City of Tucson clearing out Santa Rita Park Wednesday morning

UPDATE (5:00)

Santa Rita Park will remain closed through Friday Sept. 24 for cleaning according to a city spokeperson.

The clearout started early Wednesday morning and the park was cleared before noon.

The city says that outreach teams from the government and their partners stopped by Santa Rita a couple times over the past month to alert those living there about the park closure and offer resources. The last time they went was week before the clearing began.

The city says they offered resources, including low barrier shelters, but no one took them up on the offer.

Mutual aid groups and community activists were also at Santa Rita offering food, water and resources.

Many of those who left Santa Rita said they were headed to a nearby wash.

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Sources and posts online say the City of Tucson hopes to close Santa Rita Park Wednesday morning as part of an improvement project years in the making.

A memo obtained by KGUN9 called the closure a "decommission".

The city has sent out urgent warnings about this particular plan though flyers that were placed throughout the park.

They say in part: "This area needs to be abated to preserve public health, safety, or welfare at a City of Tucson Park. You are hereby notified that you must remove all of your personal items and VACATE THE PROPERTY. This park will be closed for cleaning effective September 25, 2024 8:00 A.M."

Back in 2018 the city approved what was called Prop 407, essentially a $225 million bond. Out of this money, the city set aside $3 million to renovate Santa Rita Park, which includes upgrades to the bathrooms and now abandoned pool.

We will continue to keep you up-to-date on the situation throughout the day online and on-air.

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