Phase 1: Virtual Community Workshops

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Based on the feedback from the two virtual meetings, the community appreciates a broad range of features and initiatives that contribute to the city's future growth.

The Plan Tucson Phase 1 Virtual Meetings took place on:

  • March 8, 2023
  • March 22, 2023

Community members were asked to respond to the following questions and you can find some of the responses below:

  • What do you like about Tucson?
  • What are your concerns about Tucson?
  • What ideas/changes do you have?
LikesConcernsIdeas/Changes

Community and Neighborhoods:

  • Nice landscaping in front yards
  • Art in front yards
  • Stable and walkable neighborhoods
  • Opportunities to meet neighbors (e.g., dog walking, block parties)
  • Creating a safe and supportive community
  • Communication, networking, and strong community resources

Housing and Homelessness:

  • Lack of affordable housing and facilities for the homeless.
  • Gentrification and its impact on housing.
  • Concerns about dorm housing, overcrowded student housing, and the need for low-income housing.

Affordable Housing:

  • Establish a housing bond program to fund loans for affordable housing that meets community criteria.
  • Encourage developers to include low-income housing and create accessory dwelling units on larger lots.

Infrastructure and Transportation:

  • Complete streets vision with bike paths and dog accommodations
  • Public transportation options and accessibility (e.g., Sunlink tram, Amtrak station)
  • Protected bike lanes and bike boulevards
  • The Aviation Bikeway and the loop

Infrastructure and Transportation:

  • Dilapidated homes and road quality.
  • Lack of infrastructure for EV adoption.
  • Traffic congestion, road safety, and aggressive drivers.
  • Inefficient public transportation and a need for better connectivity.

Transportation Improvements:

  • Ensure transparency in the transportation planning and construction process.
  • Improve pedestrian and bike safety, including adding more shade at bus stops.

Mass Transit Enhancements:

  • Explore options for a modern rail system (like BART) or bullet train connecting Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
  • Expand the current bus system to increase frequency and accessibility.

Diversity and Inclusivity:

  • Diversity of neighborhoods
  • Mixed-income communities

Community and Social Issues:

  • Problems related to homelessness, including camping in alleys and panhandling.
  • Crime and safety concerns, including theft and street racing.
  • Concerns about the impact of transient populations on the community.

Community Outreach and Resources:

  • Increase outreach to publicize existing city resources for housing and homeless assistance.
  • Establish neighborhood "hubs" where citizens can access socialization, information, and assistance.

Policy and Government:

  • Interpretation and improvement of policy
  • Collaborative processes and commitment to neighborhoods
  • Programs to improve infrastructure and zoning, not widely known by the public

Policy and Governance:

  • Concerns about policy development and engagement with the community.
  • Issues with current policies affecting the younger generation and economic development.
  • Support for non-profits and efforts to engage with policy on education and environment.

Collaborative Decision-Making:

  • Implement a modern agile project management framework for policy development and refinement.
  • Review and update policies to align them with current and future needs.

Health and Safety:

  • Mild winters
  • Health entities and resources
  • Engagement with the community for a safer city

Urban Planning and Safety:

  • Inadequate planning involving communities and natural settings.
  • Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, including dangerous intersections and insufficient protected bike lanes.
  • Concerns about street safety, panhandling, and crime.

Public Safety:

  • Improve pedestrian safety and road maintenance.
  • Address staffing shortages and increase police presence to enhance public safety.

Community Support:

  • Collaborate with non-profits to distribute essential items like food, water, and shelter support for those in need.

Homelessness Solutions:

  • Propose city-funded camps to provide shelter and support for the homeless population.

Local Partners and Groups:

  • Appreciation for various organizations and groups like VA, El Rio, Gospel Rescue, Primavera, and others supporting the community

Education and Technology:

  • Pima Community College using CARES institutional funds for technology
  • Connectivity initiatives and access to information

Education and Economic Development:

  • Low high school graduation rates and barriers to higher education.
  • Lack of support and planning for continuing education beyond high school.
  • Economic development challenges impacting local businesses and employers.

Education and Employment:

  • Encourage specialized training programs in collaboration with educational institutions to increase employer interest in Tucson.
  • Enhance incentives for employers to invest in the community, such as educational support for their staff.

Digital Infrastructure:

  • Establish a collaborative task force involving different stakeholders to identify and address digital infrastructure gaps.
  • Engage with internet providers to determine areas with inadequate coverage and work towards solutions.

Environmental Sustainability:

  • Sustainability initiatives and forward-thinking regarding climate issues
  • Water harvesting projects and conservation efforts by Tucson Water

Environmental and Sustainability Issues:

  • Insufficient shade at bus stops and concerns about extreme weather.
  • Overreliance on groundwater and the need for sustainable water management.
  • Environmental challenges associated with climate change, including extreme weather and social unrest

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Wildlife-friendly shrubs and trees
  • Watchable wildlife in the neighborhood
  • Open spaces for parks and nature



Historical and Cultural Features:

  • Historic sidewalks
  • Acknowledgment of Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui peoples' habitation history



Based on the feedback from the two virtual meetings, the community appreciates a broad range of features and initiatives that contribute to the city's future growth.

