Road widening and Phoenix-ization? (Tucson, Marana: renting, shop, bus)

[mrsgreeniemama]

Hi guys, I am a long time Tucsonan who moved away a few years ago. I am planning a soul-refreshing visit in May and I am just curious:

Have there been a lot of changes to the roads, businesses demolished, stuff like that? There was some nasty stuff underway when I left (Austin's closed, the sandwich shop that was open since 1959 and I worked there for a couple years...did they relocate?) And I just heard that Magic Carpet is gone too. Anyhow, I am just trying to soften the blow in case I have expectations for visiting my old haunts only to find them paved over.

I MUST visit Rocco's on Broadway, the Grill downtown, the bars on 4th Ave (notice an eating and drinking theme here?) and I'm hoping to use good old Sun Tran for most trips. I am renting a convertible just for the weekend during my week long stay, and it wouldn't be a real Tucson experience without some bus rides.

If you guys have any faves that have disappeared, I want to hear about those too.

Thanks!

[haaamean]

Originally Posted by mrsgreeniemama

Hi guys, I am a long time Tucsonan who moved away a few years ago. I am planning a soul-refreshing visit in May and I am just curious:

Have there been a lot of changes to the roads, businesses demolished, stuff like that? There was some nasty stuff underway when I left (Austin's closed, the sandwich shop that was open since 1959 and I worked there for a couple years...did they relocate?) And I just heard that Magic Carpet is gone too. Anyhow, I am just trying to soften the blow in case I have expectations for visiting my old haunts only to find them paved over.

I MUST visit Rocco's on Broadway, the Grill downtown, the bars on 4th Ave (notice an eating and drinking theme here?) and I'm hoping to use good old Sun Tran for most trips. I am renting a convertible just for the weekend during my week long stay, and it wouldn't be a real Tucson experience without some bus rides.

If you guys have any faves that have disappeared, I want to hear about those too.

Thanks!

Austin's relocated to E Broadway and they're now across from the Park Place mall. It's a good thing because their ice cream is irreplaceable.

As for the road changes...ha. I 10 is the biggest change, just stick to the frontage roads coming from the airport unless you want to end up in Marana before you can get off. As for the rest of town, I don't think anything has been done.