DTP Interim CEO Michael Keith. photo: Ariel Campbell.
Local developer Michael Keith began work as the Downtown Tucson Partnership’s interim CEO on May 10. Zocalo spoke with Keith about his roots and his vision.
What prompted the move from board member to staff member?
(Former CEO Glenn) Lyon’s resignation obviously triggered it. Some board members began to advocate for me to replace Glenn because I had a lot of contacts that could be beneficial to the organization and 26 years in the development of downtown. It’s an interim position, so it’s up September 7, and then the board has the ability to extend the long-term contract or do a search for somebody else. I would hope that this would be a long-term position and a mutually beneficial relationship.
How has your background prepared you for leading the partnership?
Since the mid-1980s I’ve been doing housing projects downtown. I would purchase abandoned, out-of-service adobes and convert them into housing through the rental rehab program for low-income residents. From there, I segued into my own development projects; I did general contracting work at the same time. So I have a pretty extensive knowledge of the downtown residential market, and I have been associated with downtown in one form or another for virtually my entire life.
What are your priorities for the organization?
The priority in the interim period is to maintain the momentum that Glenn Lyons built up. We are going to be intensely involved in the streetcar project probably on every level. We’ll continue publishing the Downtown Tucsonan, and we will continue to do our core function, which is the Business Improvement District – the Purple People, street maintenance and security.
How do you envision the development along the streetcar tracks?
I think we’re going to see an increased density in the next five years along the entire line. There’s quite a bit of effort right now looking at overlay zones that might make that transition easier. I applaud the city’s efforts to be proactive and to create a situation where as these investors come in – everything from the little mom and pop shops to the big developments – that the process that they are going to have to go through is going to be simplified and easier to understand. A lot of this outdated suburban zoning might go away. Which, frankly, you might not have seen 10 years ago from the city. Right now, the city’s taking the lead on this. If the streetcar develops well, Tucson will be well-positioned for the next 20 years to really grow.
Do you anticipate any changes in the governing or financial structure?
We’re getting squeezed along with everybody else. We’re trying to do more with less and, unfortunately, that’s just the times. We are looking at expanding the boundaries of the BID, particularly with the city-owned lands along the freeway and other lands that the city manager wants to sell. We want to make sure that the provisions for the BID are part of that sale.
What changes do you expect in the relationship with the city?
The contract with the city is going to transfer over real well. A lot of that is economic development and construction-related development, which luckily I have a good, solid background in. Glenn’s work over the last two years on the economic development side established credibility that, hopefully, I’ll be able to take forward and expand. There’s a collaborative mindset that didn’t exist even five years ago. We’re seeing city staff really sit down and discuss issues. The private sector isn’t finger pointing at the city with superficial knee-jerk reactions. There’s a core group of people now downtown that have all been through the last 10 years. They’ve had to get creative and collaborative to survive, and I think it’s that collaboration that’s going to go forward and that’s basically what the partnership is. I think everybody really needs everybody right now.
Is there interest in continuing the fa'ade improvement program?
The Rio Nuevo board is interested. It was their money and their vision, as well. One idea I have is to do a two-tiered fa'ade program. And one would be for paint and awnings, with a lower dollar value and possibly easier review process. The second level would be the full-blown facade improvement like we did with The Screening Room and the Rialto block. We’re just beginning to explore that.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking to the point in the future when the first thought in any Tucsonan’s mind when visitors are coming is to take them downtown. People really do want community. We keep thinking we’re getting away from that, with technology. I still love to sit at an outdoor café and watch people come and go. It’s one of the great pleasures.
