conquistador, 10000 N. Oracle Road; orovalleychamber.com.

For more information, visit InsideTucsonBusiness.com

on continuing their pandemic-related research with upcoming articles on housing and food scarcity. ITB Visit the MAP Dashboard at mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 30, 2021

9

Tucson’s biggest nonprofit theaters have received federal grants and are set to fully reopen Jim Nintzel

Inside Tucson Business

D

owntown’s Rialto and Fox theaters have landed major grants from the federal government’s relief programs and will soon be reopening with a slew of shows on the horizon.

The Fox received $1,448,389 Shuttered Venue Operator’s Grant from the Small Business Administration’s program.

“Having just revealed our 2021-2022 Return to the Fox season of 50+ shows, this comes at a time when long-awaited relief is much needed,” said Bonnie Schock, Fox Tucson Theatre executive director. “With our first live performance since March of 2020 just a few months away, these funds allow us to move forward boldly toward full recovery and a triumphant return to the Fox.” Congressman Raul Grijalva cheered the news.

“Live venues are an integral part of Tucson’s vibrant culture and economy, and I’m pleased SBA has finally awarded the Fox Theatre an SVOG grant,” Grijalva said in a prepared statement. “The need for this funding has been clear for some time, and that’s why I pushed so hard for this program from the beginning. I am happy to see the results coming to fruition and our local

businesses getting the aid they need and deserve.

With the funding Congress provided, they can now move forward to hire, book talent, begin marketing, and ultimately come back into operation stronger than before. Our small venues have waited long enough for relief, and I will continue fighting for any resources they need to ensure a full economic recovery from the pandemic.”

The Rialto has also been approved for a grant, although Rialto Theater Executive Director Cathy Rivers declined to reveal the precise amount. Rivers said the Rialto had received “enough to pay back our creditors, hire staff, fix stuff and open the Theatre.”

The grants come after an initial disastrous rollout of the program in April, when a rush to submit applications from venue operators crashed the online system.

The SBA reported that as of July 12, the agency had awarded 6,610 grants worth a total of $5 billion, with an average grant of $758,000. A total of $3.3 billion had been disbursed.

In Arizona, the SBA had awarded just under $118 million in grants.

Venues were eligible for grants based on 45% of the organization’s 2019 earned revenues and the monies can be used for business expenses dating back to March 2020 and to cover expenses through the end

of this year.

Both the Fox and the Rialto have already begun booking shows for the year ahead. The Fox schedule includes The Mavericks on Aug. 19, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Sept. 11, Chris Issak on Sept. 25, Rickie Lee Jones on Sept. 26, Pat Metheny with James Francies & Joe Dyson on Oct. 5, Asleep at the Wheel on Oct. 8, Amy Grant on Oct. 24, Paula Poundstone on Oct. 28, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Firefall on Nov. 5, Tommy Emmanuel on Nov. 6 and Boney James on Nov. 7.

The Rialto will showcase an amateur kickboxing event, Rise of the Prospects, with local fighters on July 31, before hosting an 18+ DJ-based Electric Feels dance party on Friday, Aug. 6, and a Gasolina Reggaeton Dance Party on Saturday, Aug. 7. Live music returns with Andrew Schulz on Wednesday, Aug. 18, followed by Amigo the Devil on Friday, Aug. 20.

On Saturday, Aug. 21, the Rialto will host Dia de las Luchas, a wrestling extravaganza that will also feature Los Nawdy Dogs.

Neko Case will perform on Monday, Aug. 23; the Flaming Lips are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 24; Old Blind Dogs play on Friday, Sept. 4; Gogol Bordello returns on Saturday Sept.

4; Modest Mouse comes to town on Monday, Sept. 20; Jack Russell’s Great White is scheduled for Friday, Sept.

24; and hometown favorite Calexico will perform on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The Rialto will also reopen its sister venue, 191 Toole, with performances scheduled by the likes of Ramirez (Aug. 3), Your Money’s Worth (Aug. 7), Miss Olivia and the Interlopers (Aug. 14), Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears (Aug. 20), Sian (Aug. 21), Nanpa Básico (Aug. 27) and the Residents (Sept.

14).

Tucson’s Loft Cinema also received a $1,006,000 grant from the Shuttered Venues Operator’s

program. The midtown movie palace’s three indoor theaters were closed for 14 months, although the nonprofit was able to bring in some revenue with streaming films, outdoor shows and theater rentals for small groups, but revenue was down nearly 90%.

