Guest Opinion

I befriended Chris Early while she was working diligently with the Downtown Partnership. She is also one of the first Tucson members of Local First Arizona. She's a hard working small business owner and a caring member of the downtown community. Here are some of her thoughts as edited by the AZ Daily Star.

Like Chris, I am tired of people placing blame in the wrong place. Let's keep moving forward. Don't get me wrong, I believe in accountability. AND, I believe tax revenue generated in an area should be reinvested in that area. Anyway, I'll let Chris' opinion reign for today.

We must move forward on Downtown plans

By Christina Early

Special to the Arizona Daily Star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.14.2009

I have operated a small business in Downtown Tucson for 6 years. I always wanted to have a business Downtown. I wanted to be part of the revitalization.

I have met other business owners who, like myself, have put their life savings into their businesses, not to mention their hearts and souls. I have sat at meetings discussing the improvements for Downtown streets and sidewalks. I have sent visitors to the reconstructed Presidio, the birthplace of Tucson. I have seen Downtown fill up with citizens of this city for events and parades.

I have seen the plaza in front of my cafe fill up with runners experiencing Downtown at night. I see the families coming Downtown for the museums, parks and even the outdoor movies during the summer. I see the high school kids enjoying the library plaza. There are new restaurants and shops coming into Downtown.

I believe a lot of this is happening because of the possibility of finally being on the right track for the revitalization of Downtown Tucson. It's exciting.

Yet as I attend meetings and discussions, there is almost always someone in the room who is still mad that too much money was spent on consultants. No matter what is planned, it will never erase that sentiment. Those of us in Downtown hoping to make it better will always be punished for the "sins of the father."

The latest example of this is that state legislators in Phoenix are considering canceling Rio Nuevo's tax increment financing district. Some legislators have decided that the money was mishandled. They say they see nothing happening, yet I do not know of any time when they have come to Downtown to have lunch, take in the symphony or enjoy a festival at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.

How can they not understand the ramifications? If they cancel the TIF, all the projects that are so close to getting a shovel in the ground will stop. That will end the possibility of growing our Downtown into a vibrant city center.

If the Downtown projects are canceled, the area's entrepreneurs may see no way to continue running their businesses. There will be no large conventions coming, no arena crowds and no reason to stay in Downtown. Legislators' shortsightedness could eventually cost the state in unemployment for laid-off workers and lost tax revenues. But then again, why should they care about Southern Arizona?

The worst thing of all of this is that Tucsonans who are against the revitalization of Downtown are missing the most important part. If legislators cancel the TIF, all the sales-tax money I collect each month will go to the state's general fund. I wonder where that money will go?

Have you seen Phoenix's Convention Center and arena and stadiums? I wonder what else they could do with our money?

I guess we will find out if we do not come together as a city and demand that we are allowed to have the Downtown we deserve. It is time to forgive our father's sins and move on.

Write to Christina Early at chriscafe1@yahoo.com