FEBRUARY 12, 2026

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

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February Meetings

Many thanks to all the neighbors who renewed their memberships. Your donations support JP projects! Welcome new members!

JEFFERSON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

February 25, 2026

5:00 pm- Meeting with TPD - Linear Park Concerns

5:30pm- Visit with Neighbors

6:00 pm - Regular Neighborhood Meeting

Ward III Community Room - 1510 E Grant Rd

SPEAKERS: Kristian Watkins, Banner Parking Garage

Jonathan Courtney, Ward III status of the IST playground

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

Green Workshop

March 7th - 8:00am to 11:00am

On Vine from Grant to Lester

Banner Proposed Parking Garage: An addition is due to start sometime in the second quarter of 2026. Banner will publish contact numbers and will periodically attend JPNA meetings to keep neighbors informed. Projected update about the garage: February 25, 2026 JPNA meeting.

Have you see the beautiful new mural that adorns the wall of the Diamond Children's Center emergency room at Banner UMC? It faces the Ring Road.

Artist Camila Ibarra and Banner "wanted to create a whimsical and playful mural that engages children, youth and adults. We added desert animals as Easter eggs.The hummingbird is a spiritual messenger representing healing and hope. The artist worked with the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui to have accurate representation." Residents from surrounding neighborhoods helped with some of the painting. Next time you are in the area, be sure to drop by and enjoy the mural.

To see the entire scope of the committee's work, the upcoming clean up events and some special city requirements about your yard, see:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uSR67wIw0MZBndWq4wynx78KAviw-ff-gsInYLwWcN0/edit?tab=t.0

This sign has been erected in the Linear Park along Park.

Some folks are confused by these signs. TEP does have permission to run its route through the city and through Jefferson Park to Grant Road. The question is, will the lines be overhead or underground?

The Zoning Examiner will have the opportunity, in his consideration of the substation, to require that TEP underground lines in the area covered by the plan that includes our neighborhood, the University Area Plan.

City of Tucson Zoning Examiner, Jim Mazzocco,decided to continue the hearing for the Vine substation until this next Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 6pm, to gather more information. Se a video of examiner comments - Video of closing remarks here.

To rule in favor of TEP, the Zoning Examiner has to find that TEP's project complies with city and area plans; it clearly does not, according to the prior decisions and a plain reading of the law.

There is a lot of data that shows the cost is insignificant. However, beyond that, TEP's franchise agreement says cost cannot be a factor in complying with local laws. Long-term, underground lines save money on maintenance, repairs, and liability and can lead to an overall savings to ratepayers over their life.

(Thank you to Underground Coalition and Underground Arizona for their advocacy on this issue)

The JPNA Annual Meeting in January brought out neighbors who live near to, or whose homes border the linear park. They reported encampments, drug use, and expressed ongoing concerns for safety.

Tucson Police Department want you to know that they are available. Officer Franco's team visits the linear park on a regular basis.

PLEASE report any folks camping, etc. Report twice, once to 311, and then to:

Officer Nicholas Franco

Nicholas.Franco@tucsonaz.gov

CS Officer Karla Rubio-Corral, 520-330-9877

Karla.Rubiocorral@tucsonaz.gov

** If you believe a crime is being committed, such as drug sales, or it's a safety issue, such as fires being set, please call 911.**

Another interesting link is the 100 police incident reports for Jefferson Park https://neighborhood.w6iwi.org

PROPOSITION

418 and 419

Two questions will be on the ballot for Pima County voter consideration:

• Proposition 418: asks voters to approve a new regional transportation plan (RTA Next).
• Proposition 419: asks for a sales tax to go toward regional transportation County.

• If both propositions are approved, you will continue to pay the same in taxes since the current tax is replaced with the new funding.
• Both ballot items must be approved for the regional transportation plan to be implemented over the next 20 years with initial projects starting during the first year of the plan. The new plan would go into effect on April 1, 2026

GRANT ROAD between Alvernon and Fremont is part of this plan. Jefferson Park's northern border now suffers from 5 blocks of traffic back-up. The plan includes greenspace on the north and south sides of Grant, similar to the Linear Park the neighborhood advocated for from Santa Rita to Hampton. The Grant Road project is relying on the passage of Props 418 and 419.

Three major apartment projects announced in the past year near the University of Arizona have been canceled or postponed. For the first time in 10 years, no new student housing projects have been scheduled in Tucson.

Palm Shadows, on the northwest corner of Campbell and Speedway, was supposed to have been demolished to make way for a new 19-story high-rise, which would have included student housing and some retail on the ground floors. This is one of the projects that has been canceled. There is no news yet regarding what is planned for that area.

BRUSH and BULKY - at the curb in 2026

March 2, 2026  

Everything must be out by Monday at 6:00AM.

Place your weeds, bulky trash, old appliances, etc., at the curb (see link below for acceptable and unacceptable items). Please do not block mailboxes, driveways, streets, utility meters, fire hydrants, and sidewalks.

