Have you ever found yourself fantasizing about how you would spend the money if you won one of those mega-lotteries?
Of course, we all have. Especially when there are breathtaking media announcements detailing the amount of money to be won. As usually happens, however, someone reminds us that, if we do win, what the tax liabilities on those winnings will be and our actual net proceeds. Add to that the friends, relatives, and other folks who chime in with fun and exciting ways to spend the money and investment ideas. We are then brought back to earth.
In many ways, the sale of the 290 acres of county-owned land just north of the Pima County Fairgrounds resembles winning the lottery. This land has been sitting there producing nothing, servicing nothing, providing nothing, and contributing nothing to our county’s property tax base or populace. No great paying jobs have been created and no income has streamed from it into any Pima County projects or its general fund.
Fast forward, without relitigating past events, and the sale of that property has closed and the county now finds itself with an almost $21 million lottery (like) winning ticket. Let the spending fantasies begin! Throughout Pima County, everyone from residents to elected officials are opining as to how that $21 million should be spent.
The irony of this should not be lost on us. A number of people who were against the sale of the property and rejected its annexation into the City of Tucson are now making unsolicited suggestions as to how, where, when, and why the county’s sale proceeds should be spent. The unfortunate part is that this causes unrealistic hopes and expectations that could raise the specter of past controversy and divisiveness.
A case in point – Esmond Station Regional Park. Our southeast region, as we all know, is vastly underserved, lacking viable and substantial Parks and Recreations facilities. Edmond Station Regional Park has been a long-wished-for dream for decades, and a greatly needed one at that.
Here is the irony. While the Esmond Station Regional Park land is owned by Pima County, it is located entirely within Tucson’s city limits. Sadly, the city has been silent and unavailable in contributing anything toward the creation of Esmond Station Regional Park.
The City of Tucson had the opportunity to annex the county’s 290 acres into the city, reaping the benefit of the associated taxes, along with the multi-million-dollar investment in infrastructure offered by the developer. However, the City of Tucson turned down the entire annexation package and forfeited the proceeds it would bring with it. Perhaps some of this additional revenue could have contributed to the creation of Esmond Station Regional Park.
Now, the same folks who rejected the development package are trying to insert themselves in determining how the monies from the county land sale will be spent, much like the lottery scenario.
This leads us to the “back to earth” lottery reality. There is a set process in place as to how the $21 million sale proceeds will be spent throughout the county and its five supervisorial districts. Each district will receive a share of the proceeds.
So, before we begin planning our wish lists, we need to stop jumping to conclusions and let the process and protocols unfold. Obviously, your District 4 office has been advocating front and center and will continue to do so.
I can tell you that there are some intensive talks and plans in the works regarding Esmond Station Regional Park. They are in the formative and preliminary stages but are promising to be very exciting and comprehensive. Obviously, it is too soon to be discussing them as there are many moving parts. Here again, your District 4 team has a seat at the table and continues to be actively engaged. The details will be forthcoming.
On another note, I had the honor of marching in the “dignitary” section of the parade opening of the always terrific Vail Pride Day at the Pima County Fairgrounds last month, accompanied by members of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Escorting me was Andrada Cadet Lt. Isaac Kusch. He was an impressive young man and I was proud to march with him. Plus, he informed me that he was a recipient of a six-figure NROTC national scholarship award. How impressive is that! Congratulations, Isaac.
Joining me was our other District 4 team dignitary, Southeast Region Representative Erin Johnson, who was escorted by none other than her very own daughter, Cienega Cadet Commander Ella Johnson. Ella was equally as impressive and both students are wonderful representatives of our community and make us all very proud and thankful for their service!
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov
