TUCSON, ARIZONA -- The Rio Nuevo Board of Directors advanced a project to help make Rocco’s Chicago Style Pizzeria one of the first new tenants of the Sunshine Mile redevelopment project along East Broadway.
The restaurant will move about a half-block west to the Solot Plaza into a 6,000-square-foot building at 2635 E. Broadway that’s about three times the size of its current location at 2707 E. Broadway.
The new location, designed by Intertech Architectural Interiors, will feature a large group party area and a designated bar area. Pizzeria owner Rocco DiGrazia said his business has rapidly grown after a sign on the restaurant’s marquee went viral and an appearance on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
The Board unanimously agreed to proceed with the financing of the project, which includes a $500,000 loan for renovations, a lease of up to 25 years and a rebate on site-specific sales tax.
The Sunshine Mile is an effort to improve and upgrade Broadway Boulevard between Euclid Avenue and Country Club Road and bring new life to the gateway into downtown Tucson.
In other business, the Board voted to hire Swaim Associates as the Project Manager for the $65 million plan to renovate and upgrade the Tucson Convention Center and surrounding campus, including the Tucson Music Hall, Leo Rich Theater and the Eckbo Plaza and Fountain. After a recommendation by Phil Swaim, the Board then voted to hire GLHN Architects & Engineers to do the design work for the exhibition hall and meeting rooms.
The Board also voted to allow some Rio Nuevo-owned parcels on the West Side to be included in a coordinated area plan by the City of Tucson. Those parcels could include the Carrillo House and land near A Mountain, including West Mission Lane. Board member Mark Irvin made the motion, which was unanimously approved, provided that it would be part of a larger, comprehensive plan for the West Side.
More information on these projects and Downtown can be found at RioNuevo.org.