Downtown transit center progressing toward upgrade

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - It appears the redevelopment of the Ronstadt Transit Center in downtown Tucson will take another step forward next week.

The Tucson city council is poised to approve a pre-development agreement with the property developer, Peach Properties.

The agreement will allow plans to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for approval or for recommended changes.

The project started as a $170 million proposal but the agreement calls for $130 million.

But most importantly, it will remain a transit center.

"That's why I worked so many years to get past the conflict," Ward 3 council member Karin Uhlich said.

Many in downtown were concerned if the 4.5-acre site was developed, the transit center would be moved and be less convenient to the community which needs it the most.

Uhlich worked to overcome those obstacles and find the solution which is moving forward now.

If the agreement moves forward in its present form, it will include the transit component but also up to 400 housing units, a boutique hotel, commercial and retail.

"It will be the crown jewel," Uhlich said. "It will reinforce all the progress we're making downtown."