Mac Hudson is president of the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association.

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By Mac Hudson and Matt Skroch

Menlo Park neighborhood grew up around the base of "A" Mountain, known by the Tohono O'odham as Chuk:son — the birthplace of Tucson. This birthplace is now undergoing a renaissance of redevelopment: the new-urbanist, mixed-use Mercado District; the UA Science Center/Arizona State Museum; the infrastructure of new streets connected to a new Santa Cruz River bridge; and the western terminus of a modern street car.

The next development in line in our historic neighborhood is 15 acres of vacant land west of the Santa Cruz River and south of Congress Street. After a year of meeting at kitchen tables, front porches and large meeting rooms, the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association has generated a consensus guiding vision for these 15 acres.

Menlo Park envisions the creation of an urban environment Tucson has yet to embrace. We advocate for smart growth principles — compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly mixed-use development with a range of housing choices. We want to see sustainable growth and green building that improves our neighborhoods and lessens its impact on the earth.

With the 21st century likely to bring us climate change, drought and high energy costs, it's time for Tucson to mainstream sustainable design and plan for a future where the average commute consists of a nice morning walk or public transit instead of 45 minutes in traffic.

Whether existing or new, Tucson needs safe, convenient neighborhoods with homes people can afford. We cannot let the unintended consequences of redevelopment's good intentions force people from their homes or prevent them from buying homes. Working families need as many options as possible to choose to stay in their neighborhoods whether through property-tax assistance, housing rehabilitation or the construction of affordable housing.

Our 15-acre site needs to have a considerable amount of permanently affordable housing. In a recent survey of 477 Tucsonans, nearly one-third indicated they would consider Downtown as a residential destination if they had options for housing at prices they could afford. We understand the need to recoup development costs with high-end units, but let's bring balance to a housing market that has left many Tucsonans without a shot at the American dream.

Downtown Tucson needs a public market where green grocers, butchers and bakers offer locally owned, locally produced foods and goods — a place where local vendors, artisans, restaurateurs and other micro-businesses offer goods and services to visitors of the nearby cultural plaza/museums in addition to current and future residents. Places designed for people draw people, and we suggest a permanent public market for the site.

A diversified market is a component of Rio Nuevo's master plan and is found in many other vibrant downtowns. Public markets do require upfront costs to develop and stabilize for the first few years. Libraries and parks also require investment — they are a public resource, just as this market would be.

Small businesses account for 80 percent of all jobs, and a public market could support local economic growth while providing needed goods and services.

Let's rethink our urban design and create a lasting legacy of livable, affordable and vibrant niches within our neighborhoods and throughout our city.

As Tucson continues to sprawl, our quality of life diminishes. Menlo Park wants to see the birthplace of Tucson give birth to the next generation of affordable, sustainable and enjoyable living.