Vision for the Sunshine Mile

Rio Nuevo is working with stakeholders, including Project for Public Spaces, on shaping the vision for the future of the Sunshine Mile located on Broadway Blvd between Euclid and Country Club. Improvements will strengthen the area, bring the community together and bring new life to the gateway into downtown Tucson. Public forums and focus groups have been held to ensure that the community is involved in the process and can help shape that vision.

Rio Nuevo acquired 39 unique properties that include Solot Plaza, Friedman Block, and the Bungalow Block. Rio Nuevo refreshed and updated the Friedman and Solot blocks by repainting, landscaping, and removing old awnings and window decals in an effort to enhance the area. In addition, Rio Nuevo preserved and moved seven historic bungalow properties from demolition. More on that below under ‘Historic Preservation’.

Solot Block

The District awarded Larsen Baker in April 2023 to develop the Solot Block. Future development plans include restaurants, retail, and services, creating an active environment for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Overlay Zone

An overlay zone will provide more opportunities for future development, and historic preservation, and increase the possibilities to create unique, inviting, and activated space for the community. Rio Nuevo has successfully submitted to the City of Tucson the Sunshine Mile Overlay District document that will lead the efforts toward building new and exciting spaces for the community to enjoy. The overlay zone document was created after many public workshops, communication with neighborhoods, the general public, the City of Tucson, Pima County, and many other constituents.

How to use the Overlay Zone

View the overlay zone boundaries by visiting City of Tucson GIS. Instructions on how to use the City of Tucson GIS is available by following this link: City of Tucson GIS Instructions.

Interested in using the overlay zone? Visit City of Tucson Special Districts.

We’re building Sunshine Mile for the community through strategic investment and planning – creating space, shops, restaurants, and more for you. 

Reports, Workshop Summaries and More

Placemaking

What is placemaking and how is Rio Nuevo creating Sunshine Mile as a destination? Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reshape the public spaces at the heart of their community. It strengthens the attachment between people and the place they share and helps build stronger communities. Learn more about our efforts and the timeline – Placemaking and Overlay Zone in the Sunshine Mile.

Sunshine Mile Public Workshop

Historic Preservation

The Sunshine Mile is a treasure trove of mid-century modern architecture and is a treasured regional asset that is celebrated and preserved. Tucson Modernism Week celebrates Tucson’s mid-century architecture and design and regularly showcases the Sunshine Mile during the event. Learn about preserving historic places along the Sunshine Mile by visiting Preserve Tucson.

sunshine mile, bungalows, historic preservation

7 Historic Bungalows, Saved from Demolition by Rio Nuevo

As part of historic preservation, Rio Nuevo will spend up to $2,000,000 on moving seven historic bungalow buildings on Broadway between Cherry and Warren avenues. These bungalows will eventually be home to restaurants, retail, and other businesses to create a destination for the community. Density and walkability are key to creating a positive, thriving, community space for everyone to share.

For more information on the importance of walkability visit Living Streets Alliance.

Broadway Blvd Widening

The City of Tucson began construction on the Broadway widening in late 2019 and will include bike lanes, sidewalk improvements, landscaping, and more.

