Cities Civil and Municipal July 2024 Public Sector

Bisbee, Arizona

July 29, 2024

Bisbee, Arizona

Bridging History and Modernity in Arizona’s Most Eclectic Town

Expertly preserving its rich history while embracing modern growth, fostering community ties, and enhancing tourism through innovative initiatives.

Sheltered by the Mule Mountains of southeastern Arizona, Bisbee blends its rich historic charm with a vision for modern growth. Once a thriving mining hub, Bisbee has evolved into a vibrant community known for its preserved architectural beauty, artistic spirit, and unique cultural events.

Mayor Ken Budge is passionate about maintaining Bisbee’s historic essence. “We have a Design and Review Board that oversees any redesign or construction requiring a building permit,” he explains. This board ensures that any new development aligns with the town’s historic character, a feature that attracts both residents and tourists alike. “The ambiance of Bisbee is something we all cherish, and it’s crucial to keep that intact,” he emphasizes.

“We sell ourselves as the most eclectic city I’ve ever been in,” Mayor Budge declares. This uniqueness is what draws a diverse group of residents and visitors. The town’s atmosphere blends elements that feel both European and distinctly unconventional. “We don’t accept things the way everybody else does. We’ve always been the little outcast, the dot of blue in a sea of red,” Mayor Budge explains, referencing Bisbee’s progressive stances in a predominantly conservative county.

“We were the first city in Arizona to ban plastic bags and to become a WaterSense city, emphasizing our environmental consciousness,” Mayor Budge highlights. The town also made early strides in civil rights by passing an ordinance for civil unions before same-sex marriage was federally recognized.

Balancing preservation with modernization is a central theme in Mayor Budge’s vision. He highlights an impending surge in growth tied to the new port of entry at Douglas, less than 30 miles away. “The new port will bring significant commerce, and not everyone will want to live in Douglas. Bisbee offers a charming alternative,” he notes.

Strategic Investments and Community Partnerships

Bisbee’s future is being crafted with a strategic focus on infrastructure improvements and robust community partnerships. The town has secured nearly $22 million in grants over the past three years, and Mayor Budge elaborates on the various initiatives funded by these grants.

“A significant portion was allocated to Camp Naco and our multi-use path, which supports a more pedestrian and bike-friendly community.” This focus on walkability is part of a broader effort to encourage a healthier, more connected lifestyle for residents.

Environmental sustainability is another priority for Bisbee. “We’re moving forward with recycling initiatives while many others are stepping back,” the mayor points out. The town has acquired a glass crusher to repurpose glass waste into sand, which can be used locally. “This not only reduces waste but also creates a useful resource for the community,” he adds.

Infrastructure projects continue to be a focal point. “We’re replacing bridges in Moon Canyon, planning further bike paths, and installing solar panels for City Hall,” Mayor Budge says. Additionally, Commerce Street, which runs over a drainage ditch, is slated for necessary repairs. Historic preservation also receives attention, with upgrades planned for one of Bisbee’s historic buildings and its unique glass sidewalk.

Partnerships with local businesses and neighboring communities are pivotal to Bisbee’s economic development. “We engage in numerous public-private partnerships,” Mayor Budge explains. The town-owned museum, managed by a nonprofit, exemplifies this collaborative approach. During the pandemic, Bisbee supported its nonprofits, recognizing their vital role in the community. “We provided over $200,000 in grants to about 35 nonprofits, acknowledging their contributions to making Bisbee what it is,” Mayor Budge states.

Innovative Housing Solutions

Addressing the need for affordable housing is a top priority in Bisbee. The city has launched various projects to revitalize neighborhoods and make homeownership accessible to essential workers. City Planner Melissa Hartman highlights the unique characteristics that make Bisbee special.

“Where else can you find an award-winning library, the oldest ballpark, historic preservation, and a quaint farmers market all in one small town?” she asks. This quintessential small-town essence drives the city’s housing projects.

One of the city’s standout initiatives involves partnering with a nonprofit to transform vacant or abandoned homes. “We get a donation of a vacant or abandoned home, which helps address blight and revitalize neighborhoods,” Hartman explains. The nonprofit, funded partly by donations and partly by volunteers, renovates these houses from top to bottom. “They become beautiful homes in old neighborhoods, bringing the entire street back to life,” she adds.

The city plays a crucial role in these projects by waiving building fees and obtaining all necessary permits and reviews. Once renovated, the homes are sold at 20% below market value to essential workers, including city and county employees, firefighters, police officers, teachers, and hospital staff. “If you live in Bisbee, you should be able to afford a beautiful home in Bisbee,” Hartman states.

In addition to these renovation projects, Bisbee runs a homeowner repair program funded by federal grants. “We do up to $15,000 in repairs on older homes in designated colonias neighborhoods,” Hartman notes. This program has already seen significant success, with about 45 home renovations completed or underway.

Affordable Housing and Zoning

As Bisbee continues to address its affordable housing challenges, the city is exploring innovative zoning changes and leveraging grants to support housing development. City Planner Hartman provides a comprehensive look at the current housing landscape in Bisbee.

