Your thoughts on the proposed plans at Benedictine monastery

Apr 3, 2018
Apr 3, 2018 Updated Apr 27, 2018

Residents in two historic neighborhoods got the first glimpse of a proposed development at the site of a beloved monastery in central Tucson last week.

Local developer Ross Rulney is proposing two seven-story apartment complexes north and south of the monastery with a smaller structure on the east.

Here's your take on the proposed development.

Want to share your own thoughts? Submit a letter to the editor at tucson.com/opinion/letters/.

Letter: Can monastery area support the density?

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Re: the March 29 article "Plan unveiled for 7-story apartments beside monastery."

I bought a home on Third Street, just east of the Benedictine Monastery, to escape San Francisco density. While I'm loath to lose my beloved western views of this gorgeous building and the palms framing it to a four-story structure to the east and two seven-story structures to the north and south, I'm more loath to see high density dwellings erected in my serene Miramonte neighborhood. Can Central Tucson support such density?

One quick Zillow search for rentals in the surrounding area shows a glut of them. If, as the developer suggests, what he will build will neither house students or seniors, who does he think will live there? Where will they work? I've tried for years to find work in Tucson to no avail. I've tried many times to rent my 2,100-square-foot condo to no avail. Will I not only lose my beloved view, but watch as the developer hastily reduces rents because Central Tucson is already over-built?

Bonnie Thomas

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Developers only see dollar signs

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Re: the March 29 article "Plan unveiled for 7-story apartments beside monastery."

I was horrified by the picture of the Benedictine Monastery project in the Star. The classic Tucson landmark is surrounded by three ugly monstrosities that would look awful anywhere; next to this lovely building their clumsy inelegance is inescapable. I can only guess that the developer and architect only see dollar signs when they look at this rendering and not what is actually shown.

Comments attributed to developer Ross Rulney indicate little room to compromise with neighborhood residents, all in the name of profit. He also threatens to sell to a developer without Tucson ties as though he somehow is more sensitive to community sensibilities, but his drawing and comments suggest otherwise.

Tucson has a sorry history of disregard for historic architectural gems, and it looks like we're about to add yet another sad chapter to that regrettable legacy.

Merle McPheeters

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Monastery sale shows capitalism at work

Updated Apr 27, 2018

To those who wish to see the Benedictine Monastery repurposed for low-income elderly housing or any other socially-sensitive use, you forget we live in a capitalist society. The Benedictine Order needed to sell its property for the most money possible. It was an asset to provide money to see its aging population through their declining years in Clyde, Mo.

The developer paid $5.9 million for six acres of land. The five acres of it which neighbors consider beautiful grounds, he considered "vacant land." City of Tucson land use code encourages infill development to increase tax rolls; open space is not valued.

Unless there is a philanthropist to purchase the property, the best we who live in the area can hope for is that the developer retains Poster Frost Mirto as his architectural firm. The community can be assured that it will respect the integrity of the historic site as it too makes money on the project.

Ruth Beeker

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Closed monastery offers an opportunity

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Rather than building another ugly student housing complex which would destroy the integrity of another older neighborhood, I would like to see the buildings at the Benedictine Monastery converted into apartments for the low-income elderly to live in. These people deserve to live in a safe environment, seven minutes away from the nearest emergency room, easily accessible for first responders.

What a wonderful opportunity for students in the medical/health fields to provide medical clinic with weekly/daily checkups, nutritional students could provide meals, local pet rescues could visit with adorable pets to provide therapy. The worship area could include all faiths and in the gardens, vegetables could be grown and residents can walk safely. We do not need another student residence for students to practice their bottle throwing skills, make noise and add nothing to the value of the neighborhood.

Gale Odion

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Didn't we learn our lesson?

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Re: the March 11 article "Owner wants luxury units on site of former monastery."

One would hope Tucson learned its lesson with the mindless destruction of the glorious El Conquistador Hotel and would never allow the beautiful Benedictine monastery to be sacrificed for more student housing.

Kinne Tevis

West side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: Historic Architecture: Benedictine Nunery

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Re: the March 11 article "Owner wants luxury units on site of former monastery."

Here's another sacrifice of Southwest historic architecture to the bulldozer to make way for generic apartment buildings. Why would tourists come to Tucson just to see more of the same? I have lived in Tucson during the destruction of Meyer Street, the "Old Pueblo"and the wrecking ball finishing off the El Con Hotel to make way for a mall. Maybe the Tohono O'odham could make lots of money by bulldozing San Xavier and put up a casino!

Robert White

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: No apartments on monastery grounds

Updated Apr 27, 2018

Re: the March 11 article "Owner wants luxury units on site of former monastery."

I was surprised to read that luxury apartments are slated to be built on the recently sold grounds of the former Benedictine monastery. Those grounds were procured for spiritual purposes. They were nurtured and maintained for decades by the work of a hundred sisters. And they have been supported and repaired with the donations of many Tucson participants in this spiritual gem in Tucson's midst.

Luxury apartments for either the general populace or for wealthy students was not in the minds of those who have prayed and worked at the grounds where the monastery and chapel sit. This profane use of a spiritual spot should not happen. Generations over the past 80 years have contributed to the spiritual depth of that bit of Tucson ground, and it would behoove us to continue to keep it for its intended purpose.

Mike Sepich

Midtown

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.

Letter: A win-win proposal in monastery

Updated Apr 27, 2018

There is great concern in Tucson about the future of the Benedictine Monastery at 800 North Country Club Road. Here is a solution that can be a win-win: The new owner can rent the building on a long-term lease to TUSD as a new home for University High School.

A high school would be a respectful use of the former monastery. At the same time, it would be a graceful conclusion to the proposal that Catalina High students be expelled to the Rincon High campus, while UHS students would claim the Catalina campus. The Benedictine sisters would be pleased that their beloved home created a solution for many of Tucson's fine young people.

Debbie Collazo

West side

Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.