Accolades
Congress Street Award
In 2017, the American Planning Association named Congress Street one of just five “Great Streets” in America. It earned the honor after visionary city planning restored its heart—balancing history, transit, and lively pedestrian life.
Once a car‑dominated corridor, Congress Street was revitalized through:
- Reducing lanes from three to two, widening sidewalks, and planting shade trees
- Adding bike racks and the Sun Link streetcar in 2014, improving connectivity
- Restoring downtown icons like the Rialto and Fox Tucson Theatres and rehabilitating a dozen historic facades with 6:1 private-to-public investment
The result? A thriving corridor with fast-growing energy: over 67 businesses opened since 2008, including 25 restaurants—16 in historic buildings and most locally owned. Today, Congress Street hums with events, galleries, live music, and everyday life :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Stretching 1.6 miles from Toole Avenue to Silverbell Road, this corridor now connects neighborhoods like Menlo Park, the Mercado District, the Tucson Convention Center, and the University of Arizona—making it walkable, bikeable, and full of heart.
Congress Street proves good planning = great memories. Let’s take a stroll down the rebuilt main street. – Tony Ray 🚶♂️
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