On a Journey to Rediscover Tucson
Last month I was walking through downtown with a lifelong friend and we were discussing the ways in which Tucson has changed over the last two decades. Like many cities across the U.S., rapid development has altered much of my hometown. The result has brought about changes both “good” and “bad,” but it’s hard to know what is truly beneficial for the city and its occupants. Some decisions may lead to major economic gains, and yet, these same decisions can also erode our charm and sense of place. What makes us Tucson vs. Phoenix, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or any other Southwest city? How do we maintain our uniqueness while we continue to grow and evolve? And how are all of these decisions impacted by climate change and our summers that keep getting hotter each year?
These questions are too substantial for me alone to answer, and truthfully, my opinion on what makes sense for our city is made without a full picture of the hidden governmental, environmental, financial, and corporate barriers that likely stand in the way of true progress. Luckily, in spite of sometimes short-term thinking, there have been developments in recent years that are worthy of celebration. While local businesses have been torn down and replaced with giant cookie-cutter apartments (you know, the ones that look the same no matter what city you’re in) there are exciting transformations taking place too. New local and small businesses have emerged in recent years and many old standbys have expanded. Tucson’s abundance of legendary bars and restaurants continues to receive national and global recognition, and while we could do a much better job of developing innovative infrastructure, the city is trying. Public transit has been free since 2020 and will hopefully remain that way, and new local markets are popping up constantly. Despite the burden of bureaucracy and corporate greed, there are still good things on the horizon.
After reminiscing and trying to pin down a timeline of downtown’s swift redevelopment, our discussion eventually lead to my job as a realtor and just how much the city itself is the backdrop of the work I do. I don’t want to only help people buy and sell real estate — I also want to honor and celebrate the neighborhoods we live in and the places that make them special. Because of that desire, I’ve started sharing weekly videos covering different neighborhoods in Tucson and the local businesses and landmarks that are notable. My most recent journey has been exploring the streetcar in different sections, starting in the Jefferson Park neighborhood and concluding at the Mercado San Agustin in Menlo Park.
To watch, head to my Instagram, @designremade, and be sure to follow to see where I go next.
Julia Van Valkenburg, Realtor
OMNI Homes International
julia@buyselltucsonhomes.com
Text or call: 520-275-3514