“Being closed for so long was incredibly difficult, as was the uncertainty of the future, not only of The Loft but of the whole industry of theatrical exhibition,” said Loft Cinema Executive Director Peggy Johnson. “We will be forever grateful for our wonder-

ful members and patrons who generously supported us through the tough times and we are excited for the future!”

Johnson thanked Arizona’s congressional delegation for its support through the pandemic.

“We’re fully invested in making The Loft Cinema a sustainable nonprofit film center, and we hope to see everyone soon at the movies!” ITB For more information on these shows and more, visit rialtotheatre. com and foxtucson.com.

10

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 30, 2021

How new state laws will affect Southern Arizona Alexis Glascock

Special to Inside Tucson Business

W

ith the adjournment of the Arizona State Legislature on June 30, numerous policy changes will soon impact residents across the state. A total of 474 bills passed through the House and Senate. Bills pertaining to issues ranging from license plate designs to voter registration laws have made it across the finish line during the second-longest legislative session in the history of Arizona.

measure will attract jobs and people to the state by returning budget surplus to taxpayers rather than holding onto these funds like other southwestern states have. Arizona currently has over $1B in budget surplus funds and $1B in rainy day funds.

Pandemic Civil Liability Protection

Another policy change aimed at protecting small businesses as they rebuild from COVID-19 hardship was signed by the governor on April 5.

Since March of 2020, over 2,000 COVID-19Seven of these policy related civil liability changes are likely to be claims have been filed of high interest to Ariacross the nation. These zona residents: claims suggest that busi• Flat income tax nesses should be held li• Pandemic civil liabilable for the transmission ity protection of COVID-19 on their • Sports betting • Telehealth insurance property. Even businesses that followed state coverage and federal public health • Health club guidelines to protect cancellations customers, such as phys• Condominium ical distancing, frequent conversions • Off-site alcohol sales sanitation and required mask wearing, have been hit with costly litigation.

Flat Income Tax Current law states that Governor Ducey made businesses must prove it a priority to include a that the plaintiff did not flat tax as a clause in the contract COVID-19 on their property to avoid state budget this year. civil liability. The new The budget passed on June 26, and with it, the law signed by Ducey, Senate Bill 1377, raises flat tax clause. The flat tax is aimed at reducing the burden of proof for a customer or employstate personal income ee to bring a claim and tax to 2.5% by 2025. protects businesses from Ducey hopes that this

lawsuits. Now, a business, health careprovider or other entity that acts in good faith with regard to COVID-19 precautions is protected from a claim that they did not protect a claimant from the effects of the pandemic. This legislation, sponsored

by Sen. Vince Leach, is essential to the full reopening of the state’s economy.

Sports Betting Ducey signed legislation into law on April 15, making Arizona the 26th state to legalize fantasy sports betting.

The new law allows for both in-person and virtual sports bets to be placed by all Arizonans over the age of 21 and will increase revenue for both the state and tribes. Up to twenty new licenses will be issued across the state —10 will go to tribal casinos and 10 will go to sports venues. As of this writing, the professional sports teams and sites that will be granted privileges include the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Raceway, TPC Scottsdale, and Phoenix Rising. Individuals can also bet on their favorite college sports teams through technology or on site at the designated location, while betting

on individual players is not permitted.

provide clients with clear avenues in which they can cancel their Telehealth Insurance membership. Previously, there have been issues Coverage in which health club members were chalTwo bills related to increasing healthlenged with subscription cancellation. care transparency and coverage have also been signed into law this legCondominium islative session.

Conversions • HB2697: Health Spa Contracts; Cancellation; The issue of condoNotice minium to apartment • HB2454: Telehealth; conversions has recently Health Care Providers garnered public attenRequirements aim tion. In May of this year, to provide more flexa 91-year-old Phoenix resident received a noibility for Arizonians regarding telehealth and tice that her condo unit health club cancellation was being purchased by procedures. During the investors to be converted COVID-19 pandemic, into an apartment. The insurance providers woman had purchased were required to cover her condo in 2009 in a subscribers’ telehealth location close to public appointments like any transportation to care other in-person apfor her disabled son’s medical needs. Past pointment. Providers Arizona law stated that are now required to consent was required continue this coverage from only 80% of condo despite Ducey’s termiunit owners to connation of his pandemic executive order on vert the property into March 5. The law allows apartments. Real estate for increased flexibility investors saw potential for patients and helps in the woman’s properthose such as the elderly ty and purchased 80% and disabled who may of the units with the have trouble leaving intent to convert them their homes for apinto apartments. Rep. Jeff Weninger took note pointments. of the 91-year-old’s situation and drafted a Health Club clause in the state budget Cancellations to modify the standing condominium converMore healthcare flexibility is codified by sion laws. Now, 100% of owners are required to HB2697, which states consent to the proposed that health clubs must

