concept image by Rafael Viñoly Architects, PC

Economic Impact Study Concludes Housing Science Center in Iconic Structure Will Have Dramatic Impact on Tucson Economy

By City of Tucson and The University of Arizona

December 20, 2005

A study released today by an independent research firm shows that the City of Tucson and the State of Arizona will reap enormous economic benefits if The University of Arizona’s Science Center is housed in an iconic structure at Rio Nuevo. The marriage of a world-class science center with a visually dramatic structure will bring to the region approximately 5,000 new permanent jobs, generate annually more than $360 million in economic activity, and generate millions of dollars in new non-property taxes for the region and the State.

According to the report by the highly respected economic research and consulting firm, ConsultEcon, Inc., the project is expected to:

- Create approximately 5,000 permanent new jobs in the City of Tucson and Pima County

- Annually generate $362 million in direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts in the City of Tucson and Pima County, of which $123 million will account for salaries and wages

- Annually generate $18.6 million in new, non-property tax revenue for the City of Tucson and Pima County, the State of Arizona, and other counties/municipalities.

Over 80% of these impacts are attributable to the iconic nature of the architecture because of the visibility it brings to the science center as well as the large number of out-of-state visitors the structure itself will attract. The benefits resulting from this project are expected to have long-term impact on local, regional, and statewide economies.

The science center project is a collaborative effort between The University of Arizona and the City of Tucson. Upon seeing the images of the proposed iconic bridge structure by critically-acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly in the course of designing the science center, the University decided to determine whether the project’s increased cost and scope would be justified by the economic benefits it would bring to the City of Tucson and Pima County, as well as to the State of Arizona. This independent economic impact study concludes that the project will serve as a catalyst for expanding Tucson’s economic and community development, tourism, and national profile.

“The study outlines a significant opportunity for Tucson,” said Peter Likins, president of The University of Arizona. “This project gives us the potential to capitalize on the inherent strengths of Tucson; the positive implications will reach every aspect of our community, simultaneously enriching our culture and our economy. We enthusiastically present this independent study for consideration by the City of Tucson and look forward to continuing a partnership with the community.”

Marshall J. Vest, Director of the Economic and Business Research Center, Eller College of Management, commented: “The feasibility study, which was professionally prepared by an independent research and management firm, shows that the project will be a major attraction that generates significant revenues. It will have an impressive positive impact on the local economy.”

“We’re pleased to receive the report. This study is very promising in terms of the project’s potential for Tucson,” stated Mike Hein, Tucson City Manager.

The study provides research and analysis of the economic impacts of the proposed structure that will serve as a landmark for the City and region. The structure will also function as a pedestrian bridge and become a centerpiece for the Rio Nuevo development.

The economic impact detailed in the University’s independent study is directly attributable to the groundbreaking architecture of the structure itself. Under the direction of architect Rafael Viñoly, the design has evolved from a bridge to a visionary iconic structure, in part to improve the project’s impact on the community’s landscape as well as its economy.

“This is a project born out of the desert Southwest,” says Dino Sakellar, a noted and long-time Tucson architect. “The rainbow-inspired design takes your breath away; it inspires you. Both the design and its plans to ‘tread lightly’ on the environment are inspirational.”

According to the study, the icon will encourage higher tourist market penetration rates, offering a “must-see” attraction due to its architecture. Additionally, the report highlights economic gains in other cities that have been exclusively attributable to the iconic architecture of their cultural institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and the Milwaukee Art Museum, among others.

“This project is visually stunning. It will further encourage visitors to attend the science center and embrace its wide range of educational opportunities,” said Alexis R. Faust, Executive Director of The University of Arizona’s Flandrau Science Center. “Now the economic impacts of this project can be just as powerful as the educational impacts.”

A copy of the full economic impact study conducted for the University is available at http://www.flandrau.org/rionuevo.