Mayor Regina Romero and the six Tucson Councilmembers had a study session today on their survey results after the 45 day pause voted on March 9, for the proposed expansion of the Reid Park Zoo. The survey results by 14,000 participants were the most “neutral” for Concept/option D. City of Tucson City Manager Michael Ortega also recommended Concept D, with the expansion to the north of the current duck ponds.
My post on the survey results: https://blogforarizona.net/proposed-reid-park-zoo-expansion-survey-results/
Discussion:
Mayor Romero spoke about the recent “thorough community engagement” and for a win-win solution, after a presentation about the community dialogue stakeholder meetings and survey conducted in the last 45 days.
Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham spoke for a new Concept G-minor by Tucson architect Bob Vint, favored by the activist group Save the Heart of Reid Park. An over/under bridge could be built from the current zoo to expand the zoo to the north, without a loss of green space in the park. Vint’s proposal here:
Councilman Steve Kozachik of Ward 6, spoke for the original options B & C (taking the south duck pond & Barnum Hill) emphasizing the millions of dollars per capital budget already spent on the contracts with the Zoo expansion. He was not in favor of any additional spending/waste for any re-design.
Ward 5 Councilman Richard Fimbres thanked everyone for all their hard work on this controversy, and then spoke in favor of continuing with the zoo expansion. He moved for the Council to direct staff to continue with the zoo re-design preserving the south duck pond & Barnum Hill, to a new design north/west of Reid Park Zoo (Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center) spending less than $5.5 million, minimizing taking of green space. Seconded by Ward 3 Councilwoman Karin Uhlich.
She spoke about the prior public spending, conservation, equity, and wanted a path forward both to conserve green space and to accomplish the mission of the zoo. She appreciated that the Reid Park Zoo was now working with the Council, to right the course of this controversy.
Vice Mayor Nikki Lee of Ward 4 thanked all those involved with the community survey, and about building trust with the voters. She wanted to avoid such problems in the future, addressed to the City Manager. She also questioned Councilman Richard Fimbres about the $5.5 million in his motion, as opposed to Concept D’s prior listing of $3.6 million.
Mayor Romero reiterated about “trust” and “responsibility” to the voters, for the best investment of city funds. She emphasized the importance of community engagement with the neighbors surrounding Reid Park.
Councilman Steve Kozachik then asked specifically about where would the lines be drawn and would bidding be started again for the current contract holders. City Manager Ortega said that a new design hybrid D-G will be worked on, and he would be re-negotiating contracts into the future.
Stay tuned for the final re-design. Motion passed 6-1, with Councilman Kozachik against.
To view this March 4 meeting live (video recording): https://www.tucsonaz.gov/gov/mayor-and-council-live
(Zoo discussion and this vote starts at about 2:44:30 into the video.)
UPDATE 5/7/21: Reports from the Save the Heart of Reid Park group is that Ward 5 Councilman Fimbres meant new Concept G-minor in his motion. That was not clear in the meeting on March 4, so stay tuned for the final plan from City staff. In the recording, at the end of the meeting Mayor Romero called the new concept D+ or hybrid D/G.
Appreciate this play-by-play, Carolyn!