“Our median household income has increased to about $43,000 a year for a family of four, but 57% of households earn $50,000 or less annually,” she notes. The cost of renting is also a significant burden, with 80% of rental units exceeding $500 a month and nearly half-priced between $1,000 and $1,400. This creates a challenging affordability gap for many residents.

The city is revising its zoning and code enforcement to address these issues to allow for more affordable housing options. “We’re working on an overlay zone that permits smaller lot sizes in designated areas,” Hartman explains. This change would enable the construction of smaller units, such as duplexes or triplexes, on lots that currently require larger single-family homes.

The concept of tiny homes and manufactured homes is also being explored. “We’re helping a constituent develop a tiny home community and looking at new HUD regulations that make manufactured homes more aesthetically compatible with existing neighborhoods,” Hartman says.

Another strategy employed is incentivizing developers. Hartman highlights a tiered system for reducing and waiving building fees based on the affordability of the housing units. “If a developer commits to building houses at 90% or below the median income, we’ll reduce the building permit fees by about 20%,” she explains.

Heritage Tourism and Cultural Preservation

Bisbee’s dedication to heritage tourism and cultural preservation is further exemplified by its initiatives at Camp Naco, a historic site that tells rich, diverse stories. Brooks Jeffery, strategic planning consultant with the Naco Heritage Alliance, sheds light on this project.

Camp Naco, though located in the unincorporated town of Naco, is a Bisbee-owned property that plays a crucial role in the city’s heritage tourism. “It creates one star in this constellation of cultural destinations,” Jeffery explains. Authenticity is the cornerstone of Bisbee’s approach to heritage tourism. “You heard the mayor talk about eclecticism, and while it’s hard to legislate that through zoning, it takes leadership,” he adds.

The camp, a former military encampment from the Mexican Revolution border effort, stands out for its unique characteristics. “It’s the only remaining camp of its kind, made out of adobe, which gives it a real character and sense of place,” Jeffery notes. The camp’s history includes being a station for the Buffalo Soldiers during the 1910s and 1920s. This historic context provides a platform to tell broader stories, from military history of the Mexican Revolution to the experiences of the Buffalo Soldiers and even Paleoindian human settlements due to a nearby mammoth kill site.

Jeffery emphasizes the importance of creating programming that honors the past while addressing contemporary issues. “We don’t want to create a Disneyland. It’s about honoring the past and creating contemporary programming that talks about racism and social justice while discussing the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers,” he asserts. This approach aims to provide a holistic view of history, tying in the ongoing narrative of human migration in a border community like Naco, Arizona.

Significant financial support has facilitated these initiatives. “We received $8.1 million at the end of 2022 after Camp Naco was listed among the 11 Most Endangered Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation,” Jeffery mentions. This funding is allocated to rehabilitate the buildings, develop community programming, and ensure the site’s organizational sustainability. The project is in the second year of a four-year grant cycle.

Enhancing the Tourist Experience

With its vibrant art scene and unique historical character, Bisbee is keen to attract more tourists and enrich their experience through strategic initiatives and events. Heather Andrews, the tourism director, outlines the city’s multifaceted approach to increasing tourist numbers and revenue.

Bisbee’s marketing strategy targets adventure seekers, art and culture enthusiasts, and those looking for year-round experiences. “Summers can be slow because people think it’s too hot, but we’re ten degrees cooler than Tucson and twenty degrees cooler than Phoenix,” Andrews points out. The city promotes itself as the “other mile-high city,” boasting cooler temperatures than Prescott.

To bolster this effort, Bisbee is enhancing its online presence. “We’re updating our website and working with travel influencers and bloggers,” Andrews explains. Interestingly, Bisbee doesn’t pay these influencers. Instead, they offer tours and experiences, leveraging the town’s natural appeal. “We have so many great photographers, including our city manager, so we use our local resources, which helps with budget constraints,” she adds.

On must-see attractions, Andrews struggles to narrow it down. “The Queen Mine Tour is phenomenal. Visitors go underground and experience what it was like to be a miner,” she says. She also praises the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate with an entire second floor curated by the Smithsonian. “It’s phenomenal,” she emphasizes.

Beyond these popular spots, Andrews encourages tourists to explore Bisbee’s distinct neighborhoods. “Lowell hasn’t changed; it’s like stepping back in time with its old police station, gas station, cars, and buses,” she describes. Efforts to preserve and enhance these buildings are ongoing, adding to their historical charm.

Jeffery adds his perspective on Bisbee’s unique architecture. “There are multiple Bisbees,” he says, referring to the diverse character of each neighborhood. “Old Bisbee’s layout is organic and looks like an Italian hilltown, while Warren was laid out in a formal City Beautiful movement style for white-collar workers with individual bungalows and a large axial park,” Jeffery explains. Lowell offers a nostalgic commercial street front reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s, and San Jose presents a suburban feel. “Each area has its own distinct built environment, giving it a unique sense of place and character,” he concludes.

Together, these efforts showcase Bisbee’s preservation of its rich heritage while inviting new visitors to experience its diverse attractions and vibrant community.