SEPTEMBER 13, 2025

Tucson's 31st Historic District * Homesteaded February 8, 1898

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September 17 - 6:00 pm

STAR Homeless Project

Ward 3 Residents Are Invited!

STAR Village Community Meeting

Wednesday, Sept 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center 2160 N. 6th Ave, Tucson

Please RSVP to Ward3@tucsonaz.gov or call (520) 791-4711

• The site is 5 blocks west of Jefferson Park. Jefferson Park reached out early to find plans, etc., but we were unable to get any clear information as to permits, specific site plans, or the nature of the operation from any public entity: the Ward III office, PDSD, or the Mayor's office. Lately an outpouring of information has been released. Residents of Balboa Heights filed a petition of over 300 signatures against the project. That petition is at petition on Change.org

The overview provided below by Keeling Neighborhood will help attendees formulate questions before going to the meeting:

What is STAR Village? 

• STAR (Serving Together and Rebuilding) Village is a low-barrier, safe, outdoor sleeping space designed to support women-identified adults experiencing homelessness. The site will host up to 25 people and will be operated in collaboration with community providers and mutual aid organizations.

• This is a pilot program modeled after Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) in Phoenix, Arizona and Camp Hope in Las Cruces, New Mexico — this is an opportunity for Tucson to try something new in addressing homelessness.

• The goal is to provide a safe, stable, and humane environment where individuals can sleep, connect with services, and transition toward permanent housing.

Key points:

• 24/7 On-Site Security

               o The site will be monitored at all times to ensure the safety of both residents and surrounding neighbors.

• Code of conduct

               o Drugs, alcohol, and fires are prohibited. All participants must follow clear behavioral expectations.

• Staffing services

               o Primavera Foundation will provide daily case management.

               o Outreach teams will rotate in and out to connect residents with housing, healthcare, and social services.

               o OPCS management, and Primavera staff will be on site between 6 AM–6 PM to provide ongoing support.

• Referral-Based Entry

               o Individuals cannot walk up to the site.

               o Placement will only be through referrals from service providers.

• Residents will have a designated, supervised place to sleep—removing pressure from camping in public spaces.

• Not Expansion, but Replication

                o This pilot site is not intended to grow in size. Instead, it serves as a model that could be adopted by other services provides, government partners, faith base groups, in other parts of the city if successful.

 • Part of the Housing Continuum

               o STAR Village is one step in Tucson’s broader strategy to expand shelter options across different models, meeting people where they are.

 • A Safer Community for All

               o Research shows that activating spaces with services reduces crime and improves community well-being. By creating STAR Village, we are directly addressing the concerns neighbors have raised while offering a humane solution.

 • STAR Village is about safety, dignity, and community. It balances compassion for people experiencing homelessness with accountability and security for surrounding neighborhoods.

Contact information:

• Primavera o https://primavera.org/star-village/

               o https://primavera.org/volunteer-application-form/

               o Contact for Donations/Questions: ▪ AJ O’Reilly, 520-308-3094 oraoreilly@primavera.org

• Old Pueblo Community Services o https://helptucson.org

September 17

5:30 - 7:30pm

Open House - Mountain Ave Bike Lane Improvements

Ward 3 Community Room

Dept of Transportation: Presentation of plans for safer bike lanes on Mountain Avenue. Join us to learn more about traffic safety improvements coming soon to Mountain Avenue! Visit the project website at bit.ly/mountain-avenue or point your smart phone’s camera at the QR code on the flyer to learn more. ***

Free Tea from Transit Tea! 

September 24 - 6:00 pm - JPNA Meeting (in person)

SPEAKERS: TPD officers and Homeless protocol reps.

TOPIC: Safety and Homelessness in the area - what is being done and what can be done?

