Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson
Donovan Durband 6th Avenue Underpass
We celebrate that the purpose of the Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson Foundation was fulfilled in spring 2025.
The project selected to honor Donovan’s work for the city of Tucson was the renovation of the 6th Avenue Underpass.
Thanks to the many people and organizations who provided the financial resources for the work, and to the dedicated city personnel whose labor brought the work to fruition, the Donovan Durband 6th Avenue Underpass was dedicated on April 10, 2025.
Prior to that date, the underpass was cleaned and painted, new lighting was installed and panels displaying 2 x 3 foot postcards of Tucson’s history and culture were installed. The postcards selected were from Donovan’s personal collection, and in four of them, the artist Stephen Farley photoshopped Donovan into them with permission granted by the Historical Commission. Donovan’s wife Erin is also photoshopped along with him in one of the panels.
All of the panels are viewable by foot traffic as well as by drivers passing through.
Additionally, as the following photographs depict, tributes to Donovan for his vision and for his dedication to Tucson’s revitalization have been placed on each of the walls lining the underpass.
WHO DONOVAN WAS
Donovan Dean Durband was the much beloved husband of Erin Durband, and much beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin, friend and colleague to many, many people when he passed away on June 3, 2023.
He was a fun-loving guy whose smile and laughter sparked joy in those around him. Donovan had a mind that worked overtime and he remembered more than most of us can imagine. So he continued to pursue degrees and options for learning about a wide variety of topics his entire life. He loved the New York Yankees, the Arizona Wildcats, photography, traveling widely, and being a student of all things related to the history, culture and artistic vibe of Tucson.
After graduating from the University in Arizona with both a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and an M.S. in Urban Planning, Donovan got right to work in doing as much as he could in planning and developing the quality of life in Tucson, the city that had captured his heart and his imagination.
So much more could be written, but for the purposes of introducing you to the Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson private foundation and why his family and friends want so much to honor his legacy, you will find quotes from those who worked with Donovan closely throughout the years in the What Donovan Did section. That he gave of himself tirelessly for the common good and was a genuine public servant is certainly revealed in the tributes to him that follow.
Donovan professionally served Tucson in the following capacities:
- Executive Director of Tucson Downtown Alliance, May 1999 – August 2008
- Field Operations Supervisor, U.S. Census Bureau, September 2006 – December 2009
- City Council Staff for City of Tucson, Ward 6, December 2009 – January 2012
- Park Tucson Administrator, City of Tucson Department of Transportation, January 2012 – June 2023
WHO WE ARE
Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson is a private foundation formed by family members and friends to honor Donovan’s contributions to the revitalization and vitality of Downtown Tucson and the surrounding area. Donovan passionately and creatively exhibited leadership and worked collaboratively with partners in many sectors of the business and arts community of Tucson to revitalize Downtown Tucson. The Board of this foundation was formed to facilitate the funding of projects that aid in Tucson’s revitalization.
The Board consists of family members, friends, and Tucson city officials who serve to honor Donovan’s legacy, out of respect for him and a mutual love for Tucson revitalization.
The name of this foundation was purposefully chosen to convey the desire of family members and friends to honor Donovan’s legacy by continuing to actively support Tucson in his name. His earthly work is completed but projects he supported go on, so as this foundation is able to provide small grants in a very real way, Donovan continues to support Tucson.
Donovan and his wife, Erin, devoted themselves to supporting the restoration of Tucson’s historic architecture and the revitalization of its venues throughout the 30 years of their marriage.
presence is everywhere
WHAT DONOVAN DID
In the words of those who worked with Donovan closely, here are some of the many contributions Donovan made to the city of Tucson:
FOX THEATER
“Donovan and I met when he came to an early Fox Theatre Restoration committee meeting. We instantly became fast friends, and he supported the long journey from an abandoned theatre to our grand reopening in a number of ways. The Fox Theater, the Rialto, the streetcar, a lot of those things had a lot of high profile people involved. And then there’s the stuff that happened behind the scenes and Don was a big part of that.”
HERB STRATFORD
Historic Theater Consultant, Fox Theater Tucson
THE RIALTO THEATER
“I first met Don when my wife and I bought the decrepit Rialto block in 2002, long before the street car was even a glimmer in anyone’s eye and Downtown’s naysayers were legion. He was always a visionary, a genuinely righteous person, a true believer, intelligent and good-humored, a man of integrity. During my attempts to make things happen Downtown—and the mighty struggles entwined with those aspirations—Don was always there as a stalwart supporter, confidant, and friend.”
DOUG BIGGERS
Former Executive Director/Founder,
The Rialto Theater
TUCSON DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE
“I met Donovan over 23 years ago when he and I helped start up the Tucson Downtown Alliance. His leadership during these early years was invaluable to the success downtown Tucson is today. His encyclopedia knowledge of Tucson’s downtown history was amazing. He went out of his way countless times to help anyone who needed his expertise and guidance. He did so without need for recognition. He did so because he was a good person with a good soul. Over the last 20 years, there are many behind the scenes heroes, who have help turn Downtown Tucson around. Don was one of those heroes, one of the best! I am proud to have known him and call him my friend.”
MICHAEL CRAWFORD
Attorney
Find out more about Donovan’s incredible
contributions from first-hand accounts of those who worked along side him:
HOW YOU CAN DONATE TO CONTINUE DONOVAN’S LEGACY
As is evident, Donovan’s participation in the revitalization of Tucson has been widespread and deeply valued. Yet the need for revitalization along Sunshine Mile, the 4th Avenue District, the Mercado District and Downtown Tucson is ongoing. Therefore, the foundation is seeking funding to be able to offer matching grants to business owners and venue managers such as those Donovan and others have worked with in the past, to those who will upgrade their buildings to the aesthetic and historic standards that fit Tucson development. These renovations will benefit the city Donovan loved and served so well and will honor Donovan in the process. It is our honor to do our best to make that happen.
We invite you to participate in this ongoing work in gratitude for Donovan’s commitment and his extraordinary efforts and accomplishments in Tucson.
Here’s how you may join us in this endeavor:
Checks made payable to Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson may be sent to:
Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson,
2834 E Glenn Street,
Tucson, AZ
85716-2128
All financial contributions will be greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged in projects funded by the Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson private foundation. All donations are tax deductible, as the foundation is legally registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
THANK YOU
Thank you to all whose friendships have enriched and inspired Donovan’s life and to all professional colleagues who have partnered with Donovan in contributing to the renewed and renewing vitality of the beautiful city of Tucson.
Let us know your ideas, if you’d like to collaborate or even just to help!
Donovan Dean Durband Supports Tucson 