Insufficient Funds: Jerome’s Sullivan Building stabilization in limbo after Arizona State Parks grant “swept”

Mary Wills and Sally Dryer with "updated" check from Arizona State Parks (photo: Jon Pelletier)

[Source: Jon Hutchinson, Verde Independent] — Two Jerome women have operated a Jerome shop for 20 years.  In recent years, they bought the historic Jerome building they occupy in order to restore it and then won a state grant make that happen. That was a thrilling day. Today, that grant is biting back and threatening their livelihood.  Mary Wills and Sally Dryer are now wondering how the State Parks Department could “raid” the voter-approved Arizona Heritage Fund to pay salaries instead of the preservation for which the Heritage fund is intended.

The $150,000 grant they were awarded in 2007 has been cancelled with $112,930.27 left unspent. The grant was cancelled the same day the Jerome State Park was closed.  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Fight to reopen Arizona’s Tonto Natural Bridge State Park continues

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Tonto Natural Bridge (Photo: Payson Roundup)

[Source: Pete Aleshire, Payson Roundup] — Residents of the Rim Country continue to fight to keep the state from making Tonto Natural Bridge another casualty of the budget crisis.  Rim Country officials hope they can win a commitment to reopen Tonto Natural Bridge State Park as early as June at an April 3 Arizona State Parks Board meeting in the Valley.

In addition, local leaders hope that a recently appointed task force studying the long-term future of the state’s battered system of 28 parks will explore creative ways to bolster the region’s best-known tourist draw.  That task force will consider public-private partnerships and joint operating agreements as a way to keep parks open.  “I’m optimistic, but we’ve got to keep the pressure on them,” said Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce Manager John Stanton, following two meetings involving top state park officials, Rim Country leaders and local state lawmakers.   [Note: To read the full article, click here.]

Viewpoint: Closing Riordan Mansion State Historic Park would hurt Flagstaff

[Source: Gwen Groth, Arizona Daily Sun “Letter to the Editor”] — Riordan Mansion State Historic Park remains at risk of closing due to Arizona’s grave budget crisis.  Funds have already been swept from Arizona State Parks and more will be requested.  Shuttering Riordan Mansion State Historic Park goes much further than closing a nice picnic area with a pretty house as a backdrop.  Three part-time employees have already lost their jobs at Riordan Mansion and if the park closes, four full-time employees will lose their jobs as well.  Flagstaff stands to lose nearly 30,000 visitors annually who pause to have lunch, stay in a hotel and visit other attractions.

The “mansion” does not tell the story of a wealthy family.  Instead, the energy-efficient home tells the story of Flagstaff’s beginning and one family who worked hard to build a business and a community.  The Riordans were instrumental in the development of Flagstaff’s infrastructure, education and environmental preservation.  The family donated their home to Arizona so that the legacy of giving could continue through the education of visitors for decades to come.

The state park offers more than a guided tour, museum and beautiful grounds.  Area schools use Riordan Mansion as a hands-on (and affordable) means to teach students about our history.  The park also holds lectures twice monthly that are free, informative and open to the public.  Budget cuts are painful, especially where education is concerned.  Though closing Riordan is not a direct hit to our education system, it is an indirect strike that will hurt Flagstaff in many ways.

Arizona State Parks board considers extra budget meeting

The lodge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

[Source: Pete Aleshire, Payson Roundup] — The state parks board may call a special meeting in March to sort through the smoking smolders of its budget, including the recently imposed closure of .  In addition, House Republicans this week will continue to push for an emergency law to let state parks and other agencies borrow $20 million from a voter-approved open space fund.

That leaves at least two approaches open for Rim Country officials, pushing hard to convince the parks board to reopen Tonto Natural Bridge, which draws more than 90,000 visitors annually to the region.

State parks officials said the main problem for Tonto Natural Bridge remains the need to limit access during critical repairs on a leaky roof that has caused structural problems.  “The access issue with the roof is still the primary question,” said Assistant Director Jay Ziemann. “ The principal question is the necessity to fix the lodge in a timely fashion, before we’re really looking at more rain that could end up desecrating the building.

The secondary issue is how soon could we get the public back in there based upon the need to get that lodge stabilized.”  [Note: To read the full article, click here.]