Updates from the Warehouse Arts District

The Warehouse Arts Management Organization a.k.a. WAMO is bringing together and assisting artists and business owners to build an arts district from the ground up, literally. The group plays a key role in keeping City leaders focused on the Tucson Historic Warehouse Arts District Master Plan [13MB PDF download] adopted by Mayor and Council in 2004.  WAMO’s persistence has recently resulted in the City acquiring three district properties—the Steinfeld Warehouse, Skrappy’s, and the Toole Shed via a land swap with ADOT.  The three land parcels will remain City property, but the warehouses that occupy them are to be rehabilitated and preserved for arts uses. WAMO will be competing in the city’s rigorous Request For Qualifications/Proposals (RFP) process for acquisition and management of these properties, scheduled to become City of Tucson easement for the Downtown Links Roadway. A couple of weeks ago, this was nearly struck down in City Council to be opened up to private developers, but the council recanted the following week and voted unanimously to move forward on accepting the RFPs for arts uses only. Mayor and Council also voted to include the Warehouse Arts District portion of Toole Avenue in the zoning overlay that is part of the Downtown Links urban planning.

WAMO is collaborating with other organizations to protect spaces in the Arts District.  Last year, WAMO hired Jim Wilcox as Development Consultant. Jim is the Senior Project Manager for the Curley School Artisan Lofts in Ajo, a project of the nationally acclaimed International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA). WAMO also applied for and received a 2010 Drachman Institute grant that will bring together various colleges within the University of Arizona to provide a hands on experience to students who will create models and plans for the Tucson Warehouse Arts District and provide a variety of in-depth looks at the economic impact of the arts in a city.

WAMO discussions with the Tucson Industrial Development Authority (IDA), have resulted in the IDA’s interest in financing opportunities for Warehouse Arts District property owners that conform to the Master Plan goals. At Solar Culture‘s request, WAMO obtained funding from investors and the IDA to purchase the building when it was rushed into auction. Although the auction was won by another bidder, WAMO has continued to advise and support Solar Culture in negotiations with a new landlord for a fair, affordable, long-term lease. WAMO also continues meet with and support private sector investors such as Peach Properties, who support the goals of the Master Plan for the district.

What kind of place do you think the Tucson Historic Warehouse Arts District could be? Imaging a vibrant Arts Walk along Toole Avenue with renovated facades and streetscape; a densely populated center for the Arts alive with open galleries, music, performance, cafes, and bookstores; an artists community launchpad for innovative collaboration and critical discussion; a prominent and permanent platform for Tucson’s internationally acclaimed All Souls Procession;  a centralized home for the Open Studio Tours (Spring/Fall) as well as new arts events.

WAMO is kicking off a campaign asking for monetary donations to help with operating expenses of all these ideas (and yours!), to defray costs of possible future building purchase down payments with the mission of brining individual tenants, managers and owners together to build a cohesive arts district. For a great grassroots artist-owned and finished out (well, at least it looks finished out to me) warehouse space, check out Rhythm Industry Performance Factory (in the warehouse area just south of Barrio Brewery on Tyndall and 20th), owned, managed and utilized by performing arts groups of all kinds. Wouldn’t it be great to have a place like this for visual artists?