Metropolitan Pima Alliance

Lunch and Learn - Water Resiliency in the Desert, How Southern Arizona is Growing Smarter
2023-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Phoenix) | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Presenters: Rob Simm, Stantec; Karen Cesare, Central Arizona Project Board Member; John Kimec, Director of Tucson Water
Moderator: Rory Juneman, Lazarus & Silvyn & President, City of Tucson, Citizen Water Advisory Committee (CWAC)
MPA has launched a new, quarterly program: Lunch and Learn! Each event will be a two hour, in depth, informative panel style presentation and discussion on a timely and relevant topic to the land use and development industry. Each Lunch and Learn will be presented in partnership with another organization, providing greater opportunity for relationship building and expanding the access of information we are able to provide our Members with.

Virtual Public Policy Committee
2023-08-22 12:00 - 13:00
Milini, with the Town, will be presenting on this at our Public Policy Committee meeting on August 22nd.
Mayor and Council directed staff to recommend code updates to prioritize neighborhood parks and more meaningful amenities in their FY21/22-22/23 Strategic Leadership Plan. We researched best practices and presented our findings to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission and Town Council late last year/early this year. Since then, we have been drafting the code amendment and are now ready to reach out to key stakeholders.
The Parks and Rec Advisory Board will be discussing the code amendment to provide additional guidance this evening. Depending on their feedback and comments from other stakeholders, we have tentatively scheduled consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission in September and Town Council in October.
This meeting is open to ALL MPA Members. The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of, to those who have registered.

Membership Breakfast - City of Tucson Update
2023-08-16 08:00 - 09:30 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Have you met Kristina, PDSD Director?

Join us on August 16th, from 8-9:30am @ the Coop for a presentation by the City of Tucson’s new Director of Planning and Development Services at the City of Tucson- Kristina Swallow- Building Official- Juan Garcia- and Economic Initiatives Project Manager, Mike Czechowski.
A little more about Kristina…
As the former director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, Swallow demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in overseeing the planning, construction, maintenance, and operations of the state highway system. Managing an annual budget of $1 billion showcases her ability to handle complex financial matters and allocate resources effectively.
Swallow’s three decades of experience in various sectors, coupled with her understanding of both the public and private sectors, will be valuable in her new position. Her expertise in undertaking projects at the local, state, and federal levels indicates her ability to navigate different levels of government and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Policy Committee is cancelled for Arizona State Land Forum
2023-07-25 12:00 - 13:00

Virtual Public Policy Committee - Plan Tucson
2023-06-27 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.
This month we will be joined by City of Tucson Planning and Development Services Department team and will receive an update on the Plan Tucson, the City’s general plan effort. Updated and approved by voters every 10 years, this plan provides a vision for the growth and evolution of the City and is used to guide policy. This meeting is open to ALL MPA Members. The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of, to those who have registered.

Membership Breakfast - Pima County Update
2023-06-21 08:00 - 09:30 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Join us June 21st as we hear an update from County leadership. This hour-long breakfast meeting will consist of a brief presentation from the three panelists, followed by a robust attendee led conversation discussion topics impacting our region and the development community.
This breakfast is your opportunity to receive targeted, relevant information from the Planning and Development Services, Economic Development and Workforce and Housing departments. We will be joined by the following panelists:
Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Economic Development
Chris Poirier, Planning and Development Services
Dan Sullivan, Community and Workforce Development
Breakfast will be served from 8-8:30 AM, buffet style. The program begins promptly at 8:30 AM and will run until 9:30 AM. This presentation is open to both Members and non-members alike, with registration ending on June 20th at 5pm.

Virtual Public Policy Committee
2023-05-23 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This meeting is open to ALL MPA Members. The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of, to those who have registered.

