INITIAL PROPOSITION 411 PROJECT PLAN APPROVED - The Independent Oversight and Accountability Commission (IOAC) approved an initial project plan for Proposition 411 (Tucson Delivers: Better Streets | Safe Streets), the voter-approved, 10-year half-cent sales tax extension to fund neighborhood street improvements and systemwide street safety projects. An estimated $58 million has been allocated for the initial projects and are anticipated to begin by this spring. The IOAC is an oversight group of citizens appointed to select and prioritize neighborhood street projects and monitor expenditures as directed by voters. Within the 10-year program, every neighborhood street in the city limits will be improved. The estimated sales tax revenue over this 10-year period is projected to be $740 million. Of that estimated funding, 80%, or $590 million, will be dedicated to improving the condition of every neighborhood street in the city (Better Streets); and 20%, or $150 million, will be dedicated to safe street improvements that benefit all users and modes (Safe Streets).

Tucson Delivers: Better Streets | Safe Streets
Read the news release

WARD 1 VECINOS OPEN HOUSES TONIGHT AND SATURDAY - The Ward 1 Office of Council Member Lane Santa Cruz is holding open houses tonight, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 25, for community neighbors to learn about the projects happening in their neighborhoods. Neighbors can also take the opportunity to engage in the Ward 1 Participatory Budgeting Process by stopping by the Budget de la Gente idea submission table and submitting their ideas for how to allocate funds in Ward 1. Tonight’s open house runs from 6-8 p.m. in the Alva Torres Plaza, 151 S. Granada Ave. The open house on Saturday will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Fred Archer Center, 1665 S. La Cholla Blvd. Follow the links below for more information about the events and the Priority Budgeting Process.
Open house information
Participatory Budget Process for Ward 1

TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION CELEBRATES SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF READY, SET, REC! - Tucson’s Mayor and Council and Tucson Parks and Recreation will celebrate two years of “Ready, Set, Rec!,” providing mobile recreation in Tucson. Join the Ready, Set, Rec! Showcase on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. Enjoy family fun, including coloring, origami, fitness, STEM, miniature golf, disc golf, gardening, yard games, and more. Other activities include raffle prizes, food trucks and music. Find a schedule of where the vans will be on the website or follow @readysetrec on Facebook or Instagram. You can find all the links below.
Ready, Set, Rec! website
@Readysetrec on Facebook
@Readysetrec on Instagram
Watch a video about Ready, Set, Rec!

RAINWATER HARVESTING GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM - Eligible families can receive assistance for installing passive and/or active rainwater harvesting systems in their homes. In partnership with the Sonoran Environmental Research Institute (SERI), participants can receive up to $1,000 in grants and $2,000 in zero-interest loans, and SERI will cover the upfront cost of the project. Learn more by following the link below.
SERI loans and grants

TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS STILL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - The annual Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) will be held the weekend of March 4-5 at the University of Arizona. The nonprofit TFOB is dependent on volunteers to stage the festival, with more than 2,000 people giving their time each year to present a friendly and welcoming atmosphere to guests. Opportunities are available to help before, during, and the day after the event (if needed). Follow the links below for more information about TFOB and how you can help.
TFOB volunteer opportunities
TFOB website

REPORT PARK ISSUES USING MOBILE APP - Do you need to report an issue in a City of Tucson park? Download the SeeClickFix app on your phone or report it on the City’s website linked below. With the free SeeClickFix mobile app and web tools, Tucsonans are able to provide Parks and Recreation staff with pictures, specific descriptions, and the details needed to get the job done. In addition, the platform provides requests to be documented in a centralized management system for assured resolution.
SeeClickFix for iPhone
SeeClickFix for Android
SeeClickFix on City's website