With Tucson essentially making new dirt on the northern edge of Downtown, a group of investors wants to build on top of it.
Skylight Productions LLC wants to buy land freed up by the planned realignment of North Oracle Road and West Drachman Street to build a six-story commercial development. The development would feature retail, restaurant and office space on the first two stories and condominiums on the other floors.
The structure would include a parking garage and a "park-like interior courtyard," according to city documents.
On Wednesday, the City Council will consider selling the property to Skylight — whose members include Chip Piqué, president of Old Master Construction Corp., and Susan Hurford of Laguna Beach, Calif. — for $235,350. The price is based on an independent appraisal of the property.
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Although early discussions have included talk of everything from building around 60 loft-style condominiums to having live flamingos and koi ponds in the plaza, details have yet to be finalized, Piqué said.
"We don't have all the financing in place yet. I'm a general contractor, but I don't build at this scale. We would be hiring somebody to build it," Piqué said.
The whole project would be "more than $3 million" but "less than $20 million, I hope," Piqué said. Combined with several adjacent parcels that Skylight already owns, the project would take up about 2.5 acres. Developers are also asking the city to create a planned area development at the site, which normally requires 40 acres of land.
Piqué said he wants to begin the design process with help from the University of Arizona's School of Architecture and wants to use as much talent from Tucson as possible.
The proposal is enjoying support from neighborhood leaders and Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, who say the investment of private money will spur more redevelopment in the area. Construction on the intersection would begin sometime in March after the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, Uhlich said.
"It's really at a critical portal north. That intersection has always been a bit of a challenge. It's been a real divider between neighborhoods," Uhlich said.
Overall, people who live and work in the area are supportive of the project, said Nick Bradley, president of the Ocotillo/Oracle Boulevard Neighborhood and Merchant Association and owner of Bradley's Upholstery, 248 W. Lester St.
"It probably won't do anything for my business. What it will do is bring the neighborhood up a notch," Bradley said.
Piqué's development should be the first of several improvements in the area, said Art Tomlinson, general manager of the Arizona Plaza Hotel, 1601 N. Oracle Road. The hotel, for example, is planning a $6 million redevelopment that would turn it into a "student hotel" that would function as student dorms. Pima Community College has expansion plans in the area, and others are investing time and money in their commercial properties.
"You can bring great, old neighborhoods and bring them back to life," Tomlinson said.
"When other investors see something concrete is happening, I'm sure it will bring other people to the table."
l What: A six-story commercial/residential structure
l Who: Skylight Productions LLC, whose members include Chip Piqué and Susan Hurford
l When: Construction scheduled for March 2006
l Where: Northeast corner of North Oracle Road and West Drachman Street.
l How much: The land is tentatively priced at $235,350; more than $3 million to build the project