Historic Preservation

Our Opinion: Downtown Tucson’s Fox Theatre is worth the investment

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[Source: Tucson Citizen, Letters to the Editor] – – The Fox Theatre is going through challenging financial times – hardly surprising when the same can be said for most nonprofits, and for General Motors, Citigroup, the state of Arizona, and federal government.  But there is no reason to give up on the Fox – a 1930 movie palace that has been restored into a sparking icon of downtown Tucson.

There will be difficult times ahead for the Fox. The cost to restore it ballooned from the $5 million to $7 million range to about $13 million before it reopened Dec. 31, 2005. The Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation had to borrow $5.6 million from the city, and the loan must be repaid starting in 2011.  But it also is important to look at the successful side of the Fox.  Since it has reopened, the Fox has averaged 152 events per year – about three per week. In 2007, the entertainment options at the Fox represented about 31 percent of all downtown events. [Note: to read the full article click here.]

Springerville celebrates historic school’s comeback

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[Source: WMICentral.com, Larisa Bogardus] – – Echoes of footsteps, laughter and chatter recently brought the historic Springerville Elementary School back to life again for a day. State and local officials as well as supporters of the building’s rehabilitation celebrated the long-awaited project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 21, followed by a brief tour of the site.

“The old school will be a jewel for this community and its citizens to enjoy in the future,” Town Manager Steve West said. “We all should realize its value historically as well as the potential it will have as a meeting place and museum for the people of Round Valley.”  The $250,000 project is funded by an Arizona Heritage Fund preservation grant, a Department of Housing and Urban Development grant facilitated by Congressman Rick Renzi and a Community Development Block Grant. Interior work began in early October and includes handicapped ramps, ADA rest rooms, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work. Arizona Department of Transportation widened the entry drive from Main Street as part of an intergovernmental agreement for services.  Workers for Hamblin Building Systems of Eagar will replace the exterior windows and doors this winter in preparation for new stucco and paint in the spring. Exterior stairs will be replaced and new ramps will be installed as well.  [Note: to read the full article click here.]

Agua Fria National Monument, Ancient battleground? Worth a closer look? Definitely

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[Source: Verde New.com, Steve Ayers] – – If you pass through Canyon de Chelly or walk the banks of Beaver Creek beneath Montezuma Castle, you get an immediate and clear picture of why both are national monuments. Like most of the nation’s inventory, their unique natural and/or cultural qualities are on prominent display. But driving south from the Verde Valley on Interstate 17, looking east as you pass between Dugas Road and Sunset Point rest area, the landscape does not immediately lend itself to either of those prerequisites.

Nevertheless, what you would see out the driver’s side is the Agua Fria National Monument — 71,000 acres spread across a high mesa, split down the middle by the upper Agua Fria River canyon. It is a noticeably barren and often windswept tract of low-lying hills and volcanic grasslands that, at first glance, lack any redeeming value. But don’t be fooled by the cover. The Agua Fria National Monument is worth a closer look. [Note: to read the full article, click here.]

Arizona Lottery funds benefit Yuma-area projects

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[Source: YumaSun.com, Joyce Lobeck] – –  Over the years, the Arizona Lottery has provided millions of dollars for projects in the Yuma area that make it a better place to live and visit.  Those projects range from parks and recreation to wildlife preservation, education, public health, transportation and economic development, said Art Macias, executive director of Arizona Lottery, during a presentation Tuesday to Yuma-area leaders and community members. He repeated the presentation in San Luis, Ariz., for south county representatives.

Since Arizona voters first approved the lottery in 1981, nearly $30 million has gone to help fund projects in Yuma County stretching from San Luis to Wellton, Macias said. A good share of that funding has gone to local transportation needs as a partner with the city of Yuma and Yuma County, he said. Lottery money also helped fund the rehabilitation of the Yuma County Courthouse and the Historic Yuma Theatre, the development of Gateway Park and the West Wetlands along the riverfront, the Urgent Care and Family Center in Somerton, electricity for street lighting in San Luis and street maintenance in Wellton. [Note: to read the full article click here.]