We've been working behind the scenes for four years with a stellar team of architects, bankers, brokers, engineers, investors, lawyers, lenders, Tucson officials, and my absolute favorite Tucson Ward Councilor to be able to finally make this announcement:On October 16, 2014, we officially acquired the 6.5 acre parcel of land at the corner of I-10 and 22nd Street in Tucson, Arizona for $1.6 million. (This is the site of our show) The deal is done. It could not have been accomplished without the support of my wife Miev, my sister-in-law Li, brother-in-law Cheng, my Darden Business School buddy Ramesh, family and new & old friends, and the spectacular A-Team comprised of Randy Emerson, Rob Paul, Ken Perry, Keri Silvyn, and Jim Whitehill. But all would have been for naught without Ward Councilor Regina Romero's vital support, who championed our proposal over that of our competitor who bid $138,000 higher but offered an uninspiring development plan. Our plan will let the City of Tucson boast of an iconic new 22nd Street Co-Op building that will become ground zero for the Tucson Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Showcase for decades to come.
We plan to break ground on the stunning $12 million 22nd Street Co-Op in February 2016. The 150,000 sq. foot edifice will be comprised of (86) 20' x 40' selling rooms on the first two floors that dealers will own outright (structured as a business condo), while the top 3rd floor will be a year-round event space. However, come gem show time, the top floor will host the high-end Annex of the 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show, which will also continue in its existing 100' x 600' tent. Therefore, dealers will soon have a choice to own their venue in Tucson's premier location, or choose between renting a booth in the high-end top floor Annex of the 22nd Street Co-Op, or in the more affordable 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show tent.
Upon project completion there will be space for 500 dealers. The sales office for the 22nd Street Co-Op will open in January in Tucson. More info to come!Kind regards,Lowell CarhartEons Expos, LLLP – Partner22nd Street Land, LLC – CEOOur Shows:www.2014HolidayShow.com (Dec 5-7, 2014)www.22ndStreetShow.com (Jan 29-Feb 15, 2015)www.NY-NJ-Show.com (April 10-12, 2015)www.DenverColiseumShow.com (Sept 12-20, 2015)
Can you imagine what this will mean to vendors of larger items - Geodes - Cathedrals - Metal Sculpture....etc.
"...dealers will soon have a choice to own their venue in Tucson's premier location, or choose between renting a booth in the high-end top floor Annex of the 22nd Street Co-Op, or in the more affordable 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show tent."The the images above and the following are from the formal proposal and truly show the opportunities provided by this groundbreaking concept!
Info on the 2015 Tucson Show: http://xpopress.com/22ndST-show-schedule.html
22nd Street Show on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tucson22ndStreetShow
About Eons Expos: http://www.22ndstreetshow.com/about_eons_expo.php
