A combination of $3.5 million in housing funds between HUD Section 202 and the City of Tucson along with a strong community effort by the residents of Barrio Viejo neighborhood and Catholic Community Services resulted in the adaptive reuse of a portion of historic Drachman School and the design of 63 units of new affordable elderly housing.

Extensive input from the public influenced the final design. A series of eight public meetings were held within one month with neighborhood residents. In an effort to include more neighbors, Spanish translation was provided. Neighbors were presented with five design options for the complex with different, building elevations, site plans parking configurations and cost estimates. Neighborhood support was essential for approval of a special overlay zone that would reduce the number of required parking spaces.

This project is compatible with this historic neighborhood design guidelines utilizing Sonoran architecture with both flat and hipped roofed buildings.

This design also meets the Tucson Electric Power’s Guarantee Program, which requires additional energy efficiency. This program will allow the project to receive a $30,000 rebate and a 20% discounted electric rate for a number of years.

Winner of the 2004 Sonoran Institute Building from the Best of Tucson, Urban Infill & Redevelopment.