For previous editions of Jefferson Park newsletters CLICK HERE.
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Annual Beat the Heat
Jefferson Park Ice Cream Social!
Wednesday, July 25, 6pm
Ward 3 Meeting Room
1510 E Grant Road
Delicious Ice Cream and great conversations. Meet a new neighbor, catch up with an old one.
Discuss the many new issues facing your neighborhood. We need your voice!
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JEFFERSON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD -
July 25, 6pm, WARD III office.
August JP takes a vacation-no meeting in August
GRANT ROAD COALITION MEETINGS - July 24, 6pm, Ward III office. In August the coalition takes a month off - no meeting in August. Five neighborhoods advocating for the best decisions that protect neighborhoods. The Linear Trail from Park to Santa Rita is one of the projects
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NO AUGUST MEETINGS FOR EITHER GROUP!
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Neighborhood Information Coming Your Way
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DOOR HANGERS
ON EVERY DOOR The annual back-to-school informational door hangers will soon be distributed by each area representative.
Jefferson Park's greatest influx of folks is in August when the UA and schools begin. The door hangers are an effort to inform everyone of the neighborhood contact numbers and invite them to participate in the community.
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WELCOME PACKETS
BY REQUEST Welcome packets come in a handy folder. Inside is information about projects, samples of newsletters, websites, and the history of Jefferson Park.
Welcome Packets are designed for new residents to Jefferson Park. Residents can request a packet from their area rep (listed below) or call Suzanne at 740-0757. See a new neighbor? Take them one!
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There has been an uptick in burglaries in JP lately. The JPNA board has alerted the TPD and asked for more surveillance. Do your part and stay alert. Know your neighbor! Suspicious vehicles etc. Call 911. And do the new folks a favor. Introduce yourself, share contact info. Alert them to lock their cars--especially the students!
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Beginnings of chicane at Hampton and Grant |
Several years ago the JPNA, at the request of many neighbors, lobbied TDOT for a traffic circle/chicane to prevent cut-through traffic caused by First/Grant light. It has been a nuisance for residents, particularly from large delivery trucks.
Initially, the neighborhood was to pay for the traffic circle. Through discussions with TDOT they agreed to put it in on their dime when the construction neared finish. Good to their word we see the beginning of a chicane. Neighborhood traffic will be able to exit but Grant Road traffic will not be able to enter the neighborhood on this street.
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JP expresses concerns about Stadium-wide alcohol sales at UA games
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The following e-mail was sent to the Director of Community Relations at the UA as a result of a new alcohol policy for UA games beginning Sept 1:
The Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association met this past Wednesday evening for our regular monthly meeting.
One topic of discussion was the U of A proposal, Extension of Premises to Serve Alcohol at AZ Stadium. An intense discussion among attendees, both neighbors, and board members ensued, regarding the pros and cons of the proposal.
We do believe that the surrounding neighborhoods will be affected, at the very least :
* with more trash
* the greater likelihood that impaired drivers will be behind the wheel using neighborhood streets, and
* could result in additional red tags being issued in the neighborhoods, just to cite a few issues.
In the 1980's, the U of A suspended serving alcohol in the stadium during football games. As some of us recall, that decision was due to unruly and sometimes dangerous behavior, such as individuals falling down steps, accidentally pouring beer on other spectators, using foul language, and generally annoying other people.
On the FAQ sheet, you mention that "Universities that have added alcohol sales to the general public have reported no change, or a slight decrease, in alcohol-related fan misbehavior." Would you please share the source of this research?
In the 2017 Clery Report generated by UAPD, uapd.arizona.edu, the U of A listed a total of 763 liquor law violations and disciplinary actions for 2016, up from 457 in 2015, and another 168 liquor law arrests, totaling 931 incidences. Alcohol consumption and misuse continue to be a critical issue for the U of A.
As a result, nine of the ten board members present expressed serious concerns and are not in favor of expanding the liquor service at the U of A stadium.
In keeping with the University's Neighborhood Relations pledge "to foster positive and mutually beneficial relationships regarding campus and student activities and their impact on adjacent areas," we urge you to seriously reconsider this proposal.
Thank you for your attention to this matter
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Jefferson Park expresses concerns about left turn arrow installed on Park Ave.
