The morning of Friday, November 6 saw 3 bidders vying for the old Zee's Gallery - with the Arizona Department of Transportation's original asking price of $165,000 bid up another $87,000.
Luthier and artist Chris Larsen, the Industrial Development Authority and Peach Properties danced the auction do-se-do; which turned Peach Properties into the owners of the building's 18,678 square feet.
David Aguirre of Dinnerware Artspace said that 1 E. Toole Ave. is slated to be a partnership between himself and Peach Properties, "with their history of renovating historic spaces for arts uses and myself managing arts spaces and attracting artists."
"I think it's going to set the tone for what's happening on Toole Avenue, with a slew of art galleries and arts-related businesses," said Aguirre.
Businesses on the 200 block of East Congress Street (278 E. Congress St.-264 E. Congress St.) recently received eviction notices for April 1, 2010 - which includes Dinnerware and six others (see related opinion piece), with timing that "might work really well" says Mr. Aguirre, for moving to the historic warehouse district.
He said that a Certificate of Occupancy for 1 E. Toole Ave. should be ready by next March and also noted that it will likely cost at least $100,000 to get the property ready for use.
On Tuesday, November 10, 31 E. Toole Ave. (aka Solar Culture) will go to auction at 11 a.m. at the Arizona Department of Transportation's Tucson District Office - 1221 S. 2nd Ave. (see related article)
