Tucson Mayor Regina Romero is calling for “an immediate pause” to Reid Park Zoo’s planned expansion that would take over the South Pond and Barnum Hill area.
The controversial zoo expansion was to begin this month. But Romero said the community outcry after the plans were unveiled has led her to believe more time is needed to reach a compromise.
“It has become clear to me that resolution to this issue is not on the horizon,” Romero said in a release Wednesday.
When the zoo announced that its plans would include taking over the pond, opposition was fierce. Many residents were upset that the pond, trees and open area just west of the zoo would be gone.
But the plan has supporters as well. Romero said she “also heard from community members, who value the educational and recreational opportunities that our Zoo provides to our community.”
“As someone who has been an outspoken proponent for open and accessible green spaces, as well as a mom who enjoys taking her children to the Zoo, I recognize the complexity of this issue.”
As a result, Romero wants those involved to take more time to reach an agreement.
“I am calling for an immediate pause on this project and asking the Zoological Society, City administration and community stakeholders to come to the table in order to find a solution that works for all,” she said in the release. “At the end of the day, we all want beautiful open spaces available to everyone in our community AND we want an amazing zoo.”
This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 3, 2021.
This issue aside, Phoenix area now has fifteen major league baseball teams involved in spring training. This brings hundreds of millions into their valley each year.
Is it possible that our Mayor could find a way to attract two teams to Tucson seeing as how we have two of the best baseball facilities in the state?
Mayor, this could mean jobs for hundreds as well as increases to our sales tax revenue base through car rentals, restaurants and hotels.
Please do something good for Tucsonans. It is long over due.
Strike Three. The spoiled children of Spring Training were upset that there was no “fun things” for them to do in the off hours such as high-end bars and very high-end woman for a fee. Spring training will never return to Tucson.
That’s not true. The Mayor and Council never delivered on promises and jacked up lease. They walked.