Garden District
Neighborhood Association
Grant to Speedway,
Swan to Alvernon
Tucson Police Department

NON - EMERGENCY POLICE
520-791-4444  NOT for crimes in progress.

FRONT DESK AT HARDESTY POLICE STATION 791-4253 8 to 5 pm M - Th Mask required.


LEAD POLICE OFFICERS:
Ofc. Scott Wakefield
520-589-8822

Ofc. Cory Atkinson  
520-306-6430

TPD CSO Renet Martin Neighborhood Watch, share video/photos of criminals, report suspicious activity or on-going crime concerns

HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM 520.837.7425
tpdhot@tucsonaz.gov
For Services for the Homeless: 520-791-2540

RTA CONSTRUCTION ON GRANT Bob Roggenthen 520-349-3963 Bob.Roggenthen@tucsonaz.gov






CONTACT GARDEN DISTRICT NA




REPORT CODE VIOLATIONS, ROAD HAZARDS, GRAFFITI, ETC. 792-CITY (2489)


IF THE WRIGHT SCHOOL PARK IS LOCKED, CALL TUSD SECURITY 520-584-7676
AND PARKS & REC 520-791-4144
TRASH ONLY WEEK
IT'S EASY - REQUEST A FREE REPLACEMENT FOR TRASH OR RECYCLING
SPAM ALERT CONNECTED TO GARDEN DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD
A resident received the following spam email this morning. It says it is from Garden District Neighborhood Association. The name of the individual it is supposedly from is a GDNA Board member. It asks for the recipient to buy gift cards for the neighborhood association. Also, grammatical errors and stilted/formal language are often indicators of a spam email.

Garden District Neighborhood Association would never ask for donations through an email. Donations would only be solicited through the official communication of this newsletter. GDNA would never request you to purchase gift cards.

The resident hit "Forward" to see what email address it really came from, and it was obvious the "From" address was not connected with GDNA. The resident then blocked that email address and forwarded the spam email to the spam report for her internet provider.
GRANT RD CORRIDOR PLANNING TASK FORCE MEETING ON APRIL 28
Grant Road Corridor Planning Task Force Meeting
April 28, 2022
5:30 pm
via Zoom

The Task Force’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. This will be a Virtual Meeting using the Zoom platform. The agenda, Zoom login information, and any necessary meeting materials will be sent out soon. Please contact us if you should have any questions or concerns. 
 
Thank you, 
The Grant Road Team
520-624-4727
information@grantroad.info
TO SIGN UP FOR THE GRANT RD NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ZOOM MEETING, CLICK HERE. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the online form to request to receive their newsletter.

Major changes are coming to Grant Rd with construction slated to begin in June. Grant will have an indirect left turn (AKA Michigan Left) at Alvernon to go north or south. Palo Verde and Dodge will no longer allow through traffic. The 100% Design Plan showing the roadway alignment can be found here.

The final design plans for Phases 3 and 4 extend from Palo Verde Boulevard to Venice Place, with temporary transition that will extend to Edith Boulevard. Similar to other phases of this project at the west end of Grant, the design will include additional travel lanes, new and wider sidewalks, more signalized crosswalks, improved bicycle lanes, and enhanced landscaping will improve both the pedestrian and bicyclist use and the appearance of Grant Road. A median and managed access to businesses will improve safety, and will provide a safer and easier way to get to and from residences and businesses in congested areas. Additionally, indirect left turns will be constructed at Alvernon.



For issues with traffic and signage, contact: Bob Roggenthen, Project Manager
520-349-3963 Bob.Roggenthen@tucsonaz.gov
COCKROACHES
You may have seen a truck driving down our streets and stopping briefly at the manholes. The driver would pop open the manhole cover and spray insecticide mixed with white paint into the hole. You may even have recently experienced an increase in roaches in your home as a result.

Contractors from Wasterwater Reclamation treat every manhole once every two years with insecticide. When you see an issue, you can request more frequently than every two years (see below for how to file a request). When the holes are first treated, it often drives the roaches out of the sewer and into homes. The other day, the contractor spraying manholes on Justin told a resident that if you see the truck spraying manholes, you might want to put a splash of bleach in your drains at night. Cockroaches will not walk through bleach and it drives them back into the sewers that have the insecticide.

FROM THE PIMA COUNTY VECTOR ROACH CONTROL PROGRAM WEBPAGE:
Cockroaches are very adaptable and cannot be totally eradicated. In fact, they are important ecologically. Roaches consume decaying organic material, which reduces the volume, so they play a vital role in nature. That having been said, we all want to keep roaches in the great outdoors and not in our homes.

