The Pascua Yaqui Tribe will begin construction this month on a $9.6 million housing development of 27 townhomes on the southwest side reservation to create much needed affordable housing.
Construction is set to start in several weeks, and the development is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023, said Keith Gregory, director of housing for the tribe. The project is expected to employ up to 200 workers, mostly in construction.
βThis is the second phase of our master plan subdivision. The first phase launched in January 2021 and should be finished in October with 50 units of single family housing,β Gregory said. βThis is the largest project on tribal lands in the country using low-income housing tax credit,β he said.
In the townhomes development, the tribe received a low-income housing tax credit award from the Arizona Department of Housing that generated over $8.3 million in investor equity from Red Stone Equity Partners for the subdivision, officials said.
We are sharing Arizona Daily Star reporters' and photographers' favorite work from 2021.
The new development is the tribeβs eighth low-income housing tax credit project and will build three four-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom townhomes with an attached garage and 12 two-bedroom townhomes. The new townhomes will have a rooftop terrace, outdoor patio space, unique oversized window frames, stucco siding, metal roofs and wood canopies. It will feature a Desert Modern design, states a news release.
Travois Design, the project architect, incorporated several green building techniques in the design to help lower energy use and costs. Each townhome will include energy-efficient insulation, appliances and windows and doors.
Under the tax credit compliance period, the units are rentals for 15 years, and then families have an opportunity to buy the house, Gregory said. He said the tribe manages βjust shy of 700 units, and 270 have been built using the tax credit mechanism.β
βWe have 1,100 families on a waiting list needing housing. The families currently live throughout Tucson and the Phoenix metro areas and will return to the reservation once housing is available,β Gregory said.
Pascua Yaqui Chairman Peter Yucupicio said there is excitement about the development and tribal leaders continue to look at different ways to help Yaqui communities so that members have a better quality of life.
βWe continue marching forward,β he said, continuing to look at federal and private entities for funding of housing developments.
βAs a tribe we are always excited to launch new affordable housing developments. However, this one is special in that it represents the creation of an entirely new class of housing on our reservation,β said Gregory. βFor the first time ever, we are able to offer housing diversity that will hopefully fuel future development creativity in tribal housing while simultaneously providing critical affordable housing for our tribal members.β
What's new, Tucson?: 20 people, places and things welcomed in 2021
From dozens of restaurants and bars opening to a zebra being born at Reid Park Zoo, we are looking back at some of the new additions Tucson saw this year.
This is not a complete list, as the Old Pueblo continues to welcome new attractions as 2021 ends.
Here are some highlights of the newest Tucson art, animals, leaders, businesses and events since we last said "happy New Year":
A new Tucson club, 17th Street Music Club, gives local artists a place to gather with other musicians and small audiences for intimate unplugged shows.
This new Tucson toy shop has all the things you played with as a childFor Star subscribers: You can find vintage toys by the thousands at Those Wonderful Toys on North Oracle Road in Tucson.Β
These new restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks and bars opened their doors in 2021. If you're looking for a new place to grab some grub or d…
Lady Haha Open Mic for Women & LGBTQ+ gives women and queer comedians a stage where they can safely be themselves.Β
"We are filling the void in Latin pop and reggaeton," saidΒ General Manager Patty Ruiz, who added that the station attracts a younger demographic.
For Star subscribers: A new Tucson festival pairs rock and country music acts with a Margarita Village and Taco Row.
Joaquin, an 18-year-old Andean bear, is back at Reid Park Zoo after being born there in 2002.Β
The zebra colt was born in late September 2021 to Anna, a Grevy's zebra at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson.
The galleries at East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue have joined forces.Β
βHamiltonβ live on stage far surpasses the filmed version of the Broadway production thatβs been running on Disney+.
New Tucson apartments are commanding rents up to $3K and feature a movie theater, a two-story gym and a rooftop deck.
The Refinery, the University of Arizonaβs first building at The Bridges development on Tucson's south side, nearsΒ completion.
For Star subscribers:Β Nearly 200 rentals are opening for Tucsonans in need, but it's a fraction of the demand for affordable housing across Arizona.
The UA, through a partnership with the food delivery app GrubHub and Arizona Student Unions, launched a new food delivery service that relies on robots to get the job done.
The City of Tucson bought a former nunnery on the west side to house the homeless for up to 90 days or until permanent housing is found.
The inauguration inducted Tucson's newest council member Kevin Dahl.Β Β Council member Lane Santa Cruz was appointed to serve as Tucsonβs new vice mayor for the next year.
Kasmar said the Tucson Police Department will focus on violent crimes in the new year, but will also step up traffic enforcement, which previous chief Chris Magnus let up on due to a shortage of officers.
The "diverging diamond" interchange can handle a higher volume of traffic.
Pagac mural
A biker rides past the critters taking a ride of their own in the latest Joe Pagac and team mural at Alameda Street and Court Avenue in downto…
La Chaiteria mural
Alejandra Trujillo completed this mural on the wall of La Chaiteria,Β 1002 W. Congress St., in June 2021.
