Tucson’s mayor and council unanimously approved the expansion and modernization of the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, a project that will partially demolish and renovate parts of the downtown landmark to improve accessibility, add seating and secure its future as a cultural hub.

The theater, located in the Downtown Tucson Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will undergo expansion under a plan known as Vision 2030. The project includes demolishing the adjacent building at 27 N. Stone Ave. but will not affect the theater’s historic designation.

Vision 2030 will add 300 seats and a two-vehicle drop-off zone along Stone Avenue. It also includes:

• Expanded lobbies with upgraded bars, concessions, catering and service areas.
• Elevators and additional accessible restrooms for both historic and new spaces.
• A second entrance and grand corner footprint.

Theater officials said the plan will help diversify revenue streams and meet community demand. If it hadn’t been approved, the Fox planned to sell the 27 N. Stone Ave. property.

The proposal took two years to develop, with input from experts and hundreds of community stakeholders. It received unanimous support from the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission in June.

Laura Acosta, a frequent visitor and donor, told city leaders last week that while she’s always admired the Fox’s natural acoustics, accessibility issues and cramped lobbies make modernization necessary.

“We have always loved the theater music and Broadway shows,” Acosta said. “However, we have come to realize that the Fox is not only in need of maintaining its history, but is definitely in need of more space.”

Catherine Morton, a member of the Fox Theatre’s board of directors, shared similar sentiments, saying accessibility has long been a challenge for patrons.

“History is not preserved in isolation of the changes around it,” she said. “It must meet the moment and the moments of the future.”

Morton recalled when the Fox Film Theatre closed in 1974 and didn’t reopen for 25 years, warning that a lack of updates could threaten its future again.

She said the expansion will also allow for more youth programming and opportunities for local artists.

Ian Stash is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at istash@arizona.edu.

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