The RWRD (Wastewater Reclamation Roach Division) Conveyance Division operates the Vector (Roach) Control Program, which treats the Pima County sewer system to reduce the number of roaches.

The Conveyance Division engages an outside contractor to treat manholes. We endeavor to treat each manhole once every two years (the amount of time the treatment is designed to last).

Manholes are sprayed with an insecticide mixed into a latex paint. This product is spray-painted on the circumference inside the manhole. Roaches will have to walk across this to leave a manhole. The product does not kill on contact, so after treatment you may see dead or dying roaches anywhere from around the manhole cover to the curb line, and sometimes beyond. You may notice heightened activity in your home after treatment, as roaches are looking to escape the poison. A way to encourage roaches to stay out of your private sewer lines is to pour up to ½ cup of bleach into all of your drains, let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it out. Using the bleach as a preventative maintenance will also discourage other bugs to set up home by keeping your pipes clean.

Please keep in mind there are many private sewer lines and manholes within Pima County. RWRD does not have authority to access them. If you would like to know more about your property plans, maps and records, you can contact Development Services at (520) 724-9000.

A guide to proofing your house against cockroaches, termites, ants and other pests (courtesy of Dawn Gouge, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension)

Reporting Roach Activity
There are 2 ways to report roach activity to Conveyance. Submitting an online form or leave a message on our automated Roach Line by calling (520) 724-3401.

Online Form
We highly encourage using the online form as the response time will usually be at least 24 hours faster.

CLICK HERE for more information about cockroaches and controlling them.
WATCH FOR MAIL THIEVES
This weekend, a resident who was picking up trash in the Bryant and Bellevue area found mail strewn in the middle of the street from five addresses. Every mailbox on the street was open. The mail has been turned over to the Postal Service and they will document the thefts and re-deliver it. (Photo is of a past mail theft incident in another neighborhood.)

Please be cautious about your mail and make sure that you bring it in from your mailbox as soon as possible. It is NOT safe to leave mail in your mailbox over night. If you are going to be gone, have a neighbor collect it or stop it at the Post Office. If you need to mail something, do NOT leave it in your mailbox for the Postal Carrier. Take it to a USPS collection mailbox. If you are a new tenant and mail for the previous tenant comes and you have no forwarding address, please mark as "Return to Sender", but do not leave in your mailbox at the curb, take it to a USPS collection mailbox.
If your mail is stolen (even if it is only junk mail), report the incident to BOTH police AND the Postal Inspection Service at (877) 876-2455 or go online at

 Just reporting to police is not adequate. Police do not tell the Postal Inspector. The Postal Inspection Service also needs to be notified. They are very aggressive in pursuing mail thieves.
If you see someone checking mailboxes, CALL 911!   Even if the person will be gone by the time police respond, it alerts police to the fact that mail theft is happening in our neighborhood. Once a resident saw a woman walking down the street early one morning opening mailboxes. The woman when confronted said that her "Baby's daddy had left her cell phone in a mailbox, but he didn't tell her which one." Yeah, right. The resident called 911.

Informed Delivery is a service that the United States Postal Service offers to the public. You receive an email each morning and can digitally preview the mail and packages scheduled to be delivered. You see grayscale images of the address side of your letter-size mail and notice of package deliveries. I have been using Informed delivery for a few years and appreciate the security of knowing that I am receiving the mail that I should each day. If I see I am scheduled to receive a new credit card or a birthday card that might have a gift card, then I make sure that I watch for my mail carrier that day and bring in the mail as soon as I can.
ONLINE SURVEY ABOUT A NORTH-SOUTH TRANSIT CORRIDOR


TUCSON NORTE-SUR:
INVESTING IN RESILIENT COMMUNITIES + TRANSIT
ONLINE SURVEY
 
The City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) has launched Tucson Norte-Sur: Investing in Resilient Communities + Transit, the equitable Transit-Oriented Development (eTOD) plan for a north-south transit corridor. The Tucson Norte-Sur is a plan for equity along a transit corridor connecting the Tucson Mall to downtown and the Tucson Airport (see map below).

DTM is seeking public input to determine what the community's vision is for the future of this north-south transit line. 
Take the survey to help DTM understand how riding public transportation could be improved, what type of housing is needed, and what equity looks like in this project area. The information collected will assist DTM in learning the community’s overall vision for the Tucson Norte-Sur Study area. To complete the survey, please visit: https://www.tucsonnorte-sur.com/engage/survey_tools/survey. For assistance with filling out the survey, please leave a voice message at (520) 262-9916, and the city will contact you.

