By Amanda Hunt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Residents south of campus, sweating the possible demolition of their houses, may not be coming home to a new parking lot after all.
According to Bob Lane, president of the West University Neighborhood Association, it is becoming more hopeful that the residents may keep their property for a little while longer.
For several weeks, the association and homeowners in the 800 to 900 blocks of East Sixth Street have been fighting to save eight homes from destruction. The university wants to acquire the property to add to the planned 385-space lot near the new Environmental and Natural Resource Building.
"The university seems to have backed off," Lane said. He said he thinks this may only be a temporary move by the UA, but added that the future of the homes in question is looking brighter.
The association will meet at a press conference Thursday to discuss the results of negotiations that have taken place between university officials, property owners and representatives from the surrounding neighborhood associations. According to Lane, the association made several proposals and the university made a counter proposal, and alternate plans will be discussed.
The neighborhood association will also address the Arizona Board of Regents in the afternoon at their first meeting of the school year in the UA Student Union. Regents will discuss the Comprehensive Campus Plan which impacts the Sixth Street area.
Bruce Wright, senior officer for economic development and community affairs, said in an earlier interview with the {Wildcat} that the university has planned to demolish the homes since 1967, when the university boundaries were outlined. In 1988 the university came up with its comprehensive plan, which included the demolition of the eight homes.