conversion of their units regardless of what voting percentage their CC&Rs originally stated. The clause does not apply to condos that are already under conversion or seizure of residential property by means of eminent domain and allows for commercial condominium properties to continue to follow the voting requirements in their CC&Rs. Off-site Alcohol Sales Another legislative item sponsored by Rep. Weinger was House Bill 2773: Spirituous Liquor; Delivery; Off-Sale Permits. The bill, signed

by Ducey on May 21, allows establishments holding certain liquor licenses to provide takeout alcohol services to customers. So if you’ve been getting carry-out or delivery of alcohol from your favorite restaurant or bar during the pandemic, chances are you can continue doing so.

Previously, this had not been permitted under Arizona law. The measure was inspired by the increase in take-out orders during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been well received by the general public. ITB Alexis Glascock in an attorney at Fennemore Law in the Government Relations and Regulatory Practice

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 30, 2021

11

Real estate agent’s philanthropy supports Oro Valley Katya Mendoza

Special to Inside Tucson Business

T

ucson native Lisa Bayless has worked in real estate in the northwest communities for more than a decade, but she’s most interested in people. These combined passions lead to her consistent philanthropy after every sale, most recently sponsoring the Town of Oro Valley’s Fourth of July fireworks event.

Ranking among the top 1% of realtors nationwide and at Long Realty in 2020, Bayless has set herself apart from her peers through more than closed sales.

“I have always believed that the communities that you do business in, particularly as a small business owner, [that] you rely on that community and in turn that community relies on you,” Bayless said. “It’s a very intertwined relationship. The stronger those communities become, the stronger our business becomes.”

Besides donating a portion of her commission from every sale to local nonprofits, Bayless has served on the board of the Rialto Theater and is an active senior board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson and other nonprofit organizations. While striving to stay connected to “Tucson’s heartbeat,” Bayless has also recently donated to the Oro Valley Police

Department, Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Canyon Del Oro Assembly of God Food Pantry, as well as eliminating the $2,100 school lunch debt for Oro Valley’s public schools last year.

Through this gratitude towards the community that has supported her business, both she and husband have found a sense of fulfillment.

“Not only has the community embraced us from a business perspective, but this is where we live and on a personal level, the community has also opened their arms and embraced us,” Bayless said. “We want to do everything we can to give back.”

After graduating from Green Field School in 1991, Bayless moved to Maine to attend Bates College where she obtained a degree in economics in 1995. Eventually moving to Boston in 1998 after a three-year stint in New York City, she met her husband Jeff Stitt, a real estate developer. It was while she was completing a graduate degree in social work from Boston University in 2006 that Bayless discovered her passion for real estate.

“I began to realize that real estate is about relationships and communicating with people and understanding what they need and what their motivations are and helping them find a place to go home,” Bayless said.

“It was not too different, actually, than what I have been studying.”

The two moved back to Tucson in 2006 to be closer to family and with a little bit of encouragement from her husband, she began to pursue her license in real estate.

Bayless said the key to being a successful real estate agent lies in communication and an ability “to resolve problems and find creative solutions to resolving problems and working with people and helping them navigate obstacles.”

Currently “busier than ever,” Bayless said that the housing market is the strongest she has seen in 15 years. Given the considerable amount of people relocating to the greater Tucson area, the “seller’s market” has completely adapted since the pandemic.

“Something we rarely did two years ago, now we do all the time,” Bayless said. “Buyers may not actually be here, so we’ll FaceTime them through homes. That happens a lot. There are 3D virtual tours, I’ve increased staffing to help with the demand, it’s a different market than it was even three years ago.”

Given the increase in opportunities for remote work, a major shift that Bayless has observed are potential home buyers who are relocating from more densely populated areas are taking advantage of low interest rates, in

addition to the increase in second-home buyers.