2023 Common Ground Awards
2023-05-18 17:30 - 21:00 | The Fox Theatre, 17W. Congress, Tucson, Arizona, 85701
Timeline of the Evening
5:30pm-7:30pm Social Hour: Food, Libations and Entertainment
7:30pm-8:30pm Presentation of Awards Celebrating MPA’s Stars
Suggested Attire…We Know You’ll Be Puttin’ on the Ritz
Gentleman – Suits
Women – Opulent Gowns

CANCELLED - Virtual Public Policy Committee
2023-04-25 12:00 - 13:00

Lunch and Learn - Regional Transportation
2023-04-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Where are we going? How do we get there? The Roadmap to Collaborative Regional Transportation
Provide a look back at some of Southern Arizona’s historical transportation planning challenges, how communities are now directly and indirectly affected, and what state, regional, and local transportation authorities are doing to better meet future needs.
Join MPA and ATB Members for a informative discussion and presentation by:
Ted Maxwell, President of SALC, Arizona State Transportation Board Member
Tom McGovern, Chair, Citizen’s Advisory Committee RTA
Jim DeGrood, City of Tucson, Prop 411
Registration + Lunch: 11:00am-11:30am
Program: 11:30am-1:00pm

Virtual Public Policy Committee - Pima County RWRD
2023-03-28 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This month we will be receiving a presentation by Kent McRae, Sanitary Engineering Manager with Pima County’s RWRD, on the proposed ordinance changes impacting sanitary sewer systems. You may review the most recent version of the proposed ordinance HERE.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of March 28th to those who have registered. You must register to attend.

Membership Breakfast - What's New at the Town of Sahuarita
2023-03-15 08:00 - 09:30 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Join us for our first in person, but second breakfast presentation of 2023. Over the course of the year, MPA will be hosting 6 breakfast presentations to provide you with updates from each of the 5 local jurisdictions in Southern Arizona, along with a sate legislative preview. The goal of these breakfast presentations is to provide you the most recent development and economic development information along with connecting you to the jurisdictions senior staff.We are excited to partner with the Town of Sahuarita as our first jurisdictional update of 2023. Victor Gonzales, Economic Development and Public affairs Director, and Anna Casadei, Planning and Building Director, will be our presenters. If you or your company has done work in Sahuarita, there is a good chance these two were involved. Both are very knowledgeable and helpful, it is always a pleasure to hear them present.Learn more about both Victor and Anna below:
As the Economic Development and Public Affairs Director for the Town of Sahuarita, Mr. Gonzalez provides leadership and coordinates the efforts for the Town’s economic, marketing and place-making strategies as well as establishing programming for small businesses. Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez is responsible for the Town’s Public Affairs and Communications activities. Mr. Gonzalez’s economic development experience spans over 20 years having worked in Douglas, Flagstaff, Yuma and Gilbert. He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD); a graduate of the University of Arizona, B.S. Regional Development; and successfully completed the Economic Development Institute sponsored by the University of Oklahoma.Anna Casadei, AICP, is the Planning and Building Director for the Town of Sahuarita, where she has served in various roles since 2008. Anna graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 before moving to Albuquerque where she worked for the City of Albuquerque Planning Department from 2004 to 2008. What Anna enjoys most about her job is problem-solving and collaboratively seeking win-win solutions to development issues. She has volunteered with the City of Tucson Planning Commission, the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association, Boy Scout Troop 772, and at various bicycling events. Anna is the proud mother of a 17-year-old son with a strong passion for cycling, and she spends many weekends at bike races supporting him and his teammates.Breakfast will be served from 8-8:30 AM, buffet style. The program begins promptly at 8:30 AM and will run until 9:30 AM. This presentation is open to both Members and non-members alike, with registration ending on March 14th at 5pm.

SOLD OUT Lunch and Learn - City of Tucson Permitting 101
2023-02-15 11:00 - 13:00 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
This luncheon will provide attendees a thorough understanding of the permitting process in the City of Tucson as well as acquainting them with the new online permitting platform, Tucson Development Center Online. While no major transition is easy, in collaboration with the City, we hope to make it as painless as possible, by keeping the lines of communication between the public and private sector open.

A panel of experts from the City’s various permit review departments has been assembled, ensuring each stage of the review process is thoroughly explained to attendees and all questions can be answered. This will be an interactive lunch, allowing attendees to ask questions, receive advice and seek solutions to issues they are facing.

Registration + Lunch: 11:00am-11:30am
Program: 11:30am-1:00pm
Please send all inquiries to Executive Director, Allyson Solomon.

