Blocks #5 and #6

Because these next two blocks seem to have a common theme, I am going to talk about both in the same post.

Our neighborhood is lucky to have an eclectic mix of residents who personalize their homes in different ways. This variety in styles, colors, decorations, landscape and architectural features is part of the uniqueness that differentiates Blenman-Elm from some of the newer Tucson subdivisions. Walking through the neighborhood, you will not come across the same house twice. This lends visual interest that is much more stimulating than if most of the houses were the same. There is something new to discover around every corner.

For example, residents here take great pride in personalizing their entryways...

...with unique gates or doors...

...or interesting landscape features...

Color is also a great characteristic of Blenman Elm. People here use bright colors as accents to their homes or to paint the entire home....

Periwinkle...

...and deep red-umber are just a few of the vibrant shades that make up our neighborhood.
On a side note, I've dreamt of living in a neighborhood where everyone plants fruit trees in their front yard and we all share in the harvests. This house's orange tree is one step in that direction.

And, on the northeast corner of block 6, this estate has often been a bit mysterious to me, with it's deep setback and grand appearance. It looks as if it has been here from the start of the neighborhood, as it sits on a much larger parcel than most of the other homes. What's more, their yard is an amazing wildlife habitat, with dense, thorny cover and many native species.


It would be great to hear from the residents...what is your favorite thing about living in the Blenman Elm neighborhood?

Blocks 5 to 7

Blocks 5 to 7 are a combination of two residential blocks and Saint Peter and Paul Catholic school. It is bordered on the west by Campbell Avenue across from the University Medical Center.

**It's been a long time since I have posted to the Block by Block project and I appologize. My work load is really picking up with my thesis, so I suspect that it will be a bit harder to find time to post. I am going to try to post at least once a week from now on...more if I can fit it in.

Hope that you still come around and leave comments!

A Short Break

Hello neighbors and blog readers,
I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I'll be away for a few weeks during Christmas. If you don't see any blog posts to this site, it's not because I have forgotten about it. I will try to resume posts as soon as I return. Thanks for understanding and have a happy holiday season!
Kim

Block #4

Block 4 is a very diverse block made up of a variety of historic residences and interesting features.

This nicely planted sidewalk off of Norris Avenue is flanked by a row of Sweet Acacias. The trees are well placed to offer shade to pedestrians and reduce the amount of harsh western sunlight that hits the house. It is a good strategy to save money on electricity bills.

If you are interested in planting trees to reduce your energy bills, the Trees for Tucson Organization offers inexpensive, native trees for your yard. Homes built before 1979 may receive up to 4 trees, while those built after that date may receive 2.

This Indian Fig Prickly Pear fence works well to provide privacy in your yard and is a good alternative to building a wall. The transparency allows for better views to the street, giving the opportunity to greet neighbors. It is also easier for wildlife to maneuver and provides them with food. Historically, these vegetative fences were common.

If you are interested in plants, like me, or would like to grow food year-round, this is great example of a nice-looking greenhouse. The steel gate is also appealing, with the transparent wire mesh that affords privacy, yet visibility.

Mixing the old with the new can be a difficult challenge, but this home on Mabel pulled it off well. The modern steel door is a nice complement to the old brick.

Mature street trees can undoubtedly add to the character of a neighborhood, and this stretch along Mabel does just that. Both sides of the street are lined with beautiful Palo Verde trees that shade practically the entire street. This greatly helps to reduce the effects of urban heat island and is amazing when the trees bloom bright yellow in the spring.

On Placemaking

University Avenue Farmers Market

The current newsletter from People for Public Places has some interesting articles on placemaking. In their articles, they emphasize the importance of historic neighborhoods to the overall identity and livability of a place. The first states:

"Communities and regions abound with local wonders that too often are hidden away or taken for granted. While cities lavish money on big-ticket projects like sports arenas, concert halls, and shopping complexes, true gems like historic buildings, scenic landscapes or neighborhoods that actually define communities receive little investment or protection.

Instead of being prized and supported, these places are often strip-mined for a quick economic return with no regard for what happens to the environment or community as a whole. Citizens who oppose misguided development, such as strip malls ripping up historic neighborhoods or beloved countrysides, are criticized as anti-growth. But what these groups are really trying to do is protect the value of their region’s unique and irreplaceable resources, which sets these areas apart as places where people love to live. In truth, citizens protecting their community are pursuing their own economic development strategy—one that is far more likely to make a city or town competitive in the New Economy of the 21st Century.

These community efforts are central to the vision of Placemaking, and make up an important part of Project for Public Spaces’ work around the world."

If you would like to read more click here for the article above and here for a second article about thriving communities in tough economic times.