“People come here, they like the environment, they like the outdoor lifestyle that we offer, they like the community,” Bayless said.

“So, you know, pricing is some of it, but I also think they like the lifestyle that Arizona offers.”

While keeping up with the pace of the current intense housing market, Bayless and her team are embracing this new reality of business and look forward to continuing to support the communities that they live and work in.

“We’re in that one for the long term,” Bayless said. ITB

“I have always believed that the communities that you do business in, particularly as a small business owner, [that] you rely on that community and in turn that community relies on you,” said real estate agent Lisa Bayless.

Courtesy photo.

12

INSIDETUCSONBUSINESS.COM

JULY 30, 2021

TECH TALK

A search for new planets, fighting dementia in women and more servatory west of Tucson recently began its mission to discover planets outside of our solar system, ith a major after passing operational research univerreadiness review by NASA sity right in our and the National Science backyard, a strong military Foundation. The NEID presence and innovative Spectrograph is dedicated companies throughout the to high-precision Doppler metro region, there’s often observations and is used a plethora of interesting in conjunction with a 3.5 science, medical and tech- meter telescope at the nology news to be found in observatory. According to Southern Arizona. Here’s the University of Arizona, a breakdown of the most university researchers have interesting recent led instrument commisdevelopments. sioning and demonstrated that the spectrometer Searching for new meets the technical and planets. A new device at scientific requirements for the Kitt Peak National Ob- operation. The university

Jeff Gardner

Inside Tucson Business

W

also serves as the hub for NEID’s software pipeline, which “translates subtle shifts in the spectrum of starlight into data that tell astronomers about any planets orbiting a star that would be impossible to observe directly.”

“The instrument is performing exceptionally well, more than beating our precision requirement, and we believe it is sensitive to planets only slightly larger than the Earth,” said Chad Bender, NEID’s instrument scientist and an associate astronomer at UA’s Steward Observatory. “We can use observations of the sun to

News and features for Tucson and Southern Arizona’s business and legal communities Chamber Chatter Tucson’s momentum to spur success in 2021

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Cyberinfrastructure, quantum sensing and pest eradication

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Local bars sue Pima County, saying they can’t survive COVID curfew Nicole Ludden

Chamber Chatter

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thriving despite pandemic

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Officials ‘devastated’ as feds extend nonessential border travel ban

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Flora’s Market Crudo Bar elevates the raw food conversation

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Mayor wants Uhlich to return as replacement PEOPLE Page 4 IN ACTION

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Financial trio donates to Gospel Rescue Mission

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Real estate appraisers, brokers , and mortgage lenders

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Page 15 Meritage Homes Developing Multiple Communities in Vail Chicano Por La Causa charter schools bring students across the finish line Page 10

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+ Speaking with the new CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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| Page 6 in a virtual year Volcanoeslearning Pima JTED balances hands-on

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UA researchers study how to cure bad breath in dogs

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Understanding health care law changes

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Sen. Kelly tours Rialto, highlights aid program

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Nurses look back on lessons learned during the past year

UA researchers stops COVID reports

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better understand stellar activity and then apply that knowledge to other stars that are similar to the sun, where we are looking for Earth-like planets.”

For centuries, planets orbiting the stars outside of our solar system were hypothesized. However, it wasn’t until 1992 that the existence of an exoplanet was confirmed.

Since then, nearly 5,000 exoplanets in 3,500 solar systems have been detected thanks to rapidly increasing astronomical technology and effort.

The name NEID (NASA/NSF-explore Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler spectroscopy) is also derived from the Tohono O’odham word “ñeid” meaning “to see.”

only source available for a contract, rather than going through the typical competitive process for government contracts. The contract’s work will take place at Raytheon’s Tucson location and is expected to be completed in February 2027.

“The LRSO team has strived for nearly three years to ensure the Air Force achieved a stable cruise missile design meeting the nation’s requirement for a credible air-delivered nuclear deterrent for many years to come,” said Elizabeth T. Thorn, LRSO program manager.

“Awarding the EMD contract marks our next step in finalizing development, fully maturing our manufacturing techniques, and proving LRSO meets its operational requirements.”

