Sonoran Institute to Relocate to Downtown Tucson - 01.06.2011

Sonoran Institute to Relocate to Downtown Tucson

Westwide Conservation Group to Set up Headquarters at 44 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson, ARIZONA – The Sonoran Institute announced today that it will relocate its headquarters from the East side to downtown Tucson. Working with Fletcher McCusker and Providence Service Corporation, the Institute plans to renovate the third floor of the former Federal Court House Annex at 44 E. Broadway Blvd. to use as its new Westwide headquarters.

“Moving our offices to downtown Tucson celebrates the core mission of our organization, which promotes Main Street and urban revitalization as vital conservation objectives,” said Luther Propst, executive director of the Institute. “This move also makes financial sense for the organization, since it will allow us to consolidate office space and improve the efficiency of our operations as we prepare for future growth.”

The relocation will involve moving about 20 full-time employees to the downtown office. Founded in 1990, the Sonoran Institute is a leading Westwide conservation organization that has staff and offices in Phoenix; Bozeman, Montana; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico; and, Sheridan, Wyoming. The Institute employs 45 employees and has an annual budget of about $5.3 million.

Propst indicated that the precise date of the move has not yet been determined, but will likely be in March or April 2011. “Our employees are very excited about the downtown move since it reduces commute times for most, and opens up new public transportation options for our staff and visitors.”

“This is a win-win for the Institute and for the downtown community,” said Denny Minano, vice chair of the Sonoran Institute Board of Directors and a board member of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc. (TREO). “The Institute is pursuing a sustainable approach to their move by re-using an existing office space, and downtown Tucson gains another vibrant organization as part of its community.”

“I am delighted to play a role in enticing the Sonoran Institute to join the downtown Tucson business community,” said Fletcher McCusker, CEO of Providence Service Corporation. “The nonprofit Sonoran Institute adds new diversity to the growing number of businesses opting to move to the city center.” McCusker is also a member of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

The Sonoran Institute inspires and enables community decisions and public policies that respect the land and people of western North America. The Institute is a nonprofit organization that is working to shape the future of the West. For more information, visit www.sonoraninstitute.org