The Burrito Files - One Year Later

It has been slightly over a year since I embarked upon a project to go downtown and ask people, "If downtown Tucson were a burrito, what would be in it?" I have talked to over 150 people of all ages and backgrounds and heard the full range of comments - from negative to funny to bizarre. Some people hate downtown but the majority love it and want to see it be better. Folks remember coming downtown to go shopping at the department stores, attend church services, get married, start a first job, view a first art exhibit, experience a first kiss, and so much more. I believe that these positive sentiments and memories can be tapped to move downtown forward in a way that both honors the history and embraces innovation.

Year one focused on collecting these thoughts and stories. My plan for year two is to review the interviews and come up with a format to talk about the project with City Council (as mentioned in my interview in The Tucson Citizen), downtown stakeholders, and the public. It is my hope that the voices of the public can contribute to preserving and improving the heart of Tucson.

Thanks to everyone for your participation and support! If you have any suggestions for presenting The Burrito Files to the community, please comment here!

P.S. This blog contains interviews from September 2008 to April 2009. Interviews from April 2008 to August 2009 are posted at the Downtown re:VISION blog.

The Burrito Files - Debbie

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? I live in Arlington, Texas. Lived in Tucson for 9 years.
What are you doing downtown today? Hanging out with my sister and visiting open studios.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Changed a lot.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Chile peppers, lots of cheese and beans, beans everywhere.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Went to my first art exhibit at a little gallery on Congress.
Interview and photo by Julie Ray at Open Studio Tour, C.O. Brown House, 3/14/09

The Burrito Files - Ali

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Most recently from Atlanta.
What are you doing downtown today? Exploring new venues and meeting people who are active in the community.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Struggling to emerge.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? A paste of history, cultural sauce, chopped opportunities, and diverse spices. Side dishes would be a market, movie theater, stores, dry cleaners.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? I guide tours downtown and it's been such a learning environment. It has changed my opinion.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts, 4/2/2009

The Burrito Files - Yvette

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No, California.
What are you doing downtown today? Working on my project.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Unique, history, dead.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? The history of Tucson.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Yes, I had a lot of my journalism experience at VOICES.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Yaritza

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? Yes.
What are you doing downtown today? Doing my digital story.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Nice, pretty, kind of small, sometimes it's crowded.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Carne asada.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? No.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Ana

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. California.
What are you doing downtown today? Storytelling.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Small, beautiful, colorful.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? Different kinds of food - Panda Express.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? Not really.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009

The Burrito Files - Laura

Are you a Tucson native? If not, where are you from? No. Born in Mexico, raised here.
What are you doing downtown today? Doing digital storytelling.
Describe downtown in 3 words or less? Colorful, diverse, busy.
If downtown Tucson were a burrito what would be in it? A lot of diverse spices from around the world.
Have any significant events in your life happened in downtown? When I was a sophomore I had a foklorico performance in downtown.
Photo and interview by Julie Ray at Community Storytelling Arts Digital Storytelling Workshop, March 29, 2009