TUCSON – A protest over a south side housing development project was cancelled after a group of community members met with Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz privately to discuss their concerns about the affordability of the project.
The protest was supposed to take place on March 4, right before a co-developer public forum, where two developers presented their tentative plans for the land, which included 300-340 housing units, complete with various plans like a community market, a dedicated after-school tutoring program, community centers, picnic areas, a walkable greenway and multifamily housing with rent-to-own opportunities.
The development has faced pushback at every step of the way, despite the city’s efforts to engage the community in the planning process. Barrio residents in the area have had concerns ranging from environmental issues to property taxes and general distrust of city officials. As the need for housing increases, the city will have to reckon with decades of mistrust from barrio communities who feel like their neighborhoods have time and again been condemned, razed and led to displacement without them having a say in it…