Dear Tubac Business Community,

The Tubac Chamber of Commerce has released a statement regarding the proposed expansion of the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 19 near Amado.

We believe it is important for the Chamber to clearly represent the interests of our business community on a project that could affect Tubac’s tourism, economy, accessibility, and character.

We have shared the statement with several media outlets, as well as our federal and state representatives, to ensure Tubac’s business community and concerns are part of the conversation.

We encourage you to read the full statement below and stay informed as this process moves forward.

Thank you for your continued support of Tubac.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tubac is a welcoming destination where Arizona’s history, art, culture, hospitality, outdoor recreation, and exceptional night skies come together. Located just 45 minutes south of Tucson along Interstate 19, Tubac welcomes visitors from Arizona, across the country, and around the world. Its galleries, restaurants, lodging, historic attractions, festivals, and cultural experiences support businesses and jobs throughout Santa Cruz County. Each February, the Tubac Festival of the Arts brings thousands of visitors to the region and generates significant economic activity.

Tubac is also an International Dark Sky Community, and the surrounding region is home to world-class astronomical research, including the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins. Protecting the accessibility, character, and night skies of this region is important not only to Tubac, but to the broader Santa Cruz County economy.

The Tubac Chamber of Commerce supports effective border security and recognizes the important role of the U.S. Border Patrol in protecting our communities and our nation. We also support reasonable improvements to the existing I-19 checkpoint that improve safety, efficiency, and traffic flow.

However, the Chamber opposes the proposed 17.4-acre expansion of the checkpoint near Amado as it is currently conceived and disclosed.

A federal project of this size and scope should be proportional to a clearly demonstrated operational need, and the communities and businesses affected by it should have a clear understanding of what is being proposed. Recent reporting has raised significant questions about the scope of the project, including an account from the affected property owner that plans presented to her by CBP contained facilities and functions that have not been publicly disclosed. CBP should clarify the full scope of the proposal.

Interstate 19 is the primary gateway to Tubac and a critical transportation corridor for Santa Cruz County, tourism, businesses, and international commerce. A large permanent federal facility involving substantial infrastructure, lighting, fencing, and traffic controls could affect the region’s visual and historic character, night skies, visitor experience, and access to Tubac. Those impacts deserve careful evaluation before the project moves forward.

The Tubac Chamber of Commerce calls on CBP to:

• Publicly disclose the proposed facility’s design, footprint, functions, lighting, traffic capacity, and operational plans.

• Demonstrate the operational need for a facility of this scale.

• Provide a comprehensive assessment of potential tourism, economic, traffic, environmental, and community impacts.

• Specifically evaluate potential impacts to Tubac’s International Dark Sky designation and the region’s night sky resources.

• Hold meaningful public meetings and provide opportunities for community input.

• Evaluate less intrusive alternatives that could address legitimate safety and operational needs without creating an unnecessarily large permanent facility.

Border security, international commerce, tourism, and quality of life are not mutually exclusive. We believe necessary security and infrastructure improvements can be accomplished while protecting Tubac’s accessibility, economy, environment, character, and visitor experience.

Tubac has thrived for generations as a place of history, culture, commerce, and hospitality. We intend for it to remain open, welcoming, and easy to visit for generations to come.

Until the scope and necessity of this proposed expansion are fully disclosed and justified, the Tubac Chamber of Commerce cannot support the project as proposed.

Arizona Daily Star Coverage

The Arizona Daily Star recently reported on the proposed expansion of the I-19 Border Patrol checkpoint near Amado, including concerns raised by Santa Cruz County officials, residents, the agricultural industry, and the local tourism community.

READ THE FULL ARIZONA DAILY STAR ARTICLE

https://tucson.com/news/local/border/article_69e1814a-96d6-4aa5-8b3b-ecc8881966c9.html

For anyone who missed the presentations Gary Brasher has made recently regarding his intention for a high-density housing development just across from De Anza Park, you can see his plan below.  It includes 18 homes on 2.745 acres immediately west of the park.  Heads-up Tubaqueños!

[Barrio Concept E.jpg - Google Drive](