Three intersections in Tucson now calmer and more colorful, thanks to paint, planters, and people-power
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) The completed LQC traffic circle at Helen Street and 14th Avenue
October 2022 saw some amazing street transformations here in Tucson. It started off with the creation of a brand new traffic circle in Barrio Blue Moon as well as the addition of paint to an existing traffic circle up the block.
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) Aerial view of October 1st block painting party, looking south, with existing traffic circle in the foreground and new traffic circle in the distance
(Photo credit: Ernesto Raul Aguilar) Local artist Armando Sotelo, left, designed the mural artwork for the 14th & Helen traffic circle
The new traffic circle was implemented at Helen Street and 14th Avenue through the Thrive in the 05 initiative, as just one of many “Action Activities” happening in the area. Local artist, Armando Sotelo, who grew up in the neighborhood, came up with the artwork, which was vetted through a public process.
On Saturday, October 1st families from the neighborhood and nearby Tucson House attended a block-painting party to help paint the new mural and add color to the traffic circle to the north.
(Photo credit: Ernesto Raul Aguilar) Residents of nearby Tucson House came to enjoy the block-painting party
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) View of the block party, looking north, with new traffic circle in foreground and Tucson House in the distance
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) Neighbors helped gather and prepare plants, soil, and mulch in planters for the new traffic circle
The end result was more than just colorful and beautiful additions to the neighborhood; during the block party neighbors met and connected—many for the first time—people enjoy food and music together, and some even got their bikes fixed! Enjoy more photos from the day by Creatista, Lucas Boring, and Ernesto Raul Aguilar.
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) Families and neighbors of Barrio Blue Moon help paint an existing traffic circle in October 2022
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) The existing traffic circle after being touched-up by volunteers with colorful paint
Gratitude the perfect name for 6th Avenue’s new mural
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) Aerial view of the intersection at 6th Avenue and 12th Street being transformed during the block-painting party on Oct. 22, 2022
Just three weeks after the first one, another block party took place downtown as part of our 6th Avenue Asphalt Art project in partnership with the City of Tucson Dept. of Transportation & Mobility. Over the course of the day more than 300 Tucsonans helped implement a series of designs created by Tucson artist Yu Yu Shiratori. The mural, titled Gratitude, honors the rich and diverse history of the Amory Park area and neighborhood through a series of tiles and images based on stories and ideas shared by Tucsonans in and from the area.
(Photo credit: Logan Havens) The center median prepped and ready for the block-painting party
(Photo credit: Mamta Popat) Volunteers helping paint the center median during the block-painting party
(Photo credit: Living Streets Alliance) A view of the finished median mural and installed planters at the conclusion of the day, October 22, 2022
By the end of the day the turn lane of an entire block has been transformed into a center median filled with a linear mural. Three curb extensions had been created using paint, planters, and flex-posts to shorten the crossing distances in the intersection for people on foot. In total 33 planters were filled with soil, mulch, and plants, and installed to help reinforce car-free areas.
(Photo credit: Mamta Popat) Volunteers shoveling soil to fill 33 large planters for the project
(Photo credit: Mamta Popat) A volunteer planting native vegetation in one of 33 planters installed in the area during the block-painting party
You can read more about this traffic-calming project here.
We’d like to say thank you one more time to all of the sponsors and partners who helped make it possible: Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, Street Plans, Psomas, Rio Nuevo, TEP, AARP Tucson, Tank’s Green Stuff, Aveda Institute of Tucson, Speedy Striping, Pima County Native Plant Nursery, Penca, Owl’s Club, Pearly Baker, Shirt Shop Mercantile, Blue Front, Children’s Museum Tucson, United Way Days of Caring, and all of the amazing volunteers who pitched in time, strength, energy, and creativity to bring this project to life!
Make sure to check out all of the amazing photos from the day by Mamta Popat and Logan Havens.
(Photo credit: Lucas Boring) Aerial of a portion of the completed mural in the former turn lane, now a center median with added mid-block crossing
Wait, there’s more!
At least one more block-painting party will be happening between now and the end of the year as part of the Thrive in the 05 initiative. If you live in the area of Miracle Manor, join us on Saturday, November 19th and help paint two new traffic circle murals on 15th Avenue. Food, music, free bike repair and more will be provided!