Purchase Jim Click Tickets at the meeting

See agenda at: http://www.jeffersonpark.info/jpna-agenda.html

October 22 - 6:00pm JPNA Meeting (in person)

Meet District 5 Supervisor Andres Cano

Purchase Jim Click Tickets at the meeting

The Jim Click Millions for Tucson 2025 edition has begun!  Mr. Click is raffling off three great prizes this year: the Grand Prize is a new 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige (MSRP $54,510).  The second prize is two round-trip, first-class airline tickets to anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply) and the third prize is $5,000 in cash.

One hundred percent of the ticket revenue we collect comes to our neighborhood! You gamble and we all win!

Friends of Jefferson Park, Inc our non-profit. To donate go the the link above

Jefferson Park Assn - Become a paid member:

Pay by check. You will find a form at the link (above) in order to pay by check

or

Pay by Zelle: Instructions for using Zelle.

1.      You will need to have Zelle set up with your bank.

2.      You will need to have your bank app on your phone.

3.      You will need to put Jefferson Park’s Email address in your contacts on your phone: jeffersonparkna31@gmail.com

4.      Once the address is in your contacts on your phone and you have the app on your phone, you can send in your dues or a donation.

5.      Your bank advisor can help you if you are uncertain how it works as each bank app maybe a bit different.

Warren and Lester

Northwest corner of the Banner Park

Another way we communicate! Thanks to nearby neighbors Kathy and Liz who will update information. You can walk the Banner trail and stop by the kiosk to get updates on recent events in the neighborhood.

How did this come to be?

Nearby neighbors volunteered to monitor a kioisk and proposed to JPNA. The funds from the neighborhood non-profit Friends of Jefferson Park, Inc and the JPNA board arranged with metal fabricator J. Butler to create the board.

Funds for these projects come from the Jim Click ticket sales and donations of our neighbors.

Traffic Circle at Edison and Fremont was hit and the metal art upended the week of Aug 18. Reported to 311 and now we await the decision as to who funds the repair.

Damaged circle at Lester and Santa Rita City has removed the damaged sculpture. Next step is to determine who funds the replacement art. It is hoped that this circle can reflect the historic area that surrounds it. It is located at the intersection of several Annie Lester built homes - Jefferson Park's original homesteader.

How are the repairs or replacement of artwork in traffic circles funded?

Jefferson Park is working with the Public Art Program of the Dept. of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) to repair the two existing sculptures in two of the neighborhood traffic circles. Unfortunately, there is a long list of public art pieces that are on the city's list to be repaired, so ours will not be done this fiscal year. We may need to fund the repairs if we want them to be done in the near future.

The destroyed artwork in the third traffic circle at Lester and Santa Rita has been removed by the city, but it remains unclear how its replacement will be funded. At this point it looks like Jefferson Park will need to contribute to the funding, even if we are able to secure a partial grant from the Arts Foundation.

First week in August there was water work in the form of valves and hydrants near north Vine.  This should be the last of the prerequisite water upgrades. 

Demolition and grading started on curbs, sidewalks, and ramps in mid-August. We believe a completed date before Thanksgiving 2025.  (C. Doklan, Traffic Committee) 

Use the button below to see the street projects in Jefferson Park and the City of Tucson

Bottom line - overhead lines are NOT a done deal! They are not good for Jefferson Park!

The neighborhood and Underground Arizona disagree with overheading lines in Jefferson Park. The city still has the ability to prevent overheading as per the U of A Area Plan. The city has not yet approved the substation, nor the overhead lines.

Plan to go before Voters in March

Regional Transportation Authority Board approved the proposal. Election to be held in March. On Sept. 2, the Board of Supervisors approved the measure to go to the voters.



The Plan Includes: Completion of projects originally in the RTA One Plan. That includes Grant Road through Midtown, 22nd Street between Kino Boulevard and I-10, First Avenue between Grant Road and Ina Road, Silverbell Road between Camino del Cerro and Ina Road and Houghton Road between Broadway and Tanque Verde Road. Estimated cost: $262 million.

March 10 election so voters can make the final call.