The study, “Association between menopausal hormone therapy and risk of neurodegenerative diseases” published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, studied records of more than 300,000 women, with or without hormone therapy. According to the study, hormone therapy was associated with reduced risk of all neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and dementia, with greater duration of therapy and natural steroid formulations associated with greater efficacy. In particular, it found that women who underwent menopausal hormone therapy for six years or greater were 79% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and 77% less likely to develop any neurodegenerative disease.

Maturing Missiles. Ear“With this study, we are lier this month, the US Air Alzheimer’s Abategaining mechanistic Force awarded a $2 billion ment. A new study out of knowledge. This reduction Engineering and Manufac- the University of Arizona in risk for Alzheimer’s turing Development contract found that women who disease, Parkinson’s and to Raytheon Missiles and take menopausal hormone dementia means these Defense for its “Long Range therapy may have reduced diseases share a common Standoff ” cruise missile. risks of developing a driver regulated by The Long Range Standoff neurodegenerative disease, estrogen, and if there are will replace the aging AGM- including Alzheimer’s. common drivers, there can 86B Air Launched Cruise According to the National be common therapies,” Missile, fielded in the early Cancer Institute, menosaid Roberta Diaz Brinton, ’80s. According to Air Force pausal hormone therapy PhD, director of the UA major general Anthony is a treatment that doctors Center for Innovation in Genatempo, the LRSO may recommend to relieve Brain Science and senior program office capitalized common symptoms of author on the paper. “The on a pioneering reliability menopause and to adkey is that hormone and manufacturing approach dress long-term biological therapy is not a treatment, to establish a very capable changes in a woman’s body but it’s keeping the brain and mature design during during and after menoand this whole system the Technology Maturation pause. However, there is functioning, leading to and Risk Reduction phase. growing evidence that cer- prevention. It’s not The contract is a sole-source tain hormone therapies can reversing disease; it’s acquisition, which occurs reduce the risk of cancer, preventing disease by keeping when the government deems and now neurodegenerative the brain healthy.” ITB a specific contractor is the diseases as well.

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13

ON THE MENU

You deserve bitter: National IPA Day is coming up 2014, a full 70% of the beer they’ve sold is in the IPA category. And with my sneak peek at what they’re t’s the day over which preparing to roll out, I’d hop fans like myself swoon. By the time this expect that number to flirt newspaper hits the streets, with 95% on Aug. 5.

To get ready for the big we’ll be about a week away from National IPA Day on day, Antillon’s team is brewing four special IPAs, Aug. 5. three of which are infused This day dedicated to with ingredients to balance the glory of hop flowers, the bitterness with sweet celebrated by craft beer notes. enthusiasts on the first The Melon Creamsicle Thursday of every August, is a reaffirmation that the IPA is a fruity expression market is robust for those of their signature Cereus IPA, made with Strata, who prefer their brews Citra and Mosaic hops. on the bitter and slightly “All of our infusions are more spirituous sides. made with fresh ingreHowever, with sours and other styles of beers trend- dients, so I imagine that we’ll be chopping a lot of ing upward over the past fresh honeydew melons year, I’ve wondered what and using either coconut the future holds for my or vanilla beans in this beloved India Pale Ale. one.” This beer presents Encouragingly, after at an approachable 6% on sitting down with local brewery executive Linette the Alcohol By Volume Antillon, I’ve learned that (ABV) scale.

A Strawberry Limeade the spirit of National IPA Day guides her team’s work Benthos IPA will also be on tap, featuring Idaho throughout the calendar 7, Amarillo, and Simcoe year. hops. Fresh strawberries “We brew many differand lime juice will come ent styles of beers, but we really love to brew the together with the tri-hop blend to deliver a kickedkinds of beers that we up version of this classic really love to drink, and summertime refresher mostly those are IPAs,” with an ABV of 6.5%. said Antillon, co-owner National IPA Day of Pueblo Vida Brewing wouldn’t be complete Company, 115 E. Broadwithout a selection or two way Boulevard. “We love that punch the palate in to play with the nuances more powerful ways, and of hops, and IPAs lend two of the day’s releases us that creative ability to will exceed that showcase and blend cerexpectation. tain varieties.”

Weighing in at an ABV Since Pueblo Vida of 8%, the Dynamic Douopened their doors in

Matt Russell

Special to Inside Tucson Business

I

ble IPA starts with Nelson, Citra, and Ella hops. It’s then infused with pineapple and other fresh ingredients that Antillon says will trigger “thoughts of pineapple upside down cake.” Sounds like my kind of dessert!