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Left Turn Arrow from Grant on to Park - Really? Left turn arrows which funnel traffic into Jefferson Park off Speedway and Grant put extra pressure on our neighborhood streets and further endanger our students biking to the U. Park Avenue is especially precarious for bike riders with its shaggy edges. Matt, a student who rides says he goes extra miles when biking to class to avoid using Park. The Honors Dorm construction blocks the access to the Fremont underpass to the U. Add more cars to that situation and students, like my grandson, will be further endangered. Let's funnel cars to Euclid and Campbell as was originally planned. Also let's have the traffic assessment promised by the city on the already installed left turn arrows on Speedway before we even consider adding Park to the mix. And for goodness sake, can't we fix Park???
Thank you JPNA board who have brought this to the attention of the City!!
(J. Daniels, concerned grandmother in JP)
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Campbell/Grant Parklet hits a bump!
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There's been some changes since the last reported work to convert the eyesore bare corner at Campbell and Grant to a parklet until the Grant Construction Project returns in 2026+. Surrounding neighborhoods and Wards 3 and 6 thought they had the cooperation of the Holualoa Developer who owns the private property south of the city property. Not so. See the notes from the emergency meeting at Ward 6 on July 12:
"Here's the gist: The Holualoa group doesn't seem too interested in collaborating with us on the corner. Since they spent the money on the demolition, and since they can't build for a number of years at the corner, they want some income, which probably means they'll rent space to food trucks. To do that, they'll have an entry challenge, but that is something they need to work out with the City.
Meantime, given the prior discussion our neighborhoods had about the corner in its entirety, and the plans that were originally conceived, we needed to re-think design excluding the Holualua slice. City staff were well represented at the meeting, with Assistant City Manager, City realtor, City transportation, parks, etc.
Basically what we propose is to work with just the slice of the lot that is owned by the City, and it is a large slice so there is lots of space to work with. Same sort of idea supported by the city -- big pots with desert hardy plants, and interesting design. (Name tag identifiers on the plants; walking path.) Tucson Clean and Beautiful and City Landscape folks have volunteered to help with a new design. In addition, a UA professor, Margaret Livingston, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning has offered some of her students to help with design.
City needs to figure out how they can get water to the plants, probably off Norris. Annie Barrett, CVNA Parks Committee Chair, is keen to get a mural on the Banner movie theater wall. She thinks funds can be raised for that. We would need permission from Holualoa for muralists to stand on their property to paint the wall, were that to occur.
City Realtor noted that Holualoa still has some City paperwork to complete on environmental assessment. He thinks we could be ready to start in 60 days. Before then, a new design plan to be worked out, and another meeting to review before any implementation."
(Alison Hughes, CVNA, thanks for the notes!)
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Linear Park from Hampton to Santa Rita
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The Linear Park/Trail is a continuing effort on the part of the neighborhoods, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, the city, and the RTA.
At the June JPNA meeting, Nick Mahon announced that there are two potential sources of funding for the linear park:
The first is that the Center for Pima Basin Sustainability, a non-profit organization affiliated with PAG, has applied for a grant from the Tohono O'odham Nation with the City of Tucson's support. The grant is for money from their gaming revenues and we believe that there is a good chance it will be funded. We will know for certain by September 15th of this year.
The second is the proposed parks bond for the City of Tucson, which will go before voters in November. The final details are still being hammered out, but we've secured a line item in the bond for $220,000 for development of the Linear Park. We believe that this bond also has a high likelihood of passing. If we receive the grant and the bond passes, we will be able to reprogram the unneeded money.
(Minutes JPNA meeting June 2018)
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Grant Rd Construction moves to Phase 3/4
What will happen to us (Phases 5/6) --the doughnut hole?
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The next section of Grant Road are Phases 3/4 - Tucson Blvd to Swan. Jefferson Park (from Santa Rita east) is part of 5/6 not to begin until 2026....or later. Below are some notes excerpted from Meg Johnson of Garden District. Of particular note to Jefferson Park is the last paragraph.
"...To see maps showing the new footprint of Grant Rd and which properties will be impacted, go to:
http://www.grantroad.info/phase-3-4
Click on "60% design plans" to see the map. Alignment of curbs generally does not change from the 60% design plans to the 90% design plans, so this is what we anticipate Grant looking like.