For more information about Brush and Bulky, 

https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Environmental-Services/Residential-Services/Brush-and-Bulky

March 26 - 30 May 28 - June 1

July 30 - Aug 3 October 22-26

Located at 4 sites in Jefferson Park:

917 E. Seneca,  1822 E. Lester St., 850 N. Tyndall and 1740 E. Edison. Containers delivered on Thursdays / picked upon Mondays.

If you use the International School playground after hours or on the weekends, you have found that it is locked and inaccessible with "No Trespassing" signs. The school was informed that it is no longer a City of Tucson Schoolyard Park; they had no prior warning. Due to liability concerns, the area is locked until further notice.

The school team and JPNA certainly want the playground to remain a public place to be enjoyed by neighbors, and we are working towards that goal.

Ward 3 and Parks and Rec met last week to discuss the issues. We await the results. The neighborhood and the school look forward to meeting with the city and Parks and Rec.

Jefferson Park is a Historic District and also has an additional overlay, an NPZ (Neighborhood Preservation Zone). As such, the neighborhood has a few extra protections against non-compatible construction. We also have a Land Use Committee that reviews plans.

1177 E Lester, one of the large houses built in 1918 by homesteader, Annie Stattelman Lester, has been allowed to fall into a sad state of disrepair. This once lovely piece of history is due to be demolished in the very near future.

If you observe any construction in JPNA that seems questionable, or if you have concerns, please reach out to:

jpnalanduse@gmail.com

or

JPNAtucson@jeffersonpark.info

If you are considering remodeling or building in the neighborhood, please see the Jefferson Park website: http://www.jeffersonpark.info/buildinghistoric-status.html

Customize your conservation!



Tucson Water customers can order a FREE kit by visiting

www.eeexchange.org/twconserve

#conservation #responsiblesonorandesertdweller #wateruseitwisely



If you live in Jefferson Park, there should be no helicopters bound for Banner Hospital over your house. Jefferson Park has an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that all helicopters must enter and leave south of the hospital.

Place this number in your phone and just call that number-it is quick and easy and helps inform Banner.

Call BUMC Security: 520-694-6533, just give location of helicopter-no need to give your name

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

Join us on the third Saturday of the month to clean up the Edison Parklet (north end of Frontage Road at Edison, off Campbell).

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

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

https://reportencampments.tucsonaz.gov/

News from U of A

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

(520) 282-3649 U of A Hotline.

U of A Emergency Alerts Register for UAlert messages at UAlert Services. You can add your contact information to receive text and email messages. For information regarding Office of Public Safety, including the Campus Incidents Page.

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

LOCAL RESOURCES

Tucson Water Landscape Resources – Watering guides, rebates, and drought-tolerant plant lists

Trees for Tucson – Low-cost trees 

The Seed Library - Free seeds available at Pima County libraries. Martha Cooper is our closest library.

Master Gardeners - Free classes, information, plus free advice! You can email your questions or ask in-person.

Thanks to our neighbors at North Dodge, Sam Hughes, and Cabrini for this helpful information!

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

Lend A Hand really needs more volunteers, especially to provide rides for clients to medical appointments and assist with other necessities. Even if a volunteer can only provide one ride a month, that would help! If interested, please see the website for information: https://www.lahseniorhelp.org/ 

STARVillageinfo@primavera.org

STAR Program Manager (concerns/grievances):

520-603-7050

Donations Needed: STAR Village Safe Sleeping Site

The City of Tucson, in partnership with local nonprofits, launched the STAR Village pilot program; a safe outdoor sleeping space designed to support individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. This community driven initiative, Serving Together and Rebuilding (STAR), will provide space for up to 25 participants at a time. The site will be continuously staffed to ensure safety and will also include access to on-site social services and medical assistance, helping participants move toward more stable housing. The site is located at 244 E. Grant Road in Ward 3. City staff are working with nearby residents and businesses to ensure a smooth launch. In addition, the program will incorporate the City’s Homeless Work Program and voluntary efforts from participants to help keep the site and surrounding area clean. Funding for STAR Village will come from a mix of Mayor and Council office budgets, local nonprofits, and private fundraising but community support is vital. Help support STAR Village at Primavera.org

Read the news release 

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.

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

September - Total flights =101 (101 arrivals, 101departures), 28 non-compliant arrivals, 9 departures noncompliant - Eight neighbor reports.

Reports for 2024 and 2025 at http://www.jeffersonpark.info/helicopters---banner.html 

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

ONLY 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.

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 in good condition.

https://www.habitattucson.org/habistore/donate-items

(Thank you Garden District E-news)

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)

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

HOMELESS REPORTING

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

What do I report to 311? Use it to report any variety of housekeeping concerns. Any city function that is not an emergency.

i.e. messes in park, graffitti, water leaks in park...

311 will forward to appropriate entity.

There’s 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 created by our talented neighbor and well known artist, Carly Quinn.

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

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.

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.

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!

Miranda Schubert, 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: Arianna Martinez Reyna



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