SHRP Press Release, May 3, 2021

Save the Heart Of Reid Park announces Press Conference at which Bob Vint, Tucson Architect, and Mark Mayer, Julia Keen Neighborhood Association, present the new Concept “G-minor” and conduct a tour of the proposed area.

Press Conference on May 3rd, 2021 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. followed by on-site tour

Press Conference location: In front of Reid Park Zoo Entrance, 3400 E. Zoo Ct. Tucson, AZ 85713

Tucson, AZ, May 3, 2021 — NEW Zoo Expansion Plan “G- Minor” Emerges As Favorite for Tucson Residents

A plan called “G-Minor” is emerging as the new favorite among neighborhoods and park supporters.

Proponents say the new compromise plan: (1) saves all open space areas of Reid Park west of Lakeshore Lane, (2) allows the Reid Park Zoo to expand north into the city storage yard, and (3) can be accomplished at a fair budget cost comparable to City Manager–preferred option D.

Mark Mayer, Co-Chair of Julia Keen Neighborhood Association originated the idea after participating in one of the Stakeholder Dialogue Circles initiated by Mayor and Council and listening to community members describe what was most important to them. He later reached out to Tucson architect Bob Vint to help design the idea.

“Building on the Community Conversation of April 10, we have designed an alternative that respects the concerns of all Tucsonans. Concept 'G-minor' leaves all existing site features intact and preserves 100% of current green park space. It can be accomplished for a comparable cost to the Manager's recommended Concept 'D' with superior results for all. Our proposal is even more cost-effective, as the existing prefab metal storage buildings can be disassembled and re-erected on another City-owned site, recycling and reusing rather than demolishing this public infrastructure,” said Bob Vint.

Early supporters of G-minor plan include Pam Reid, daughter of Gene C. Reid for whom the park is named. Neighborhood associations Barrio Centro, Sam Hughes, Roberts, San Clemente, Julia Keen, Peter Howell and El Montevideo have already signed on as supporters. Save the Heart of Reid Park, a grassroots coalition of open-space advocates that came together to save Reid Park from the Zoo Expansion also expressed their support.

“It’s a win, win, win,” says Silvia Valdillez, president of the nearby Barrio Centro Neighborhood. “Option ‘G-Minor’ shows accurate prices, keeps the zoo expansion on hardscape, and saves all the Reid Park green space, trees and walking paths. It also avoids putting fences up in Reid Park but still protects the zoo animals from Reid Park noise and smells and vice-versa. Lakeshore Lane is a natural boundary." 

Mayor and Council plan to review the potential options for proceeding at their Tuesday, May 4 Study Session.

Controversy started in late 2020 when Reid Park users said they were blindsided by Zoo plans to begin construction into one of the most popular open space areas of Reid Park—Barnum Hill and the South Duck Pond. After months of protests, Mayor and Council called for a 45-day pause so an intentional, mediated dialogue could occur with stakeholders that was facilitated by The Center for Community Dialogue & Training.

For more information about the above, call 520.475.9660 or email savereidpark@gmail.org.

For full details and a graphic of Concept “G-minor,” see Bob Vint’s A Path Forward on this website.