The last beer in the celebratory lineup is certainly not for beginners. It’s a triple IPA, with a mighty ABV of 10%, that’s intentionally named Still Life.

Strata, Citra and Galaxy hops will all come together to deliver a high-voltage, beer-sipping moment that you’ll not soon forget.

The four limited-edition releases will make their Pueblo Vida taproom debut, in glasses, crowlers, and growlers, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5. If the kegs don’t dry out by 9 p.m. that evening, the taproom will be open on Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Whatever your plan is for National IPA Day, either at a local taproom or in the comforts of home, please enjoy it responsibly and save some of that ITB swoon for next year.

Contact Matt Russell, whose day job is CEO of Russell Public Communications, at mrussell@russellpublic. com. Russell is also the publisher of OnTheMenuLive.com as well as the host of the Friday Weekend Watch segment on the “Buckmaster Show on KVOI 1030 AM.

“We brew many different styles of beers, but we really love to brew the kinds of beers that we really love to drink, and mostly those are IPAs,” said Linette Antillon, co-owner of Pueblo Vida Brewing Company, 115 E. Broadway Boulevard. “We love to play with the nuances of hops, and IPAs lend us that creative ability to showcase and blend certain varieties.” Courtesy photo.

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At Long Last, the Historic Teatro Carmen is set to be Restored Margaret Regan

Special to Inside Tucson Business

I

n 1914, a determined Tucson woman by the name of Carmen Soto de Vásquez set out to create a theater that would showcase Mexican culture.

The Old Pueblo was small in those days, with about 15,000 residents.

More than half were Spanish speakers, but only a few of the town’s 10 or so theaters showed Mexican plays or movies, and they did so only in between English language offerings.

Soto was eager to bring sophisticated Spanish and Latin American plays to Tucson, performed entirely in Spanish by traveling troupes from Mexico.

Soto owned a plot of land on Meyer Street, a bustling thoroughfare of the Mexican community, and she hired a mason to build her glamorous theater. On May 20, 1915, Teatro Carmen opened its doors to a packed audience, decked out in their finest to watch “Cerebro y Corazon” (Head and Heart). Notably, Soto chose a play by female playwright, Teresa Farías de Isassi, for the inaugural performance.

A critic in the El Tucsonense, a Spanish language newspaper, gave it a rave review, writing that the “comfortable, roomy seating, good lighting and magnificent artistic décor accompanied by the high level of artistic performance with which it was

inaugurated provides a new note to our art and society.”

A new note of art was exactly what Soto wanted, but she was also a good businesswoman. She paired serious plays with short comedies and music, and she quickly added the newfangled movies that were capturing the nation.

She even put a boxing ring inside her elegant theater.

Despite these efforts, Teatro Carmen failed by 1922. It was sold in 1926 and morphed into a range of uses, including an adult school and, some say, a car repair shop. Soto died in 1934, and eventually the building was sold to an African American group, the Pilgrim Rest Elks Lodge No. 601. The Elks used it as a clubhouse for almost 50 years.

A few times, the old place was used again for performances. Borderlands Theater Company, specializing in Latino plays, mounted dramas there in 1987-1988—until the roof collapsed. Later, scenes in the star-studded 1995 movie Boys on the Side, featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Drew Barrymore, were shot inside and outside the theater.

But around 1996, the theater was bought by the Rolling real estate family, who own more than 20 buildings in Barrio Viejo.

Soto’s dream was reduced to a storage repository.

Now, Teatro Carmen is set to return to its theater roots. Herb Stratford, who spearheaded the rehabil-

itation of the Fox Tucson Theatre, now intends to bring back Carmen’s theater to its original glory.

“It’s pretty cool,” he says enthusiastically: The theater is one of the oldest in Arizona. (Only the 1881 Bird Cage in Tombstone is believed to be older.)

Stratford’s involvement started almost two years ago, when Demion Clinco of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation called him up out of the blue.

“I have your next project,” Clinco said.

Stratford rolled his eyes.

Since he left the Fox, he’s been, among other things, a consultant for historic theaters across the country and the director of the annual Film Festival Tucson.

Busy as he was, he said, “I can’t take anything on.”

Then Clinco said the magic words. “Teatro Carmen.”

What arts loving theater maven could say no?

