Spiffing up the Rialto block

In the coming months, that's going to be replaced with new construction and plenty of Downtown chic.

Doug Biggers recently repurchased the rest of the property known as the "Rialto block" and most of the block just west from former partners Yoram Levy, Thomas Warne and Don Semro. The property, which includes everything but the Rialto Theatre itself, was sold last month for $4 million.

Biggers said his former partners "had some doubts" about Downtown redevelopment. With that deal closed, Biggers and project partner Tom Powers, a Tucson architect, are set to invest more than $2 million in a meticulous restoration of the Rialto Building, which includes storefronts along East Congress Street and apartments above the theater. Rehab of the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will conform to federal restoration standards.

The city-owned Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., has undergone a partial restoration already and will likely also see renovations later this year, Biggers said. The City Council approved more than $2.2 million to buy and upgrade the Rialto, including the installation of an air-conditioning system.

Work on the adjacent Rialto Building, including 304 and 320 E. Congress, should begin within two months and finish by the end of the year, Biggers said. He and Powers already have requested permits from the city.

"We've pretty much completed all of the necessary paperwork to move forward," Biggers said. "There had been some work going on, but it had pretty much stalled."

The building's exterior will be restored to historical standards, with wooden doors and window frames and marble base panels.

First-floor retail space also will be refurbished. Biggers said he's in discussion with a local restaurateur to open a bar and restaurant that would act as an anchor tenant, taking up about 3,000 square feet of space on the ground floor. Commercial space on the west end of the building will be restored. A "heavily vegetated" courtyard may be carved out behind the Rialto Building.

On the second floor, 14 apartments will be refurbished with all-new plumbing, electrical appliances and wiring. He said the units, although many are smaller than 1,000 square feet, will be "super-amenitized."

"We think the Rialto block is absolutely critical. We want a quality that kinds of sets a standard," Biggers said.

Donovan Durband, executive director of the Tucson Downtown Alliance, said restoration of the theater is an important part of revitalizing Downtown.

"It makes sense to build from strengths," Durband said. "It's a bit of an eyesore now because of the boarded-up windows. Hopefully, with what the Fox Theatre is creating in this block west of Stone, eventually we can meet in the middle."

There may be an expansion of the concessions area and theater lobby. That may require relocating some bathrooms. Theater offices will be moved upstairs into vacant apartment space.

Biggers said he has focused on the restoration of the theater, but he does have plans for the rest of the block, south of the theater. Although no specific plans have been made, Biggers said the southern end of the Rialto block could become the site of "something cool" that could materialize into a multiple-use building up to 10 stories tall. Biggers said that may include building a new, smaller venue to accompany the Rialto Theatre with residential units on top.

That development may require the relocation of Skrappy's, 201 E. Broadway, a hangout and concert venue for people under age 21. Founded in 1996, Skrappy's is part of Our Family, a social-service agency. Biggers called Skrappy's "an invaluable resource for the constituency it serves."

"We think it deserves a permanent home, and our absolute commitment is to work with Our Family and the city of Tucson to find that home, preferably Downtown," Biggers said. "Given our plans and priorities for the rest of the block, it's a use that isn't compatible. But it's imperative that we work together to resolve the issue to everyone's satisfaction as quickly as possible."

Biggers has been very supportive of Skrappy's and has "made it very clear that we're there until we build our own new home," said Sue Krahe-Eggleston, Our Family executive director.

The block west of the Rialto block may be refurbished in the near future, but those plans are "on hold until we get the Rialto block up and running," Biggers said.