The City has already started purchasing full properties on the south side of Grant from Alvernon to Swan
After attending the Ward VI RTA informational meeting this week, it looks like most of the buildings on the south side of Grant will be purchased and torn down for Phases 3 and 4 of the RTA construction. The City will offer incentives to developers to build new on these properties during or after RTA construction. These incentives are often in the form of zoning variances called Overlays.
There is enough RTA funding to acquire all the necessary right of way properties and to start construction, but there is not enough funding to complete our section. Either the City will need to go back to the voters and/or they will find alternative sources of funding. Michael Ortega, Tucson City Manager, spoke briefly and assured the audience that there would not be a "doughnut hole" in the middle of the project where Phases 5 and 6 are supposed to be. That Grant would be completed from Swan to I-10. Phases 3 and 4 will be completed and Phases 5 and 6 will be designed and built. No one knows why the planners skipped the middle and did each end of Grant, instead of going straight down Grant with the construction of the project."
(Thank you, Garden District e-news)
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QUICK LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS:
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Report an
emergency crime:
911
Report an
issue with Banner:
Emergency 24/7 (520) 268-9575
Report an
issue with the U of A:
24/7 available (
520) 282-3649
Report an
unruly gathering: Call 911 CLICK HERE to see Flow Chart
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Collision Reporting Center Speeds Ins. Claims
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FIRST COLLISION REPORTING CENTER IN ARIZONA OPENS IN TUCSON - Motorists involved in minor accidents have a new way to report vehicle damage, obtain a police report, and speed insurance claims. The Tucson Police Department (TPD) this week announced a partnership with Canada-based Accident Support Services International Ltd. (ASSI) to operate the first Collision Reporting Center in Arizona. The free service is offered to people who've experienced non-injury collisions within Tucson city limits.
If you're involved in a traffic collision, please call 911 first. The operator will determine if a police response is needed or if the parties involved will be transferred to an ASSI representative at the center for further instructions. The Collision Reporting Center can take statements, complete a state-mandated police report, and photograph the damage. This one-stop reporting process allows the information to be provided to TPD, the state, and your insurance carrier at the same time.
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Want to green and shade your yard?
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TEP customers can purchase up to two trees a year for only $5 each. There are many varieties to choose from.
www.tep.com/trees-for-you/
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Joan Hall: 990-8054 or e-mail joanchall@yahoo.com. for more information about how the Jefferson Park Green Committee can help you plant your trees.
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Keep your trees alive this summer!
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Despite our recent rains, many trees in our neighborhood are very drought-stressed. It might be expensive to water your trees, but removing a large dead tree will cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Give those trees some love!
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Adopt a Park -
JP & Tucson Clean and Beautiful
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We need your help, every 3rd Saturday of the month
Jefferson Park volunteers walk the parklet at the intersection of Edison/Campbell. They continue south up the Campbell access road...plogging along. No RSVP needed, just show up about 7am. BYOB-bring your own bag...or we supply.
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Jefferson Park is divided into 6 sections. One person from each area is a voting member of the JPNA Board. These folks are the voice for their area. Keep them informed!
Welcome packets also available from Suzanne at 740-0757 or suzannetrp@gmail.com.
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AREA REPRESENTATIVES
Area #1 - Mary Worthen
Area #2 - Jon Heine
Area #3 - Laurel-Heather Milden
Area #5 - Joanne Osuna
Your JPNA Board:
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Ward III - Councilperson Paul Durham
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Paul Durham |
1510 E Grant
and aide Nick Mahon
Ward III, See Paul's e-news at:
Ward VI, Steve Kozachik newsletter:
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Report Transportation Concerns
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Is there a pothole you'd like to see fixed? Is a street sign missing? Is a tree limb hanging too close over a roadway or sidewalk?
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What is a code violation?
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And whom do I call?
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Download an information sheet approved by the City Code Enforcement Division
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Banner Construction
and Info Line
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Construction Updates
on the University Campus
Banner University Medical Center Tucson Campus
website
for the hospital expansion project.
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Emergency 24/7 phone number for the Banner project construction team: (520) 268-9575
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UA Neighborhood Hotline
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Student Related issues can be reported to this number.
Should not be used for 911 calls which should be directed to the TPD
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24/7 available
520-282-3649
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Signing up for the E-News
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Get on the List Serve!
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Come to the JPNA Monthly Meeting
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Fourth Wednesday of the Month, 6pm Ward III Office, 1510 E Grant Rd.
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Renew your $15 voluntary JPNA membership dues
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Copyright © June 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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