In May, Arizona Public Media presented The Buzz live to audiences in Bisbee. The success of that event has inspired plans for additional live audience panel discussions throughout the region, focusing on timely topics important to the people of southern Arizona.
On July 24th, AZPM presented The Buzz LIVE at Dunbar Auditorium for a conversation about Gentrification and Changing Neighborhoods, a special part of AZPM’s series on affordable housing called “Finding Home.”
Cities across the nation are grappling with evictions, homelessness, and eroding communities as housing costs rise and wages stagnate. The same story is playing out in Tucson and Pima County. Host Christopher Conover moderated a discussion between panelists representing development interests, fair housing groups, and neighborhood associations.
Panel 1: Corky Poster, Architect and Principal Planner at Poster Frost Mirto; Betty Villegas, Former director of Pima County Housing Center; Jesus Bonillas, Co-founder of The Common Group
Panel 2: Debi Chess Mabie, Dunbar Springs Neighborhood; Scott Eagan, Bario Hollywood; Lisette DeMars, West University Neighborhood and Historic Fourth Ave; Gracie Soto, Barrio Anita
Watch the full discussion above or on Facebook. The 30-minute episode from this live conversation will air Friday on NPR 89.1 at 8:30 a.m. It will also be available on iTunes, NPR One and online.
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