In March voters will be asked to cast three votes:

• One will allow changes to projects approved as part of the original RTA plan in 2006.
• Another will be to continue the 1/2 cent sales tax.
• The third ballot question will be to approve or deny the list of projects.

[Mike] Ortega, the former Tucson city manager who stepped into the RTA’s driver’s seat in June shortly after the board fired longtime executive director Farhad Moghimi, said the plan balances a lot of needs in the community.

(Tucson Sentinel)

Original Grant Road Widening Plan:

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/city-services/planning-development-services/documents/grant_road_ccv.pdf

Third Saturday of the month. Thank you all who have helped with the clean-ups. Please continue to report any homeless encampments to:

https://reportencampments.tucsonaz.gov/

All garbage bags and tools are supplied and the company is great! We report the hours to Tucson Clean & Beautiful Adopt-A-Park Program. See more information at http://www.jeffersonpark.info/clean-committee.html

Please report any homeless encampment to Homeless Outreach Team - 520.837.7425 or on-line: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/10b590ae4b7e423ca9c02912996620a8

UA student Alyssa will be sharing her study at the September 24 Jefferson Park meeting.

She is seeking research participants. See flyer. Attend the meeting to ask questions or contact her directly.

A permit request has been submitted to demolish this iconic historic Lester home and its adjoining guest house built by Annie Lester, our original homesteader. An important piece of Tucson history is set to fall! Our latest information is that the permit will be granted. Every home that loses its historic status by whatever means endangers the neighborhood historic status. If the neighborhood loses too many homes, the property tax benefit for contributing properties could be in jeopardy.

All cooling centers in the City of Tucson are located along Sun Tran bus routes, ensuring they remain accessible. Pools (on extended summer season) and splash pads are also free in the City of Tucson. Additionally, Pima County has compiled a list of additional cooling stations and locations for water and supplies. For a full list of cooling centers, pool locations. and schedules, follow the links below.

Cooling center locations in the City of Tucson

Pima County heat relief resources

Cooling/respite/hydration centers map and information

Tucson pools and splash pads

$5 Admission Every Friday

On Fridays through September 26, admission to the Gardens is just $5 (free to Members, as always).



Enjoy a summer stroll under the canopy of 100-year-old shade trees, the lush green tones of over 20 specialty garden spaces, and a delicious $5 Friday Root Beer Float at the café. Get Tickets

The Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group (PPSWG) is raising awareness of the free, accessible options for safe medicine disposal that are available right now in Tucson.



The website provides simple, straightforward information on the proper use, storage, and disposal of household medications, along with a locator to help find disposal options near you.

It is a Code Violation to leave furniture and trash at the curb or in the alley. If the resident who left the items there will not properly dispose of their items, you can report it. Contact ​Report Illegal Dumping online at Code Enforcement Violation Report or call (520) 791-5843, Monday-Friday 9:30 AM - 4 PM

OR take a photo and report to 311.

CODE VIOLATIONS IN JEFFERSON PARK - See the 300 latest code violations reported in Jefferson park https://neighborhood.w6iwi.org/cezjefferson.html

100 LATEST POLICE REPORTS IN JEFFERSON PARK - See the 100 latest police activity in the neighborhood by location https://neighborhood.w6iwi.org

JP has a place on the website where you can recommend service providers who did a good job for you and find others as well. If you have a service or business to refer, please contact Colleen cnichols17@cox.net and she will add their information to the list. Please visit http://www.jeffersonpark.info/recommended-services.html

(The list is provided for your information only. Jefferson Park does not endorse any individual or business.)

Jefferson Park MOU stipulates a "fly friendly" path. No flights over Jefferson Park. Report fly-overs. It is quick and easy. Call BUMC Security: 520-694-6533, or

Report online: https://forms.office.com/r/ED7gg3Lszu

MONTHLY REPORT

A medical flight is considered both an arrival and a departure of the same aircraft.

February - Total flights =138 (69 arrivals,69 departures), 32 arrivals non compliant, 19 departures non compliant - 32% flights non-compliant

March - Total flights = 282 (141 arrivals, 141 departures).

