Request for Information - Redevelopment Ideas for the Joel D. Valdez Main Library

To inspire a broad range of visionary and context-sensitive responses, the City encourages respondents to consider the following guiding themes and design considerations: Urban Context & Public Realm Activation of Jácome Plaza and street frontages as vibrant, shaded, and welcoming public spaces appropriate to a Sonoran Desert city. Integration with the surrounding downtown environment, enhancing walkability, connectivity, and civic presence. Adaptive Reuse and Redevelopment Potential Creative approaches to reimagining or redeveloping the existing Property Components. Mixed-use opportunities that may include residential, commercial, retail, civic, cultural, or educational functions. Future-Oriented Infrastructure Consideration of evolving mobility, including shared, electric, and autonomous vehicles. Potential reuse or reconfiguration of the underground parking garage. Integration with future transit improvements. Sustainability and Resilience Environmentally responsible site planning. Water stewardship, heat mitigation, and climate-adaptive design. High-performance building systems. Community & Cultural Value Opportunities to foster inclusivity, civic engagement, cultural programming, and public amenities, including, and not limited to, a new cultural center occupying up to 40,000 square feet of new or existing space, a commercial kitchen, arts/music classroom space, and a concert space. Strategies to preserve or reinterpret the civic identity of the site and surroundings. Zoning and Dimensional Standards No minimum setbacks No maximum lot coverage No maximum density No minimum parking requirements 300’ maximum building height Respondents are encouraged to interpret these considerations broadly and to propose bold, context-sensitive concepts that advance Tucson’s cultural, economic, and civic life. Information Requested Respondents are invited to submit a written narrative (maximum 6 pages), with optional accompanying visual materials, that addresses the following: Conceptual Use Ideas - Proposed mix of uses, programming, or activities. Community Impact – Describe how the concept could contribute to the vibrancy, identity, and economy of Downtown Tucson. Financing & Partnership Models – Describe partnership, joint venture, leasing or other structures that would facilitate transformation of the site. Design Approaches – Renderings, diagrams, or other visual materials that illustrate the concept are recommended, but not required. Reuse of existing materials or prior project examples is welcomed. Next Steps The City will host a site tour and Q&A session Friday, February 6, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library. All interested parties are requested to register in advance, as space is limited. Register at the following link: https://ticketbud.com/events/7cdec70a-f301-11f0-b302-42010a7170e1 The City intends to showcase selected responses in a physical and/or digital exhibit within the Joel D. Valdez Main Library or adjacent public facility, and provide public recognition of respondents through press releases, social media, and official City communications. Select responses may be highlighted by the City for their creativity, feasibility, and civic value through public presentation, exhibition, and media features. Recognition does not constitute selection or preference in any subsequent solicitation. The RFI process is intended solely for information gathering. Submissions will not be competitively evaluated or scored. Following review of responses, the City of Tucson intends to undertake a competitive RFP process to identify a development partner or team. If a subsequent Request for Proposals is issued, all parties submitting responses to this RFI will be notified.