“I started talking with Don Rollings,” Stratford recalls. Rolling wanted to sell, and he was looking for someone with experience in theater and an ability to get grants. Stratford fit the bill.

This past June, the two parties sealed the deal, with nonprofit Stratford Art Works, Inc., paying $940,000, to Bacon Industries, Inc. The 106-year-old building, easily visible with its cheerful yellow façade, is at 380 S. Meyer Ave., just south of the Tucson Con-

vention Center.

In an interview on a sweltering summer day, Stratford showed me around. The inside has been swept clean—unlike the Fox, where in its abandoned days pigeons ruled and trash prevailed. But the Teatro needs plenty of work.

Adobe and brick still grace the façade, but the door will be remade to mirror the original entry.

The sheet metal roof must be replaced and the indoor walls need attention. The actual stage was unfortunately torn down in the ’40s or ’50s, Stratford says.

“We will build a new stage.”

But the proscenium, possibly from 1915, is still there and so is the tin ceiling. And two prized 1920s “skyscraper” lights still dangle down from above.

A big room the Elks added on to the south end of the building also needs a roof replacement. Stratford hopes to turn the space into a restaurant and bar; he plans to add photos and memorabilia that celebrate its Black origins. An empty lot outside will be transformed into a patio, which could be used for outside events.

As for the theater itself, Stratford plans for just 300 seats.

“None of the existing theaters nearby hit that number,” he points out. The Cabaret at The Temple has fewer than 100 seats and Leo Rich has 500. “There’s nothing else downtown at the 300

Teatro Carmen is one of the oldest theatres in Arizona (opening its doors in 1915). After exchanging hands and services over the decades, Teatro Carmen is ready for refurbishing. Photo by Margaret Regan.

sweet spot.” And to make the Teatro Carmen more flexible, the seats won’t be nailed down.

The programming will feature genres from live theater to movies and music and dance, performed by both touring and local artists. Local organizations will also be welcomed, Stratford says, and a new advisory committee is charged with “connecting with the with the neighborhood, future audiences and the Latino performing arts community.” The committee already includes Dan Guerrero, son of Lalo Guerrero, and an entertainer in his own right.

Stratford also plans to invite people in to tell their memories of the building, a place he believes is “unique in its ties to both Hispanic and African American communities.”

Likely there are very few people still living who will remember the theatre in action, but he’s hoping that African-Americans who

had ties to the Elks lodge will contribute their own stories.

The theater won’t be up and running any time soon.

“This is a multimillion dollar project,” he says, with an estimated price tag of $5.5 million. “It’s probably a two to three year project. It will be six to nine months before we begin” working on the building.

The group has already reached out to federal and state officials for possible grants, and now that the nonprofit owns the building, the team will stage fundraising campaigns.

Stratford hopes the public will be excited by an enterprise that blends the arts with culture and history.

As he has written, “Teatro Carmen is the last remaining unrestored cultural asset in the community, and the one with the richest, oldest and most diverse history.” ITB

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JULY 30, 2021

Banks Rank 2021 2020

Business Address

Phone Company Email Website

1

Commerce Bank of Arizona 7315 N. Oracle Rd. Suite #181 Tucson, AZ 85704

(520) 325-5200 N/A www.commercebankaz.com

Pacific Premier Bank 4400 East Broadway, Suite 112 Tucson, AZ 87511

(520) 257-4111 N/A www.ppbi.com/Tucson

Arizona Deposits

Total Assets

Total Net Loans & Leases

No. Offices: Local National

$279.2M

$331.6M

$246.7M

2 4

N/A

$19.7B

$13.0B

2 67

Parent Company Headquarters

Top Local Executives

Year Establ.

Locally

Tucson

Paul C. Tees

2002

Pacific Premier Bank Irvine, CA

Kevin Cutter

1996

Ranked by Arizona deposits Ranked information is provided by business representatives at no charge and is ranked alphabetically in case of ties. There is no charge to be included in Inside Tucson Business listings.

NL=not listed last year NR=listed last year but ranking criteria not provided

Credit Unions Rank Business 2021 Address 2020

Phone Company Email Website

No. of Total AZ Members Assets

AZ Net Loans & Leases

AZ Total Shares

No. Offices: Membership Requirements Eligible Groups Local National

Top Local Executives

Year Establ.