Virtual Public Policy Committee - City of Tucson Land Use Code Amendments
2023-01-24 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.
This month we will be receiving a presentation by Dan Bursik on the proposed Land Use Code Amendments going first before the City’s Planning Commission on 1/25 and ultimately the Mayor and Council for approval.
Information on the proposed code changes may be found here:
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/pdsd/projects/Code_Updates/Proposed_Code_Updates_Summary_December_2022_web.pdf
The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of January 24th to those who have registered. You must register to attend. Only MPA Members can register for this meeting.

Virtual Membership Breakfast - Legislative Update
2023-01-18 08:00 - 09:00
Every other month, MPA hosts a breakfast open to members and future members. These informative and educational breakfasts can be presentations, panel discussions, debates or forums. Topics cover relevant issues of interest to our community, as they relate to the land use and development industry.
Join us for our first program of 2023, a peek into the burgeoning 56th regular legislative session. The election results of 2022 bring with them many changes, not just in those serving. With a new Governor comes new priorities for this legislative session and the state of Arizona. Governor Hobbs has wasted no time making her priorities clear, as have many other newly and also reinstated state elected officials.We invite you to join us for a virtual (as session is in) presentation by Representative Andres Cano and lobbyist Michael Racy, both working hard at the Capitol to represent the interests of Southern Arizona.Representative Cano has been a leader in matter of water scarcity and allocation and will continue to work on legislation pertaining to this finite resource. He will present on this as well as other impactful issues and bills he is working on this session.Mr. Racy, has over thirty years’ experience representing clients in front of all levels of State, Federal and local Government, represents a broad range of public and private clients with specialty in real estate development, permitting, transportation, aviation, taxation, education, local governments and budgeting. He will be presenting on newly introduced bills impacting the local and state development communities and what the potential impact these bills would have on the industry.The program begins promptly at 8am January 18th, 2023. This presentation is open to both Members and non-members alike, with registration ending on January 17th at 5pm. A link to join the presentation will be sent to those who have registered.

Lunch and Learn - Looking Over the Horizon
2022-12-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
Join us for our final Lunch and Learn of 2022! At next week’s program, we will address what is on everyone’s mind as we transition from 2022 into 2023, the condition of Southern Arizona’s Real Estate market. In addition to a brief recap of what has occurred this year in the non-single family residential market, experts in the fields of finical, development and brokerage will provide their perspective on what the future holds. While they have all said they do not have a crystal ball, history shows their previous predictions to be quite accurate!Our panel of experts you will be hearing predictions from include:
-Kevin Prouty of CBRE, VP Debt and Structured Finance-RaeLyn Harrison of Fairfield Homes, COO-Art Wadlund of Institutional Property Advisors, Senior Managing Director
-George C Larsen, CCIM of Larsen Baker LLC, Co-FounderWe only have 100 spots available, and our last two Lunch & Learn events sold out, so please register early!
Relationship building + Registration: 11:00am-11:30am
Lunch + Program: 11:30am-1:00pm
Please send all inquiries to Executive Director, Allyson Solomon.

Fall 2022 Immersion - Course 5
2022-12-02 12:00 - 17:30 | Sunbelt Holdings, 44 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85701
Content is protected.

Virtual Public Policy Committee - Town of Marana Impact Fee 5 year update
2022-11-22 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This month we will be receiving a presentation on the proposed impact fees associated with the Town of Marana’s 5 year update. Last passed in 2017, the Town in proposing increases to their fees incurred by those developing in the Town. A new change to note is the proposed addition of park fees to non-residential uses.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of November 22nd to those who have registered. You must register to attend.

Fall 2022 Immersion - Course 4
2022-11-18 12:00 - 17:30 | Sunbelt Holdings, 44 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85701

Cocktails & Connections/Holiday Edition - The Planning Center
2022-11-17 16:00 - 20:00 | The Shanty, 401 E. 9th Street, Tucson, 85705
Kick off the Holiday Season with The Planning Center! As a Tucson small business, they want to support and celebrate fellow local businesses. Therefore, they’ve chosen a 4th Avenue classic, The Shanty, as their location, with catering by the ever-popular and fabulous Roma Imports.
We can’t wait to see you Thursday, November 17th, from 4-8pm! The Shanty is at 401 E. 9th Street, on the NE corner of 4th Ave and 9th. If you cannot find street parking, Centro Garage is just on the other side of the underpass. Please note, per The Shanty’s policy, this is a 21 and over event. Questions? Email info@azplanningcenter.com, or call at (520) 623-6146.