42 non compliant arrivals, 28 non-compliant departures - 24.8% flights non-compliant

April - Total flights = 248 (124 arrivals, 124 departures)32 non-compliant arrivals, 28 departures non complaint. 24.19 % non-compliant

July- Total flights=174 (87 arrivals/87 departures) 25 non-compliant arrivals (32%) and 20 non-compliant departures (26%)

August - Total Flights = 176 (88 arrivals, 88 departures)' 19 non-compliant arrivals(21.59%), 12 non-compliant departures (14%) 5 neighbor

Reports for 2024 at http://www.jeffersonpark.info/helicopters---banner.html 

Use this button to download the new Sun Tran booklet of routes, etc.

KNOW WHERE TO THROW - Go to the city webiste for all the details! https://www.knowwheretothrow.com

How to recycle just about anything. Tucson Clean and Beautiful website gives sites and information on everything from batteries to bulbs

ORANGE BAGS/GLASS/ - NEW LOCATION

..Everything else, place in your blue bin

The Ward 6 Recycling Center has moved to 850 S. Randolph Way (just south of Hi Corbett Field).



Items that you WILL be able to drop off to be recycled:

• Plastic in Orange Hefty Bags only.
• Glass
• Food scraps for the FoodCycle compost program -- but you must go through Food/Cycle training program.

Use your own blue bin for for recycling cardboard, paper, aluminum, tin, and plastics #1, #2, and #5.

Blood Drive - UA Cares in Partnership with The Red Cross

Please mark your calendar for the next scheduled blood drive Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the University of Arizona Campus Store located on the Main Campus in the Student Union Memorial Center (1209 E. University Blvd.) from 9:00am-3:00pm. Walk-ins are welcome and we could use your help getting donations into our local hospitals. Please consider donating and join us in celebrating how an hour of your time can provide blood to up to three people here in Southern Arizona. 

**************************************

U of A Neighborhood Hotline to report concerns regarding U of A:

(520) 282-3649   U of A Hotline. It works!

U of A Emergency Alerts

If you are not a university student, employee, or designated campus colleague, you can sign up to receive UAlert notifications by creating a profile or updating your existing profile in Smart911, by selecting the "Create or update your profile" button below. This allows you to receive emergency messages by text or email for U of A locations.

Smart911 is a free service that allows non-university users to receive UAlert emergency notifications by text or email. Users who already have a Smart911 profile should log in through the University of Arizona’s Smart911 link to opt-in to receive UAlert notifications from the U of A.

You can also opt in to receive emergency notifications from other participating local agencies. Create or Update Your Profile

(Karen L Sanson, Office of Government & Community Relations)

LOTS OF WAYS TO RECYCLE AND DONATE TO CHARITIES

BUY NOTHING FACEBOOK PAGE - Post your items on the Buy Nothing Facebook page and share with others.

REALLY, REALLY FREE MARKET at Himmel Park near the tennis courts on the third Saturday of every month. Winter hours 9 -11, Summer 8 - 1.

BRINGING OUT THE BEST THRIFT SHOP on Speedway. Beyond what they can sell, they recycle everything: rags, unusable clothing, old shoes, appliances, etc.  They shred clothing that is no longer wearable and use it as stuffing in dog and cat beds for rescue groups.

TUCSON REPAIR CAFE - check with them first through their Facebook page, but they often accept electronics and appliances, small household items, etc, that can be repaired or be taken apart to use for parts.

SUBURBAN MINERS located one block west of Alvernon. They repurpose and recycle all kinds of electronic equipment. They also accept other household items and have a "Free Store" open to the public. Suburban Miners is located about a mile away on Blacklidge just a block off Alvernon.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: SWS Computers on Speedway, just west of Alvernon quite near us, recycles nearly anything electronic for free.

