DSNA Meeting Minutes: August 2025

Call to Order: 7:01pm

Attendance/Introduction Question: Christy Stewart, Geovanna Proto(Centro Barrio Development), Thomas Stellini, Sean Wilcox, Aliyah Cardenas (Ward 1 Representative), Sky Jacobs, Dustin Daley, Karen Greene, Kiana Necoechea, Jacob Hardy, Jazlin Ladriere (District 5 Representative), Victor (Centro Barrio Development)

Changes/Approval to Previous Month’s Minutes: Approved

Treasurer’s report: $520.77

Change: No Changes

Announcements (External and Internal)

Ward One Glasses Grant - Karen worked to get awarded a $10,000 grant to help individuals get glasses in Ward 1. Individuals will be able to get screened and two pair of glasses for $10. More information coming this Fall.

Neighborhood Cleanup - Thomas gave an update that we have two neighborhood cleanups coming, one in September in partnership with Tucson Team up to Cleanup and one in October in partnership with Cyclovia. Thomas is working with the teams to be strategic about the areas getting cleaned and to ensure we cover as much as the neighborhood as possible.

Downtown Links Update - Thomas reached out to David Burbank and received an update that Lumen’s work has been completed as of August 4th. The rest of the project is moving forward.

PEEPS Funding - Karen raised concerns about the city of Tucson cutting funding for PEEPS (preschool funding) and the proposal to allocate library funds to cover the shortfall. The shortfall was about 400-500k which would impact about 48 children not getting scholarship funds. Jazlin updated that Supervisor Cano proposed they reallocate library contingency funds to fund the shortfall. The proposal was passed by the board of supervisors today.

Google Group/Listserv Spam - Sky updated on steps he’s taking to address the recent spam to our listserv. Any new person that joins our group will need to go through an approval before being allowed to join which will include being screened by Sky before they are allowed to post. In addition to that, Sky is also going to moderate posts from any new users for the first little while to make sure no spam slipped through.

Discussion

Central Barrio Development - 941 and 933 Stone Ave Progress Report + Q & A Central Barrio is an adaptive reuse and urban infill small project company. This project is 18 units with a small coffee shop. They are almost finished with all the plans and consultants and are finished with permitting of construction documents and development package. The adaptive reuse portion for the building previously owned by Sahara Apartments is still in process. For landscaping they have been in touch with two of our recommendations, Ecoscapes and Desert Living. Ground breaking is expected to start around Mid-October.

Reports From The Field

A. DNARC (Downtown Neighborhoods and Residents Committee) - No Update

B. Downtown Links - See previous update

C. Dunbar Coalition - No Updates

D. HFAC (Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition) - No Updates

E. Stone/Speedway - No Updates

F. 11th Ave/1st st housing project - City planner joining the next meeting in September to provide us an update

G. WAMO (Warehouse Arts Management Organization) - Sean provided us with a brief update on what plans WAMO has with the Citizen’s Warehouse. WAMO had a tour of the building recently and are looking at doing a landswap with ADOT. The building will need renovation to get it back to a live/work space and be safe for people to be in it. The city of Tucson seemed interested in helping WAMO get the building and preserve it but there are no guarantees right now and everyone is working hard and on the right path to making it happen.

For The Good Of The Cause - Future Topics: No Topics

Adjourn: 7:34pm