MAYOR AND COUNCIL APPROVES CODE AMENDMENTS TO SPEED UP ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE - Tucson's Mayor and Council yesterday, Aug. 23, voted to make code changes to require electric vehicle (EV) charging in parking areas for new multifamily, office, and retail spaces. The transportation sector is responsible for one-third of heat-trapping emissions. To reach the City's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, Tucson is zeroing in on cars, the buildings where we live and work, the distribution systems that provide us with water and electricity, and the roads, bridges, and transportation systems we use to get around. Scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1, the changes require a percentage of parking spaces in new multifamily, office, and retail development to be EV ready. This could be EV-ready wiring (conduit), electric outlets, or charging stations (depending on the type and size of the development and its parking requirements). Providing EV-ready conduit at the time of construction can be up to four times less expensive than retrofitting later. The code changes are tied to the City's climate emergency declaration.
Read Mayor Regina Romero's tweet after the vote
Watch the meeting item on the City of Tucson's YouTube channel
Mayor and Council agenda materials (item 9)

22ND STREET BRIDGE REVITALIZATION PROJECT BEGINS - Preliminary construction activities are underway as part of the 22nd Street Bridge Revitalization Project from Kino Parkway to Tucson Boulevard. The project will replace the existing weight-restricted bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad, eliminating the need for heavy vehicles weighing more than 15 tons to detour, providing a more direct line of travel for freight and transit. At completion, the project will also increase the number of travel lanes in each direction for improved east-west connectivity. A dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facility also will be included as part of this project. Currently, the contractor is conducting concrete work on Wilson Avenue and will install a new concrete box culvert on 21st Street. The preliminary construction work will not affect travelers. Construction on the bridge is scheduled to begin in early 2023, with the project anticipated to be completed by summer 2025. Earlier this month, The City of Tucson was awarded $25 million in federal grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program to contribute to this Regional Transportation Authority Project.
Project website
Read the news release

HELP CLEAN UP AN EAST SIDE PARK - Join Team Up to Clean Up at the Ready, Set, Rec! Fall Kickoff event this Saturday, Aug. 27, from 8-11 a.m., at Purple Heart Park, 9800 E. Rita Road. Start the morning with the cleanup team and a casual walk around the park perimeter to collect any litter. Stop by the Team Up to Clean Up tent at any time for instructions. Stay for all the family fun activities provided by the Ready, Set, Rec! Fall Kickoff team. We'll have full details about the Ready, Set, Rec! event in tomorrow's NewsNet.
Register for the cleanup event
Read the news release
Team Up to Clean Up Tucson

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO VOTE FOR TUCSON TO WIN A GRANT FOR A NEW DOG PARK (VIDEO) - Tucson has been nominated for a PetSafe® dog park grant to help build a new dog park at Lincoln Park. This grass dog park will have three separate areas to help support the maintenance of the park. With this grant, Tucson will be able to add more amenities to the dog park, such as a water spray feature to keep cool during the extreme heat during the summer and a giant obstacle course for the dogs to enjoy. In addition, pet water fountains, trees, and other play equipment will be added to make this dog park different than any other one in the city. Now through Wednesday, Aug. 31, anyone over the age of 18 who lives within the United States can vote once per day, every day, at the website linked below. The community is encouraged to share the voting opportunity with their friends and followers on all social media platforms.
Bark for your Park voting
Watch a video
Read the news release

TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION TO HOST FREE OPEN HOUSE NEXT MONTH AT RANDOLPH RECREATION CENTER - Join Tucson Parks and Recreation for an open house at Randolph Recreation Center (200 S. Alvernon Way), Sept. 20 and 21, from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tour the facility, meet the staff, participate in a weight room orientation, and view the leisure classes offered for all ages, including senior programming. Other free activities include badminton, pickleball, and basketball. Visit the website linked below for more details on activity times. Refreshments will be available, and each adult will receive a workout towel.
Randolph Recreation Center
Read the flyer
Facebook event