Helping Tucson neighborhoods fill vacant lots and fix decaying buildings – the Small Scale Development Movement

TUCSON, Ariz. - May 19, 2020 - PRLog -- How do we make sure development benefits locals? How can we create a place where people want to stay, return, and contribute? One idea according to the Tucson Small Scale Development Coalition is "incremental development" – small-scale real estate projects by locals that strengthen their neighborhood, one step at a time.

This may seem obvious because it's the way great places have always been built, but when was the last time you met someone who built a triplex or an independent shop (and lived upstairs)? How come new development rarely seems to fill in or fix up existing neighborhoods? Times have changed, and sadly that has made the local, small-scale developer a rare breed.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, starting at 9:05 a.m., Zach Yentzer of 1030 KVOI AM Radio's "Tipping Point" will host his first interview in a series dedicated to the ecosystem of doers building up neighborhoods incrementally with small buildings. Yentzer's first guest is Jim Kumon, executive director of the Incremental Development Alliance, a national nonprofit providing a training workshop later this October to local entrepreneurs and civic leaders.

Covering vacant lots, existing buildings, great neighbors, skilled tradespeople, local businesses, and a love for this place, series guests will discuss re-learning the lost art of building our own neighborhoods – because we want locals to be the first to benefit from development. If you've ever thought of owning a building that earns an income, either by housing neighbors or a small business, or if you'd just like to better understand how the development process works, this special installment of "Tipping Point" is for you.

To listen online, visit https://www.kvoi.com/onair/tipping-point-with-zach-yentzer. To call in a question, dial 520-790-2040.