Yesterday, I was at a brown-bag think session with members of the Tucson Downtown Partnership, Metropolitan Pima Alliance and Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.  What we were learning about was a draft proposal for invigorating Tucson's core that the Downtown Partnership is working on - which is very impressive & well thought-out. 

One of the beautiful things of luncheons like these are the ideas that flow from them...and this one had a beauty pop up!

Scott Greenburg had an idea that really made sense to a lot of people (myself included) that would do a lot of good in a variety of ways - private developers build apartments in downtown Tucson or the 4th Avenue area, but with no parking spaces...and lease the building to the University of Arizona for student housing.

• University of Arizona needs student housing, but is landlocked
• U of A and the City of Tucson are looking for ways to utilize Downtown together
• No parking facilities will keep the cost down & encourage use of public transportation (plus campus is a walkable or bicycle distance anyhow)...and these areas are right where the new streetcar route is going
  
• A no-car dorm is very parent-friendly
• Everything a student would need is very accessible by either walking, biking or public transport - including the entertainment venues that students already frequent

After mulling over Mr. Greenburg's idea some more, the brilliance of it really stands out.  Perhaps having the street-level as retail & restaurants could further add value to all sides.  Town/Gown relationships would have a great opportunity to grow even futher.

Now if only we can get the department of frozen molasses, I mean, the planning & zoning department to pull their heads out & look at something practical for a change, this could really work!

Anyone care to share examples from your corner of the world?