The survey will close on Friday, May 13, 2022.
For more information about the project, upcoming events and interactive map, please visit: www.tucsonnorte-sur.com 

BALLOTS FOR MAIL IN ELECTION FOR PROP 411 HAVE BEEN MAILED
Ballots were mailed May 17 and probably should have received yours by now. Voter information can be found and you can check your Early Voter status registration on the Pima County website.

FROM CITY OF TUCSON NEWSNET:
The Tucson City Clerk's Office is starting to mail ballots to registered voters for the May 17 Special Election for Proposition 411. The City is asking voters to extend the existing temporary half-cent sales tax that was approved by voters in 2017 and expires this year. If passed, the funds generated would be invested to improve every local neighborhood street in Tucson over the next 10 years. It would also fund street safety projects that benefit all users and modes, such as bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, sidewalks, lighting, traffic signal technology, and traffic-calming infrastructure. All pertinent information about the election is available online in "The Choice is Yours" publicity pamphlet linked below. The publication also was mailed to registered voters last week.
PREFER TO VOTE IN PERSON?
On Feb. 15, 2022, the Board of Supervisors authorized the use of Vote Centers for County elections, starting this year with the August primary and November general elections. Vote Centers were authorized by the State Legislature in 2011 and 11 other counties in the state make use of them for their elections, including Maricopa County. They are a departure from the precinct-only voting that has been the norm in the County. Under the precinct system, voters could only cast a ballot on Election Day at the polling place specific to the precinct in which they lived. With Vote Centers, voters can cast a ballot at any County Vote Center, whether it be near their home, their work, their school, or wherever they may happen to be on Election Day. 

Proposed Locations
The Board of Supervisors will set the Vote Center locations at its regular meeting April 19. The linked map below shows the current proposed locations. Proposed Locations Map
DOUBLE SNAP/EBT BENEFITS
MASKS NO LONGER REQUIRED ON PUBLIC TRANSIT IN TUCSON
After the federal mask requirement for transit was voided by a federal judge this week, Sun Tran, Sun Van, Sun Link, and Sun Shuttle are no longer required to enforce mask wearing for riders of the transit system. Although masks are no longer required, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend wearing a mask while using public transit, and it also urges passengers to respect those who choose to continue wearing masks. Passengers can request a mask at one of the transit center information booths.
MEET WITH A BUSINESS NAVIGATOR
Business navigators from the Office of Economic Initiatives began visiting ward offices earlier this month to offer services directly to business owners. Office hours began April 11 at Ward 1 and at Ward 3 on April 14. Ward 5 will hold office hours starting April 27, from 1-4 p.m., continuing on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Ward 2 will begin office hours May 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., continuing on the second Wednesday of the month. Hours at Wards 4 and 6 will be scheduled shortly. Business owners may meet directly with a business navigator to ask questions and receive guidance on topics such as licenses, permits, funding, and more. Navigators assist by connecting business owners with community resources and by helping them develop specific goals and actions to move their business forward.

You may go to any Ward Office to take advantage of the program.
TAKE A SURVEY ABOUT HUMAN AND URBAN WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS
"Are you a resident of Tucson, Arizona? Do you want to contribute to research that will help urbanites safely minimize urban wildlife conflict? Take this 5–20-minute survey to help a local wildlife student collect data about human-wildlife interactions here in Tucson. The survey is anonymous and no personal information is needed.

An Institutional Review Board responsible for human subjects research at The University of Arizona reviewed this research project and found it to be acceptable, according to applicable state and federal regulations and University policies designed to protect the rights and welfare of participants in research.”

