A lot has happened since the Fourth Avenue underpass closed for reconstruction in June 2007. Four street fairs have come and gone, the Tucson Citizen folded, local non-profits have faced fundamental re-organization, area businesses have closed, others have opened and some have celebrated their two year anniversary.
Unbelievably, the on and off ramps on Interstate 10 are slowly beginning to see the light of day and - also seeming to defy belief - the Fourth Avenue underpass reconstruction is wrapping up.
"We're ready to have this thing open!" exclaims Kurt Tallis of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association (FAMA).
When the underpass re-opens on Thursday, August 20, it will mean more than simply reconnecting the unique and vibrant communities of Fourth Avenue and Downtown. Everyone will benefit - residents, visitors and especially the smaller businesses on the east end of Congress Street seemingly cutoff from the rest of the disposable income world. College students will now have more real estate to cruise and the All Souls Procession can resume its traditional route through the underpass.
With the help of the family-friendly Old Pueblo Trolley, downtown will become more accessible than ever to the university corridor.
"We're realizing a dream (we've had) for 25 years," said Gene Caywood, chairman of the Old Pueblo Trolley (OPT). During OPT's 16 years of operation, the grand vision has always been to connect the university with downtown, Caywood explained.
With the re-opening, trolley riders will be treated to the new route which goes through the underpass and up to downtown's Fifth Avenue before making a loop and turning back. Caywood says OPT and FAMA are in the process of recruiting a sponsor that will allow free rides into the evening as a part of the grand re-opening.
In keeping with the artistic sensibility that defines downtown and Fourth Avenue, the underpass will also feature a magnificent collection of several thousand 4"x4" portraits taken by local photographers Gary Patch and Darren Clark that have been etched into tile. Although there are many stories behind these pictures, it is safe to say this will insure the underpass develops a personality that far exceeds its concrete makeup.
The re-opening celebration starts at 4:00 p.m. and includes a ribbon cutting ceremony, free live music at various venues with merchants on both sides of the tracks staying open late into the night.
For more information visit www.FourthAvenue.org or www.DowntownTucson.org.
