Keeping Tucson’s barrios beautiful
David Garcia is the founder and owner of Barrio Restoration, a small business in Tucson providing affordable landscaping and street beautification for local neighborhoods and a member of Local First Arizona.
David Garcia, founder of Barrio Restoration
“We're taking it upon ourselves to create respect in the hood by keeping it clean,” Garcia said on a recent cleanup day. “What you see behind me is cleaning up here in the Rose neighborhood on 12th Avenue, where we're taking back the streets and taking ownership again.”
Not only does Garcia’s crew of local teens and adults improve the look of the community, they create community too.
“When I see dirty curbs and trash, I see an opportunity to create relationships with neighbors and talk to folks about what it means to take ownership,” Garcia said. “It's all about reinvesting, building relationships and building a stronger community.”
Creating ‘curb appeal’
Through the “Curb Appeal Membership” program, homeowners pay $19.99 per month and receive mowing, weeding and clearing of debris from their property line to the street, as well as the properties on either side of their home.
Other services Barrio Restoration provides include:
Neighborhood cleanups
Yard cleaning
Yard and garden maintenance
Tree trimming and removal
Landscaping
Irrigation
Hauling junk removal
Fence design and installation
‘Doing good for the hood’
Art is also incorporated into Barrio Restoration’s work.
Used tires are recycled and spray-painted into colorful planters and faux cacti. Neighborhood events turn bland walls and asphalt into canvasses for brilliant murals.
Before
Currently, Barrio Restoration is focused in the area south of 22nd Street and west of Tucson Blvd, in the neighborhoods of Rose, Fairgrounds, National City, West Lamar, Sunset Villa, Barrio East of Pueblo High School, Las Vistas, Western Hills and the City of South Tucson.
Being a part of Local First’s business coalition
After
Garcia says Local First Arizona has helped his business grow.
“Our relationship with Local First has been very positive,” he said. “They've been trying to help us get funding and exposure. I really appreciate being a part of this group and their willingness to help us out.”
The mantra Garcia lives by is to “respect, don’t neglect.”
“We have to respect and protect our barrio,” Garcia said. “We are cleaning up, making connections with our vecinos and creating relationships. The future of our barrio depends on its people.”
To schedule a free landscaping estimate from Barrio Restoration, call 520-443-1187 or email barriorestoration@gmail.com.
Find more small businesses in Tucson with Local First Arizona’s Business Coalition Directory.