A few of the many, many wonderful charities where you can make donations: 

• Assistance League on Alvernon between Pima and Speedway. Will pick up large items. https://altucson.org/donate/
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona
• Goodwill
• Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store
• Habitat for Humanity - will pick up large items. https://www.habitattucson.org/habistore/donate-items

(Thank you Garden District E-news)

Roll-offs (for the remainder of the year)

 10-23-25 - 10-27-25

​Located at 4 sites in Jefferson Park

917 E. Seneca,  1822 E. Lester St.,

850 N. Tyndall and 1740 E. Edison

The Environmental and General Services Team wants to support residents following the summer storm damage. Residents can request for a Special Brush & Bulky collection at https://bit.ly/OneCallHaulsItAll. You'll place your materials where you normally set out for brush & bulky pickup and the team will pick up and dispose of your debris, and tree trimmings at the landfill. All for $55! Residents can share the cost with a neighbor as long as it's no more than 10 cubic yards. (from Ward III newsletter)

Jefferson Park: Report any homeless encampments immediately to:

Homeless Encampment Reporting Tool 

https://reportencampments.tucsonaz.gov/  

To report an encampment by phone, please call the City of Tucson Resource Line: (520) 791-2540

For Services & Resources for the Homeless:

Call: 520-791-2540

911 remains your contact for any police related concerns :

• Suspicious activity/persons
• Any thefts
• Any shots fired
• Car theft/damage
• Domestic violence
• Medical assistance
• Fire
• Loud Parties/underage alcohol/dangerous behavior

What do I report to 311? Use it to report any variety of housekeeping concerns. These include potholes, broken play equipment in your pocket park, if your trash pick-up didn’t happen as scheduled, water bill questions, damaged bus stops, parks and streets, debris, illegal dumping, litter, overgrown vegetation and trees, and any other city function that is not an emergency.

There’s also a 311 portal on the City of Tucson website. Use this link to find that: Tucson 311 Service Request Portal and download links 

ABOVE: Little Free library located on Seneca between Warren and Vine.

RIGHT: Kiosk at Lester and Warren in Banner basin area. Cooperative project between Banner and Jefferson Park.

Entrance Signs at Campbell Ave fabricated by neighbor and funded by neighbor donations.

ABOVE: Little Free Library - Vine and Lester

BELOW: Ramada and parklet honoring the UA Polo Team - north end of Warren

RIGHT: Seed Library - Vine and Waverly

BELOW: Park/ Grant Monument Sign declares JP is an Historic District

Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every resident in the City of Tucson,

Make a Plan

Build a Kit

Sign up for Pima County "My Alerts" to receive emergency notifications

Information about preparedness from Ready.gov

Sign Up for Tucson's Climate Action Report!   

You can use this link to subscribe to the Climate Action Report through the City Manager's Office:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZTUCSON/subscriber/new

TPD RESOURCES for JEFFERSON PARK

Westside Police Service Center, 1310 W Miracle Mile, 520-791-4467

TPD OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO JP​

CRO Karla Rubio-Corral #105100

Work: 520-330-9877

Email:Karla.Rubiocorral@tucsonaz.gov

SGT. Matthew Alexander #43116

Email: Matthew.Alexander@tucsonaz.gov

For sharing photos of concerns or to report suspicious activity that is ongoing, contact: Karla.RubioCorral@TucsonAZ.gov

or

CRO Kirsten Hinthorn #101777

Work:(520) 400-1404

Email: Kirsten.Hinthorn@tucsonaz.gov

Jefferson Park has a committee that works with Tucson Planning and Development to assure that work is appropriately permitted and changes stay within the scope of Jefferson Park's Neighborhood Preservation Zone.

E-mail the address and your questions to jpnalanduse@gmail.com

NEED A PERMIT? PDSD launched a Permit Dashboard . The interactive dashboard provides insight into the permitting process. Since the launch, PDSD has consistently met target review times more than 90% of the time.

Ward III is accepting furniture, cooking supplies, etc.—anything that might help someone set up a house. Drop items off at the Ward III office, 1510 E Grant (corner of Grant and Vine). Is the item too big? Give Ward III a call for pickup at (520) 791-4711; they will come, pick it up, and take it to the Wildcat House, where it will help folks who are just getting into housing.

