Thrive in the 05 To Host Resource Fair and Celebrate Neighborhood Action Activities on June 23
Read the News Release from the City of Tucson
Join your neighbors to celebrate the Thrive in the 05 Action Activities and learn about community resources at an upcoming festival and resource fair. Free food, bike repair, and entertainment for all ages!
The Thrive in the 05 Festival and Resource Fair will be held on Friday, June 23, at Pima Community College's Downtown Campus, from 5 to 8 p.m., in the northeast parking lot, 77 W. Drachman Street.
Thrive in the 05 is a collaboration of innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction, Choice Neighborhoods, and Workforce & Economic Development in the 85745 zip code. The City of Tucson’s Housing and Community Development teamed up with the City's Office of Economic Initiatives, Pima Community College, and the ASU Office of Community Health, Engagement, and Resiliency.
Action Activities represent the first phase of implementation of the Thrive in the 05 Transformation Plan, thanks to a combined public investment of $1.5 million from Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhoods, Community Development Block Grants, and City General Funds. These neighborhood improvement and economic development projects were evaluated and selected by a subcommittee of Thrive in the 05 residents and representatives then implemented through a team of dedicated community partners beginning in 2022. Some Action Activity projects have been completed while others are near completion.
The Action Activities are:
City Parks and Recreation and Watershed Management Group will make improvements to Esquer Park next to the Tucson House in Barrio Blue Moon. Green stormwater infrastructure will be installed to minimize flooding, and new walkways and a dog park will be built.
Parks and Recreation with support from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe has improved the ball field and play area of the Richey Resource Center, which was an elementary school primarily serving Yaqui students. The changes will allow greater uses of the playing field and allow for picnic and gather space for neighborhood events.
Community Gardens of Tucson has expanded the Blue Moon Community Garden next to the Tucson House which will increase community participation in growing food, gaining access to fresh produce, and attending community health events.
The City’s Office of Economic Initiatives implemented a façade enhancement initiative called the Visual Improvement Program. The City is providing technical and financial assistance to property owners or business tenants who are restoring the exterior facades, signage, and lighting for commercial buildings.
The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and its partners have placed “Miracle Mile” signs on light posts along the Miracle Mile historic commercial corridor and are planning to install new historic markers on stop signs and new neon art to complement the existing Gateway Saguaro.
Tucson Clean and Beautiful organized several community tree planting events in the Thrive in the 05 neighborhoods to beautify and reduce the effects of heat stress along City streets.
Living Streets Alliance installed several art and traffic calming projects to enhance walking and biking corridors.
Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona will install a series of public art projects to communicate the history and culture of the Thrive in the 05 neighborhoods.
The Action Activities have reinvigorated momentum in the transformation of the neighborhoods and re-engaged residents and partners after the emergency pandemic response. Neighborhood ambassadors helped recruit residents, generate interest, and develop community ownership over the new assets.
In addition to the eight Action Activities, Ward 3 sponsored a cultural asset-mapping project in Thrive in the 05. The Southwest Folklife Alliance worked with residents who shared their knowledge and history of their neighborhoods to create the project.