86fc/1243538963-trasoff_postcard.jpgDave Devine has reported on the proposed development agreement that’s being hammered out between the city of Tucson and downtown developers Scott Stiteler and Don Martin, owner of the Rialto block. Details remain sketchy, but the big picture has Stiteler and Martin redeveloping the Rialto block, building apartments in the Toole Avenue warehouse district and making other investments. In exchange, Stiteler and Martin will be able to get their hands on anywhere from $3.5 million to $7 million in downtown property, according to various drafts of the agreement. That could include, according to a draft of the agreement, an old Volvo dealership on Broadway Boulevard east of downtown, the downtown train depot, the Ronstadt Transit Center and a property on Sixth and Toole avenues.

At the same time, developer Jim Campbell—who split from a partnership with Stitiler and Martin earlier this year—is working on his own deal with the city, which involves him building some apartments/condos/retail space on city property east of the Rialto block, with the city building a parking garage.

The developers who are negotiating these deals with the city appear quite supportive of Ward 6 City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff, who has been championing their deals. They’re throwing a fundraiser for her re-election campaign tomorrow night.

This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2009.

Getting hassled by The Man Mild-mannered reporter

6 replies on “Following The Money”

  1. Jim – Just to be clear I have been working with multiple members of the Mayor and Council during the last four years as we intiated the historic Fort Lowell Officer’s Quarters trade, redesigned the Fourth Avenue Underpass and are now completing the project by buying the former Greyhound site for appraised value plus interest. Personally I appreciate the work Nina has done for downtown and without her focus we would be much farther away from seeing the eastern gateway of downtown Tucson completed. As always I appreciate your views and opinion.

    Jim Campbell

  2. Following The Money–“They’re throwing a fundraiser for her re-election campaign tomorrow night.” ( Posted by Jim Nintzel on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 12:17 PM)

    It’s difficult to “follow the money” if Nintzel neglects to disclose in detail the when and where…

    yep, yep, yepo alternative journalism!

  3. Red Star, it’s right there on the invite I posted! It’s at 5 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Tooley’s Cafe, 278 E. Congress St. Sheesh! Do you have an alternative browser that doesn’t display graphics?

  5. Sometimes when I wonder what Red Star sounds like in real life, I imagine he/she sounds like Yoda. Can we get rid of the picture of the toothless guy and put in a picture of Yoda.

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