Related News

August 2, 2023
New block on Tucson’s Sunshine Mile inks third tenant
July 27, 2023
Apartments planned linked to Welcome Diner
June 28, 2023
National grocery store eyeing Tucson’s Sunshine Mile
April 28, 2023
Cocktails on a train car and boutique bowling coming to Tucson
April 27, 2023
Huge Entertainment, Food and Beverage Projects Approved for Downtown and The Sunshine Mile
April 7, 2023
Gourmet salad, sandwich shop to open on Tucson’s Sunshine Mile
January 31, 2023
Reborn shops on the way for Sunshine Mile
January 26, 2023
Rio Nuevo Approved Larsen Baker Agreement for The Sunshine Mile
November 21, 2022
The Buzz: Sunshine Mile project complete after years of work
October 27, 2022
Broadway Improvement Project, Sunshine Mile ready for the public
September 22, 2022
Rio Nuevo Approves Investments for Two New Restaurants and 340 N 6th Ave.
March 24, 2022
Rio Nuevo Board Advances Unique Downtown Projects, Plans to Expand the Sunshine Mile, and New Board Member Introduced
January 12, 2022
This UNESCO City Of Gastronomy Is Developing A Culinary Heritage Collective
November 17, 2021
Rio Nuevo Invests in Downtown Events & Furthers Local Development
September 22, 2021
Rio Nuevo Shares Sunshine Mile Overlay Approval & Announces the Solicitation of Private Developers for Two Full Blocks
September 20, 2021
City adopts building rules in new sections of Sunshine Mile revitalization area
July 29, 2021
Rio Nuevo Continues to See Requests to Grow Local Businesses
May 20, 2021
New development to shine spotlight on Tucson’s City of Gastronomy designation
May 20, 2021
Historic bungalows to serve unique Tucson cuisine
February 24, 2021
Zoning Examiner Advances Rio Nuevo’s Urban Overlay for the Sunshine Mile
February 21, 2021
High-rises and affordable housing proposed for Tucson’s Sunshine Mile
January 28, 2021
Rio Nuevo Approves Incentive Package to Bring New Restaurant to former Janos Wilder Space
August 26, 2020
Rio Nuevo Moves Forward with Development at Downtown Gateway Intersection
July 30, 2020
Rio Nuevo Moves Forward with Sunshine Mile Projects and TCC Music Hall Lot
November 22, 2019
Broadway Widening and the Sunshine Mile
November 14, 2019
Demion Clinco: Rio Nuevo’s Vision for Broadway Boulevard and Beyond
November 8, 2019
Tucson City Council Approves Rezoning Effort on Broadway Boulevard
October 22, 2019
Historic Broadway bungalows to be moved back before road widening begins
October 22, 2019
7 Bungalows on Broadway to be Moved Back as Widening Work Inches Along
October 3, 2019
Exploring the future through the past: Tucson’s Sunshine Mile.
September 18, 2019
Rio Nuevo Plans to Clean Up Broadway Properties for Redevelopment
July 30, 2019
What’s the Future for the Sunshine Mile?
May 11, 2019
Ideas sought to make Broadway walkable near downtown Tucson
March 28, 2019
Mystery Employer to Bring 350 Jobs
January 29, 2019
Broadway Widening: When Will Work Begin?
December 12, 2018
Rio Nuevo Board Decided to Move Forward with Sunshine Mile Project
November 14, 2018
Change on the Way for Tucson’s Sunshine Mile
September 25, 2018
September Rio Nuevo Update
March 26, 2018
Rio Nuevo Board Tallies Economic Impact, Advances Three Projects
March 8, 2018
Rio Nuevo and the Sunshine Mile- Trend Report
March 5, 2018
Rio Nuevo May Save Buildings from Broadway Widening
March 4, 2018
Plan Could Save Many Structures Up for Demolition along Tucson’s Sunshine Mile
February 28, 2018
Rio Nuevo Board Advances Plan to Assist Businesses Affected by Broadway Widening
November 6, 2017
Rio Nuevo Board Advances Caterpillar’s Tucson Mining Center, Supports New Restaurant on Toole Avenue
April 3, 2017
Rio Nuevo Program Would Revitalize Tucson’s “Sunshine Mile”

Related Documents

Agreements

April 28, 2023
GPLET Solot Block

Rio Nuevo Documents

April 20, 2023
Sunshine Mile Overlay Zone Summary
April 20, 2023
Ordinance 11872
April 20, 2023
Sunshine Mile Overlay Zone – Approved by City of Tucson
February 22, 2021
Sunshine Mile Overlay Zone Document
October 13, 2020
Supplemental Neighborhood Presentation – October 2020
August 5, 2020
Sunshine Mile Overlay Zone Update
July 27, 2020
Sunshine Mile District Vision Document
July 17, 2020
Sunshine Mile District Map
July 17, 2020
Sunshine Mile Overlay District Draft 2020
July 17, 2020
Sunshine Mile Neighborhood Meeting Notice, July 2020

RFQs, RFPs, IFBs

November 8, 2022
Guided Tour for La Buhardilla/Country Home Properties RN-2022-11-03
November 3, 2022
Sunshine Mile Former La Buhardilla RFQ
July 11, 2022
First-Addendum-to-Solot-Plaza-RFQ.pdf
July 11, 2022
First-Addendum-to-Freidman-Block-SOQ.pdf
June 2, 2022
Alta Survey Solot Block
June 2, 2022
Solot Plaza RFQ Inquiries and Responses
May 31, 2022
FRIEDMAN BLOCK RFQ – INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES
May 12, 2022
Guided Tours for Sunshine Mile RFQ’s
May 9, 2022
Corrected Friedman Block RFQ for Development
May 9, 2022
Solot Block RFQ for Development
May 6, 2022
Friedman Block RFQ for Development
March 16, 2021
Sunshine Mile RFQ for Bungalow Development
April 15, 2019
Request for Statements of Qualifications for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR)
September 17, 2018
Addendum #2- Bungalow Block
September 17, 2018
Addendum #2- Donut Hole Block
September 17, 2018
Addendum #2- Solot Block
September 11, 2018
Rio Nuevo Sunshine Mile RFQ Recording of Submittals
August 9, 2018
Addendum- Bungalo Block
August 9, 2018
Addendum- Solot Block
August 9, 2018
Addendum- Donut Hole Block
July 10, 2018
Sunshine Mile Solot Block RFQ for Design
July 10, 2018
Sunshine Mile Donut Hole Block RFQ for Design
July 10, 2018
Sunshine Mile Bungalow Block RFQ for Design
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