San Xavier Mission is an absolutely unique piece of Spanish Colonial architecture. Not just a building, it is remarkably well-preserved late 18th-century built environment. It is a destination for tourists, art lovers, religious pilgrims, and others. It is intricately woven into the cultural fabric of this region, and its picture appears on the Pima County Seal.
I have the privilege of being a member of the Patronato San Xavier, a community-based, non-sectarian, non-profit organization whose duty is to raise money for the preservation of his historic structure, and see that the work is done at the highest possible level. Over the 40-plus years of its existence, the Patronato has raised and spent something in the neighborhood of $11 million on conservation and restoration.
At present we are faced with two major, expensive projects in addition to the never-ending routine maintenance: The east tower is literally starting to crumble in places, and the façade has yet to be cleaned and stabilized.
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We are presented with a stark choice: spend money to maintain San Xavier or let it crumble and fall apart. These repairs are essential for the survival of this iconic building. If we don’t get them going now, they will become even more costly.
The Patronato is engaged in a $3 million fund raising campaign, earmarked for the east tower and the façade. This is just about half of the estimated cost of these two projects. The remaining expenses are included in Proposition 430 of the Pima County Bond election, to be held on November 3. The Patronato is doing its part. It is highly appropriate that the County join in this effort.
And now for the Big Picture. The County Bond Proposal was put together with a lot of public input. It serves the entire county in a number of ways. If passed, Pima County should be a much better place to visit, to live in, and to earn a living in. I urge you to vote for this important series of Propositions on November 3, and let’s get something done that will benefit all of us!
