TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Storm to Shade, a green stormwater infrastructure project on Tucson’s southside, is entering Phase II.

Construction has been ongoing along 12th Avenue between Irvington and Drexel since September 2025.

The city of Tucson has been working to remove portions of asphalt and replace them with native vegetation to harvest rainwater for irrigation. Officials said this will provide shade and improve the environmental quality of the area, but some local businesses said those tradeoffs haven’t been worth it.

The project aims to add more green space to the urban landscape. Xochitl Coronado-Vargas, Storm to Shade’s Public Outreach Coordinator, said it will also better shade sidewalks, create wildlife habitat, and further the city’s sustainability efforts.

“We’re taking a

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