No Vision and No Resources to Create One
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3/24/2017
Tucson is such a disappointment because it could be so much more. It wants to see itself as the next Austin or Portland but it is not even on par with Tulsa or Topeka. In 2015 Wallethub survey of the largest 150 US cities, it was rated as the least recession recovered. Tucson's roads were considered the worst in the West and some of the worst in the nation. There is also very little code enforcement or money to hire new enforcers so as the recession wore on and on here, neighborhoods just got worse. Most of the city housing stock is in deplorable condition and needs to be bulldozed. It's not even like it's that old or just in bad shape. There's nothing redeemable architecturally or otherwise about most of the housing or buildings here. The city turned a blind eye and allowed anything 'cheap' to go in and now that's what it is left with. There's little reason for many people to keep their property values up because the surrounding areas are still in decay or not worth redeeming. Tucson has become the poor child in the state, maybe in part because of it's proximity to the border and all of the issues with immigration. Perhaps Tucson should be considered a border city and will continued to be plagued by border city problems. What I can see after many years here is that that is no vision, no unifying vision that brings anything together in a way that is sustainable and shows promise. It's hollow talk. I think Tucson has fallen into a state of inertia where it just can't get up and really get going and stay going. It's adrift. Rio Nuevo was an attempt by the city to start tackling problems downtown and go area by area to create a vibrant urban core but when that imploded, they just let things go adrift. There was no Plan B.The politicians and the city will tell you that it's coming back but the comeback is paltry compared to what was lost and what is going on in Phoenix, Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff. Tucson is really falling off the map. If all you want is a cheap place to live in the Southwest, this may do it for you. But if you really want a vibrant scene, you won't find it here.
James | Catalina Foothills, AZ