The Plan Tucson Phase 1 Virtual Meetings took place on:

  • March 8, 2023
  • March 22, 2023

Community members were asked to respond to the following questions and you can find some of the responses below:

  • What do you like about Tucson?
  • What are your concerns about Tucson?
  • What ideas/changes do you have?
LikesConcernsIdeas/Changes

Community and Neighborhoods:

  • Nice landscaping in front yards
  • Art in front yards
  • Stable and walkable neighborhoods
  • Opportunities to meet neighbors (e.g., dog walking, block parties)
  • Creating a safe and supportive community
  • Communication, networking, and strong community resources

Housing and Homelessness:

  • Lack of affordable housing and facilities for the homeless.
  • Gentrification and its impact on housing.
  • Concerns about dorm housing, overcrowded student housing, and the need for low-income housing.

Affordable Housing:

  • Establish a housing bond program to fund loans for affordable housing that meets community criteria.
  • Encourage developers to include low-income housing and create accessory dwelling units on larger lots.

Infrastructure and Transportation:

  • Complete streets vision with bike paths and dog accommodations
  • Public transportation options and accessibility (e.g., Sunlink tram, Amtrak station)
  • Protected bike lanes and bike boulevards
  • The Aviation Bikeway and the loop

Infrastructure and Transportation:

  • Dilapidated homes and road quality.
  • Lack of infrastructure for EV adoption.
  • Traffic congestion, road safety, and aggressive drivers.
  • Inefficient public transportation and a need for better connectivity.

Transportation Improvements:

  • Ensure transparency in the transportation planning and construction process.
  • Improve pedestrian and bike safety, including adding more shade at bus stops.

Mass Transit Enhancements:

  • Explore options for a modern rail system (like BART) or bullet train connecting Tucson, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
  • Expand the current bus system to increase frequency and accessibility.

Diversity and Inclusivity:

  • Diversity of neighborhoods
  • Mixed-income communities

Community and Social Issues:

  • Problems related to homelessness, including camping in alleys and panhandling.
  • Crime and safety concerns, including theft and street racing.
  • Concerns about the impact of transient populations on the community.

Community Outreach and Resources:

  • Increase outreach to publicize existing city resources for housing and homeless assistance.
  • Establish neighborhood "hubs" where citizens can access socialization, information, and assistance.

Policy and Government:

  • Interpretation and improvement of policy
  • Collaborative processes and commitment to neighborhoods
  • Programs to improve infrastructure and zoning, not widely known by the public

Policy and Governance:

  • Concerns about policy development and engagement with the community.
  • Issues with current policies affecting the younger generation and economic development.
  • Support for non-profits and efforts to engage with policy on education and environment.

Collaborative Decision-Making:

  • Implement a modern agile project management framework for policy development and refinement.
  • Review and update policies to align them with current and future needs.

Health and Safety:

  • Mild winters
  • Health entities and resources
  • Engagement with the community for a safer city

Urban Planning and Safety:

  • Inadequate planning involving communities and natural settings.
  • Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists, including dangerous intersections and insufficient protected bike lanes.
  • Concerns about street safety, panhandling, and crime.

Public Safety:

  • Improve pedestrian safety and road maintenance.
  • Address staffing shortages and increase police presence to enhance public safety.

Community Support:

  • Collaborate with non-profits to distribute essential items like food, water, and shelter support for those in need.

Homelessness Solutions:

  • Propose city-funded camps to provide shelter and support for the homeless population.

Local Partners and Groups:

  • Appreciation for various organizations and groups like VA, El Rio, Gospel Rescue, Primavera, and others supporting the community

Education and Technology:

  • Pima Community College using CARES institutional funds for technology
  • Connectivity initiatives and access to information

Education and Economic Development:

  • Low high school graduation rates and barriers to higher education.
  • Lack of support and planning for continuing education beyond high school.
  • Economic development challenges impacting local businesses and employers.

Education and Employment:

  • Encourage specialized training programs in collaboration with educational institutions to increase employer interest in Tucson.
  • Enhance incentives for employers to invest in the community, such as educational support for their staff.

Digital Infrastructure:

  • Establish a collaborative task force involving different stakeholders to identify and address digital infrastructure gaps.
  • Engage with internet providers to determine areas with inadequate coverage and work towards solutions.

Environmental Sustainability:

  • Sustainability initiatives and forward-thinking regarding climate issues
  • Water harvesting projects and conservation efforts by Tucson Water

Environmental and Sustainability Issues:

  • Insufficient shade at bus stops and concerns about extreme weather.
  • Overreliance on groundwater and the need for sustainable water management.
  • Environmental challenges associated with climate change, including extreme weather and social unrest

Wildlife and Nature:

  • Wildlife-friendly shrubs and trees
  • Watchable wildlife in the neighborhood
  • Open spaces for parks and nature



Historical and Cultural Features:

  • Historic sidewalks
  • Acknowledgment of Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui peoples' habitation history