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Neighborhood Snapshot

What: The Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association has about 580 homes and businesses and was registered with the city in 1992.

Boundaries: East Ajo Way, South Sixth Avenue, East Irvington Road, South Park Avenue.

Challenges: A graffiti problem makes neighbors suspect gang activities, said the association's secretary, Lupe Rodriguez.

Another problem is trash that's being dumped along the railroad tracks, she said.

Many homes are rentals with a high tenant turnover, and Rodriguez thinks that's why few people invest in the neighborhood.

Accomplishments: In the Home Repairs Projects, volunteers help neighbors in need by doing minor construction projects on their houses.

The volunteers, some of whom are from Pantano Christian Church, 10355 E. 29th St., Life in Christ Community Church, 102 E. Palmdale St., and Van Buskirk Elementary School also organize an annual cleanup that Tucson City Councilman Steve Leal participates in.

The neighborhood was awarded an $800,000 Back to Basics grant, which was used to establish a park and a safety corridor for students along South Second Avenue and East Michigan Drive, Rodriguez said.

Crime has dropped in the neighborhood over the last couple of years, though Rodriguez doesn't know why.

Meetings: Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of September, January and May, at Van Buskirk Elementary School, 725 E. Fair St.

Contact: Call Lupe Rodriguez at 294-7531.

South Side