Once you start the survey, you do need o complete it or you cannot return.
KIDCO SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASS REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 7
KIDCO SUMMER CAMPS AND CLASS REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 7
Tucson Parks and Recreation is offering a full array of indoor leisure classes and KIDCO camps this summer. Classes range from arts and crafts, Little Movers and Shakers, dance, gymnastics, jewelry making, music, sports, and more for youth and adults. Get active in a health and fitness class, learn digital photography skills, or create beautiful pottery and ceramics pieces. There truly is something for everyone. 
Camp locations and classes are viewable online now, and registration will open on Saturday, May 7, at EZEEreg.com. View the registration information below for times. Timely registration is recommended since offerings fill up quickly. Swim lesson information will be released at a later date. 
REGISTRATION DATES AND TIMES 
KIDCO, In-Betweener's Club, and Jr. Staff in Training 
  • City Residents Online Registration: Saturday, May 7, at 6 a.m. 
  • Non-City Residents Online Registration: Saturday, May 7, at noon  
Leisure and Aquatics Classes, and Therapeutic Recreation 
  • City Residents Online Registration: Saturday, May 7, at 9 a.m. 
  • Non-City Residents Online Registration: Saturday, May 7, at noon  
All Classes and Programs (including Gymnastics II, III, and Therapeutic Recreation/Adaptive Classes) 
  • Call in registration, (520) 791-4877: May 10, at 8 a.m. 
  • Walk-in registration, Registration Services 920 S. Randolph Way: May 12, at 8 a.m. 
The Discount Program is available for camps to those who qualify. Make an appointment at Registration Services prior to registration. For questions or more information on registration, programs, or to set up an account, contact Registration Services at (520) 791-4877.
NEW NUMBER FOR SERVICES AND HELP FOR THE HOMELESS
INFO FROM COUNCILMEMBER KOZACHIK'S 4/11/22 NEWSLETTER:

If you see someone who appears to be unhoused and may be in need of services, please keep this number handy. Unfortunately, it’s not quite yet up and running – May 1st is the ‘go live’ date – and even then, it’ll only be useful from 8am until 5pm, Monday through Friday.

NOTE: That number is NOT for people to call asking to have an encampment moved. That number remains the same: TPD Homeless Outreach Team 520.837.7425

The below number is for offering housing, medical, food, mental health services, etc. assistance to people you see on the street. 
You might want to read Councilmember Kozachik's newsletter to learn more about the options the City is exploring in helping the Homeless population and addressing the issues created by Homelessness.
EL RIO AT GRANT AND DODGE NOW OPEN - GRAND OPENINF MAY 4
NEW PLAYGROUND AT REID PARK
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON NEW PLAYGROUND AT GENE C. REID PARK
Tucson Parks and Recreation will begin construction of the installation of a new playground at Gene C. Reid Park. This playground will replace the playground on the south side of the park, near 22nd Street. A fence will be put up on Monday, April 25. The tentative completion of construction is June 17.
EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC APRIL 30
AFGHAN REFUGEE FUND
Afghan Refugee Fund / Ward 6 and Habitat for Humanity
Over the course of the past few months the community has stepped towards the emerging needs of our Afghan refugee population. You have literally filled the Ward 6 community room with donations and dozens of families have gratefully benefitted.

One partner in this effort since the beginning has been Habitat for Humanity. Through the generosity of the Kimas Foundation, we were able to establish a fund dedicated to the household goods needs of this refugee group at the Habistore. The funds grew to well over $10,000. Many of the Afghan families are finally transitioning from hotel space into housing, and as a result the Habitat fund has been exhausted.
Today Kimas once again opened their heart and restarted the Afghan refugee fund at the Habistore with a $5,000 donation. We’re inviting any who are able to also support the needs of these new Tucson residents by adding to that fund. You may do so either online through this link: https://www.habitattucson.org/refugeefund, or send donations to the Afghan refugee fund to the Habitat Administrative office, 3501 N. Mountain, Tucson – 85719.

Every one of the Afghan refugees suffered significant trauma and loss before, during and since the evacuation that took place last August. The gifts from Kimas, members of this community, and the partnership with Habitat for Humanity all send a welcoming message to the families. Thank you for the donations you’ve made at the Ward 6 office, and thank you for considering support of the Habistore fund.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Looking forward to:

Beginning of May
Grand Opening of a new
Little Free Library
on Bell next to
the Community Garden

Installation of Neighborhood
Identification Signs

Porch Fest 2022 and Plant Swap/Give Away in the Fall

Brush and Bulky Curbside pick up - Aug. 8, 2022
WARD VI NEWSLETTER FROM STEVE KOZACHIK
Read the Ward VI newsletter by clicking here:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/bulletins/313f392

Date: 04/18/2022
Topics in This Issue:
  • Humanizing the Homeless
  • TEP Distribution Lines 
  • Refugees
  • Controlled Homeless Camps 
  •  Plastic Block Project
  •  Prop 411 
  • PFAS 
  • Parks and Recreation Reopening 
  • Meerkat Babies 
  • Agave Heritage Festival 
  • COVID Vaccines

Council Member Steve Kozachik
3202 E 1st Street
Tucson, AZ 85716
Ph: 520.791.4601
SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE SUPPORTED GARDEN DISTRICT
BE SURE TO LET THE BUSINESS KNOW YOU ARE FROM GARDEN DISTRICT AND
WHERE YOU READ ABOUT THEM!
Thank you to the following Garden District businesses for donating to our neighborhood identification signs. We appreciate their partnership and support of our neighborhood. When you visit these businesses, please be sure to tell them you are a Garden District resident and you read about them in our email newsletter.