Block #3

Whether or not you attend this church or attend church in general, there is something about having a gathering place such as this in the neighborhood that adds to the sense of community and identity. Perhaps it is the notion of people coming together to worship, the activity it adds to the street, or the reminder of days gone by when churches, mosques, temples, etc. were often the centerpiece of a neighborhood or town. First Savior's Church was founded in 1945 when Rev. Albert Alsop, and 21 community members came together for worship. Shortly after, they bought the lot where the church stands today for $3500. You can see a more detailed church history and some historic photos by going to their website here.

While walking around the backside of the church, I noticed this volleyball court, basketball court, and playground. It's too bad that it's fenced off because it could be a nice place for neighborhood children to share with members of the church. But, with the current atmosphere of excessive litigation in this country, I suppose I can't blame them.
The Norris House contains the Young Adults Ministry of Our Savior's. They spent two years renovating the house, and did a wonderful job of preserving the historic character. Below is a picture of the hand-painted tiles that flank the house and are a compelling part of Tucson's historical identity.

And as an added touch for this block, I thought I would point out the small patch of rosemary and prickly pear that is providing some wildlife a bit of cover. The bees also enjoy rosemary a great deal, and with all of the trouble they have been in lately, every little food source helps.

Block #2

One unique characteristic of our neighborhood that hearkens back to the earlier days of Tucson are the alleys. While the utilitarian aspect of these alleys offers a functional purpose and the possibilities of quirky discoveries, I often wonder, what if they became even more?

And this vacant space...can we dream of the possibilities it may hold?

A lone prickly pear...even by itself it can offer a much appreciated refuge to birds and lizards. With a few more shrubs around it, a mini-habitat could be created.

There are 44 vacant lots (as of 2003) in the Blenman Elm neighborhood. I would like to hear some ideas or dreams, however far fetched, of what those spaces could become. Any thoughts?

Block #1

This block is comprised of a large parking lot, commercial buildings, the Lutheran Ministry, and a couple of homes.

At the entry to the parking lot is some dense, ground hugging vegetation made up of mostly native or near-native plants. It's a good example of making every space count, and I noticed several lizards and a few birds making use of it.
On the edge of the alley between the commercial buildings and the parking lot, a natural succession is beginning where some pioneer plants like Desert Broom and Mexican Palo Verde are taking root. It's part of the cycle of reestablishing the desert, and I suppose a reminder that natural cycles are working all around us. This house is a good example of the beautiful mortar washed red brick that makes up many of the homes in the neighborhood. Notice the nice details around the door and window and the depth to the textures on this home.

Blocks 1 to 4

The edges of the Blenman Elm neighborhood are flanked by commercial and community buildings. The four blocks on the northeast corner of Speedway and Campbell are no exception. This is something I have come to appreciate as it buffers residences from noise and traffic and also gives us destinations within walking distance. These blocks are the beginning of the exploration.

Urban Wildlife

Although the Blenman Elm neighborhood lies in central Tucson, it is fortunate to have quite a bit of urban wildlife. While walking through the neighborhood it is fairly common to see Gambel's quail, northern cardinals, Gila woodpeckers, cottontail rabbits, ornate tree lizards, hummingbirds, butterflies and much more.
We know the diversity of wildlife in our neighborhood can't be compared to that found in the natural desert, but it does do fairly well when equated to surrounding neighborhoods. This we should be proud of. It gives us a sense of belonging to the Sonoran Desert in which we make our home. It's also exciting to watch the wildlife...the quail with their little top-not that bobs as they scatter...the hummingbirds and their high pitched chirp fluttering from flower to flower...the stately Northern cardinal calling to its mate...

There are some good reasons the wildlife likes our neighborhood. We have many mature trees, both tall exotics and the natives of shorter stature. Both are extremely important for nesting and cover.
There are quite a few yards that maintain a native landscape; lawn is sparse.

Lower growing shrubs are extremely useful to ground loving wildlife like the quail, rabbits, and lizards. They use it to escape predators and even nest.
Thanks to places like the Arizona Inn and other neighborhood stewards, we have some remnant patches of the old creosote flats that once occupied this area. I believe these are one of the main reasons that so much wildlife exists here.
We are fortunate to share our neighborhood with this wildlife, but it should not be taken for granted. As our old trees begin to die and other vegetation reaches the end of its lifespan, it is important that we replace these, especially with natives.
And while we are doing good, there is always room for improvement. Many bare patches exist. There are swaths of gravel where there could be cover for lizards...there are non-native African Sumac where native mesquites could thrive. We have the ability to make this neighborhood even better...for us and wildlife.

I'd like to hear about your experience with urban wildlife. What's your favorite or the most interesting wildlife you have seen in our neighborhood?