Ward III also has "Slow Down" signs - FOR FREE!

Roaches getting too friendly? Report them!

Roach Control Hotline

Automated line, please provide requested information and staff will return the call

(520) 724-3401

Reporting Roach Activity | Pima County, AZ

https://www.pima.gov/1941/Reporting-Roach-Activity

GRAFFITI

• Report by Phone: (520) 792-CITY (2489).
• Graffiti on bus stops report to Sun Tran customer service at (520) 792-9222.

Give information: Address/cross streets of the graffiti. Graffiti removed only within City limits.

For graffiti, potholes,etc:

SeeClickFix Online

View SeeClickFix Tutorial Video

HELP END DANGEROUS ILLEGAL GATHERINGS

REPORT any time of day, any number of people, if unruly.

1) Loud party calls should go to 911.

2) Additionally, if student-related, contact the UA. Neighborhood Hotline to report concerns at 520-282-3649.

3) Loud music/noise calls may be reported online: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/apps/crime-reporting/



SY 2024-25 STATS

July '24 - June '25: Loud parties: 22; Red Tags: 5 (no data for August and September 2024)

SY 2025-26 STATS

July:

Aug: Loud parties: 3; Red Tags: 1

When to call? Access the red tag info sheet - CLICK HERE

STUDENTS DISTURBING THE PEACE

If at any point your peace is disturbed, report neighborhood loud party/unruly gathering complaints to 911. You may also call the UA Neighborhood Hotline at 520-282-3649. A team from the University’s community relations office and TPD’s Red Tag Unit are available to visit problematic properties to educate students about the City’s Unruly Gathering Ordinance and the UA’s consequences for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

“Neighborhood Watch—A Leader’s Guide To Getting Started” 

• Block Map 
• Neighborhood Watch Sign Application 
• Home Security Booklet 
• “Operation Identification” Information 

Jefferson Park is proud to feature local businesses that support our neighborhood. To place an ad in our E-news, contact jdchama@msn.com. We have 12-15 editions annually, reaching over 350 local residents. Cost of one business card sized image = $120/year

Many thanks to The Prime Leaf for the Grant/Euclid Monument sign

Thanks to North America Powder Coating for the sign stands and DTM traffic for the sign manufacture.

Many thanks to the family of Minette Burges for the Park/Grant monument sign

THANK YOU STARBUCKS at Campbell/Grant for donating to our events! Yummm!

Thanks to our neighbor Carly Quinn, creator of the current two entrance signs.

Thank you Carly. You have made the neighborhood's east side entrance quite lovely. Like her designs? Email: info@carlyquinndesigns.com Phone: (520) 624-4117

See a new neighbor? Alert the representative in your area to let them know to take by a welcome packet!

Every Area Rep would appreciate help distributing doorhangers or taking Welcome Packets to new residents. Contact them via email.

Another newsletter chock full of information!

WARD VI, 520-791-4601

Ward 6 newsletter:

 www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-6/news

District Five Contact Info: Andres Cano

Email: district5@pima.gov, Phone:724-8126

Website: http://www.pima.gov/district5

Community Liaison: Julie Elvick Julie.Elvick@pima.gov

Chief of Staff: Montserrat Caballero,

Special Staff Assistant: Jazlin Ladriere,



Board of Supervisors Meetings:

www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona/ Live meeting broadcast: http://pima.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

Participate in the call to the public: Contact the Clerk of the Board’s Office at (520) 724-8449 Send in a written comment: email COBmail@pima.gov

If you have something that you feel neighbors need to know, please let us know. We want the newsletter to be an information hub for Jefferson Park. Please send your information to Joan Daniels at jdchama@msn.com or to Colleen Nichols at cnichols17@cox.net. Also, if you see an error do not hesitate to contact one of us!!

jdchama@msn.com

cnichols17@cox.net