By Councilmember Richard Fimbres
This past year has been a challenging one for our community with the COVID-19 virus, health pandemic and the economic fallout from COVID-19.
As of my writing this (December 19), in Tucson and Pima County, there were 57,250 cases of COVID-19 and 875 people have died from this virus. In Arizona, there were 444,000 cases of COVID-19 and 7,819 deaths.
COVID-19
The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to increase and we have all lost family and friends to this virus and we must continue to practice social distancing, washing hands frequently, wearing a mask. Our community just lost a great man with Ramón Gonzáles, the founder of Miracle on 31st Street, passed away from COVID-19.
The Mayor and Council, the City Manager and the Pima County Health Department have worked together to deal with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and each of the waves of increased positive tests, cases and the deaths of those who lost their battle to this.
My office has worked to issue over 16,000 masks to the good citizens of Ward 5 so far and continue to work to get more masks for citizens.
I have advocated for more testing sites in Ward 5, for which the El Pueblo Center, El Rio and Pima County have had more testing sites.
If you have not been tested for COVID-19, please do so.
When the COVID-19 vaccine is available and you have the opportunity to get the vaccine, please do so. In also with the flu season upon us, please make sure you get your flu vaccine also Although this has been a challenging year I have good news to report.
More employees
Modular Mining had its third expansion adding another 35 employees in high wage jobs. In just six years, modular mining has expanded from 200 employees to 350 employees
The U of A Tech Park at the Bridges, broke ground and began construction on their first building, the main building called the refinery, a 120,000 square foot building that will house Tech Launch Arizona, the U of A center for innovation and other startups. More than 100 construction jobs were created for this project.
Construction
Construction is underway for the Woodspring Hotel, Taco Bell, Waterwork Hotel, Whataburger, and another 111-room hotel to be located by JTED.
In 2020, a Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mister Car Wash, Dutch Brothers opened their doors at the Bridges.
Sandvik Industries and Paragon Space expanded, adding three dozen jobs. Vector Launch stayed in Ward 5 and Tucson.
Raytheon expanded as well in 2020, adding 1,400 jobs.
The JTED Center for Innovation at the bridges opened this year. Thanks to a collaborative effort by me, my office, city staff, JTED and the developers, this new school was built in less than 18 months and on time.
Ninth Annual Arizona Bilingual Kidz Expo
In August, Ward 5 held the first drive through event, the Ninth Annual Arizona Bilingual Kidz Expo, with 2500 participants. This was done through the work of Ward 5, Arizona Bilingual, City Parks, TPD and Transportation, and paved the way for drive through events to be held.
The Tucson Airport, in Ward 5, began construction on the first, full construction runway.
Poverty and Urban Stress Report
The 2020 City of Tucson Poverty and Urban Stress Report was released and in Ward 5: The poverty rate was lowered, more people are obtaining high school degrees or GEDS, the number of high school dropouts fell by 10% and, Ward 5 did not have the highest property crime, violent crime and overall crime rate.
Good News
Ward 5 has led beautification efforts and tree planting events at the Thomas Price Center, Ward 5, the Las Vistas and Pueblo Gardens neighborhood, to name several from this year.
Final permits are being obtained for a 128-unit housing project, and a 300-unit housing project at the bridges, with construction to begin in 2021 and completed in 2022.
Plans are in the works for 300 units of housing by I-10 and Wilmot.
An affordable housing development is being constructed on Drexel near Benson Highway, and the developer of the Rio Viejo affordable housing project (54 units) is getting the final approval for their next affordable housing project called Rio Mercado, located in Ward 5.
In October, we had the groundbreaking for the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial at the Quincie Douglas Center, which will be completed by April 2021.
Jobs in Ward 5
More than 1,800 jobs in Ward 5 were created and retained this year. More than 1,200 construction jobs were created through projects. During my time as your Councilmember, I have worked to create more than 13,000 jobs in the Ward.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and may 2021 be a better year for us all. Be safe, stay healthy, wear your mask so we can work together to improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.