Tellurian Eco Design: Stephen Monroe
(520) 342 9761
Designing With Nature: Rainwater, Greywater, and Stormwater Harvesting, Passive Solar Landscape Integration, Design+Build, Consultations
Qualify for up to $2000 with City Rebates
The Garden District Dairy Queen coming summer, 2022 at Alvernon and Lee.
1725 N. Swan every day 10-5
letsplay@mildredanddildred.com
Free local delivery our neighborhood: orders $30 or more!
Voted "Best Toy Store" in Tucson Weekly 2021
520.326.9363
3719 E Speedway
Arizona's got the sun.
We've got the skill.
You get the power.
520-207-4053
2130 N Alvernon Way
(520) 303-3945
A Journey into the Spirit of Japan
3959 E. Mabel St.
520.477.9324
1225 N. Catalina Ave.
520-299-1582 TTY 711
Charming, quiet, garden-style "all studio" apartment community with pool
Servicing vehicles of all makes.
4373 E Speedway Blvd
(520)477-0582
Opening of new facility at 4585 E Speedway
expected Spring, 2022
Call Us: (520) 327-4505
FREE WATER HARVESTING CLASSES AND REBATE INFORMATION
Click here for information on $2.000 rebate from Tucson Water for active and passive rainwater harvesting. Also, click here for more info from Pima County.

SIGN A NEIGHBOR UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER
Logo Garden District
Please forward and share this e-newsletter with neighbors. Communication and making connections with each other -- that is what will turn us from a collection of houses and apartments into a neighborhood, from strangers into neighbors. We only have a small portion of the neighborhood on this email list.  
 
To sign up, you can either reply to a newsletter or sign up on our neighborhood website. thegardendistrict.org  

YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY HITTING REPLY TO A NEWSLETTER OR GOING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEBSITE thegardendistrict.org Complete the Online Form.
GARDEN DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
DEPENDS ON YOUR GENEROSITY TO FUND NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS
Garden District Neighborhood Association does not charge dues and has no means other than fundraisers or your generous donations for raising funds for GDNA's many different projects in the neighborhood. We are a registered 501(C)3 for your tax deductible donations.  

Make checks payable to "Garden District" and mail to. 
GDNA
c/o Lois Pawlak
P.O. Box 32384 
Tucson, AZ 85751

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases - at no cost to you.Designate “Garden District” in Tucson as your charity and support your favorite neighborhood!
Garden District Location: Tucson, AZ
Support Garden District at no extra cost when you shop at smile.amazon.com.
Garden District Neighborhood
Association Information
Logo Garden District

AGI (Alvernon/Grant Initiative) Crime Meeting with Tucson Police and  
Neighborhoods and Businesses surrounding Grant and Alvernon 
2nd Tuesday of EVERY month, 6:00PM 
Location and whether in person or Zoom will be announced in this newsletter.

Garden District Neighborhood Association Quarterly Meetings - Time and date will be announced in this newsletter.
President: Lois Pawlak 
Vice President:   Deborah Bicksler
Treasurer: Lisa Maher
Secretary and E-Newsletter:  Meg Johnson

QUADRANT LEADERS:
NW (PIma to Grant, Alvernon to Columbus) - Lois Pawlak 325-7611                      
NE (PIma to Grant, Swan to Columbus) - Juan (JP) Jorquera   981-3746 
SW (Pima to Speedway, Alvernon to Columbus) - Kris Yarter 370-7679 Phyllis Montgomery 248-9915                  
SE (Pima to Speedway, Swan to Columbus) - Judy Ostermeyer 326-1517

YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY HITTING REPLY TO A NEWSLETTER OR GOING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEBSITE thegardendistrict.org AND COMPLETING THE ONLINE FORM.
"TAKE A BOOK. LEAVE A BOOK"
GARDEN DISTRICT'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
Little Free Library NW 1 - Justin and Lester
Little Free Library NW 2 - North St. between Isabel and Marion
Little Free Library SW 1 - Bryant and Fairmount
Little Free Library SW 2 - 4044 E. Pima