Locally

1

Hughes Federal Credit Union 971 W. Wetmore Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705

(520) 794-8341 email@hughesfcu.org HughesFCU.org

159,278

$2

$1

$2

7 0

Robert J. Swick

1952

2

OneAZ Credit Union 2355 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85027

(602) 452-4940 marketing@oneazcu.com www.oneazcu.com

145,000

$2.8B

$1.4B

$2.5B

3 20

To become a member of OneAZ Credit Union, all you need is $5 to open your Share Kim Reedy Savings account. This represents your ownership in the Credit Union. If you live in Laura Worzella Arizona, are related to an existing member, or work for a qualified employer, you are Mike Boden eligible for membership.

1951

3

Vantage West Credit Union 2480 N. Arcadia Ave. Tucson, AZ 85712

(520) 298-7882 info@VantageWest.org www.VantageWest.org

98,000

$2.5B

$1.4B

$2.1B

12 20

Membership is welcome to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school, or owns a business in Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, or Cochise Counties

Sandra SagehornElliott

1955

4

Pima Federal Credit Union 6850 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704

(520) 887-5010 info@pimafederal.org pimafederal.org

63,000

$864.8M

N/A

$N/A

8 N/A

N/A

Eric H. Renaud

1951

Live, work, worship or attend school in Tucson, affiliation with one or more than 600+ qualifying organizations

Ranked by the total number of members List ranked alphabetically in case of ties. There is no charge to be included in Inside Tucson Business listings.

N/A=not provided NL=not listed last year

Newspapers - Free Rank Company 2021 Logo 2020

Business Address

Phone Company Email Website

Average Distribution Home Print Cycle Delivery Circulation Rates

Content

Parent Company Headquarters

Publisher Year Editor Establ.

Advertising Director Locally

1

Bear Essential News for Kids 2525 E. Broadway Blvd. Ste. 102 Tucson, AZ 85716

(520) 792-9930 nancy@bearessentialnews.com bearessentialnews.com

38,000

Monthly

N/A

Educational resource for Tucson's diverse family market.

Featuring Young Reporters stories, and world, national and local news. Distributed through schools and daily newspaper.

Kids' View Communications Tucson

P: Nancy Holmes E: Stephen B. Gin A: Nancy Holmes

1979

2

Tucson Weekly 7225 N. Mona Lisa Road, Ste. 125 Tucson, AZ 85741

(520) 797-4384 tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com tucsonweekly.com

33,000

Weekly

n/a

Local news, commentary, arts/entertainment, advertising

Tucson Local Media, LLC

P: Jason Joseph E: Jim Nintzel A: Casey Anderson

1984

3

Explorer Newspaper 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125 Tucson, AZ 85741

(520) 797-4384 tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com explorernews.com

30,800

Weekly

$50.25/yr.

Community news for northern Pima and southern Pinal counties, Oro Valley, Marana, SaddleBrooke and Rancho Vistoso

Tucson Local Media, LLC

P: Jason Joseph E: Jim Nintzel A: Casey Anderson

1993

4

Marana News 7225 N. Mona Lisa Rd., Ste. 125 Tucson, AZ 85741

(520) 797-4384 tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com maranaweeklynews.com

12,220

Weekly

$50.25/yr.

Community news for Town of Marana and surrounding areas.

Tucson Local Media, LLC

P: Jason Joseph E: Jim Nintzel A: Casey Anderson

1993

5

Foothills News 7225 N. Mona Lisa Road Tucson, AZ 85741

(520) 797-4384 tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com www.tucsonlocalmedia.com

8,000

Bi-Monthly

n/a

The Catalina Foothills community newspaper

Tucson Local Media, LLC

P: Jason Joseph E: Jim Nintzel A: Casey Anderson

2008

6

Desert Times 7225 N Mona Lisa Rd #125 Tucson, AZ 85741

(520) 797-4384 tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com deserttimes.com

6,000

Monthly

n/a

Community News for Southwest Tucson and surrounding areas.

Tucson Local Media, LLC

P: Jason Joseph E: Jim Nintzel A: Casey Anderson

1993

Ranked by the average print circulation Ranked information is provided by business representatives at no charge and is ranked alphabetically in case of ties. Other businesses were contacted but either declined or did not respond by deadline. There is no charge to be included in Inside Tucson Business listings.

N/A=not provided WND=would not disclose NL=not listed last year NR=listed last year but ranking criteria not provided

16

JULY 30, 2021

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