Fall 2022 Immersion - Course 3
2022-11-04 12:00 - 17:30 | Sunbelt Holdings, 44 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85701

Virtual Public Policy Committee - City of Tucson Infill Incentive District
2022-10-25 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This month we will be receiving a presentation on the proposed update to the City’s Infill Incentive District, a development and economic development tool that is up for renewal by the Mayor and Council.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of October 25th to those who have registered. You must register to attend.

Fall 2022 Immersion - Course 2
2022-10-21 13:00 - 17:30 | Sunbelt Holdings, 44 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85701

2022 Topgolf with Top Officials
2022-10-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Topgolf, 4050 W Costco Dr., Tucson, AZ, 85741

Fall 2022 Immersion - Course 1
2022-10-07 12:00 - 17:30 | Sunbelt Holdings, 44 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85701

Virtual Public Policy Committee - Tucson Water Development Policy Update
2022-09-27 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.
This month we will be receiving a presentation from Tucson Water, providing us more information on 5 proposed policies staff was directed to research and draft by the Mayor and Council. These policies will be going back before the Mayor and Council for direction in October. You can access the proposed policies HERE. MPA has been working with Tucson Water and our members to provide feedback and illuminate any outstanding potentially negative impacts to the development industry.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of September 27th to those who have registered. You must register to attend.

SOLD OUT! Lunch and Learn with ABA & SAHBA - Regional Development Update
2022-09-26 11:00 - 13:00 | Culinary Dropout, 2543 E Grant Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85716, United States
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
MPA, ABA and SAHBA invite you to join us and our Members as we hear from the City of Tucson’s Assistant Town Manager and interim Director of PDSD, Tim Thomure, Pima County’s Director of DSD, Carla Blackwell, Tucson Water Director, John Kimec and Pima County’s Wastewater Director, Jackson Jenkins. This panel of leaders will discuss current development activity in the City and County, how the two departments are collaborating and how the future of development in our region will be shaped by new water and wastewater policies.
Relationship building + Registration: 11:00am-11:30am
Lunch + Program: 11:30am-1:00pm
Please send all inquiries to Executive Director, Allyson Solomon.

Cocktails & Connections - JKaiser Workspaces
2022-08-25 17:00 - 19:00 | JKaiser Workspaces, 40 E. Congress, Ste. 102, Tucson, 85701
JKaiser Workspaces is an award-winning commercial furnishings and interior design firm with an international portfolio of exceptional spaces created for world class organizations. As a 2019 and 2020 inc5000 honoree, JKaiser is one of the country’s fastest scaling businesses, specializing in furnishing new construction projects and assisting clients in long term growth strategies including modular furniture solutions, space planning for flexibility, defining company culture through intentional design, and consulting on healthy workplace strategies.
Event info:
ADDRESS: 40 East Congress Suite 102
PARKING: street parking available or nearby parking at Pennington Garage
The fourth Thursday of the month, members and nonmembers alike are invited to a member hosted cocktail reception. This event showcases the hosts’ workspace and projects while providing attendees a fun and informal way to make new connections and catch up with old friends. The host provides food and drinks for about 30-50 MPA and non-MPA members.

Virtual Public Policy Committee -Town of Sahuarita Code Amendments
2022-08-23 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This month we will be receiving a presentation from Anna Casadei, Planning and Building Director for the Town of Sahuarita on current and upcoming code, process and staffing changes taking place at the Town.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of August 23rd to those who have registered. You must register to attend.

Virtual Public Policy Committee - Stakeholder Discussion: Town of Sahuarita Code updates and Town of Marana Impact Fees
2022-07-26 12:00 - 13:00
Join MPA and other engaged members to learn more about public policy and process issues facing the development community in Southern Arizona. Our Policy Committee meets monthly and features a new topic of discussion along with exploring ongoing issues.This month we will be receiving a presentation from Anna Casadei, Planning and Building Director for the Town of Sahuarita on current and upcoming code, process and staffing changes taking place at the Town.The link to join the meeting will be sent out the morning of July 26th to those who have registered. You must register to attend.
