Arizona Public Media Breaks Ground on New Tucson Broadcast Center

Arizona Daily Star article published on April 28, 2024

Written by: David Wichner

Arizona Public Media, the public broadcasting service of the University of Arizona, broke ground Tuesday, Jan. 23, on its new headquarters and broadcast center on Tucson’s south side.

The 61,500-square-foot Paul & Alice Baker Center for Public Media at the UA Tech Park at The Bridges, near South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street, will feature upgraded technology to meet future technical and broadcast requirements, including 4K High Dynamic Range TV production and a new television broadcast standard.

“The establishment of this public media facility underscores our commitment to fostering an informed and united community,” said Gene Robinson, AZPM’s chief operating officer. “This facility will be a platform for students to be trained, voices to be heard, stories to be shared and ideas to flourish.”

Above: From left: University of Arizona Foundation President JP Roczniak, Holualoa Companies Founder and Chairman Mike Kasser, Linda Lohse of the Tucson Foundation, namesake donor Paul Baker, UA President Robert C. Robbins, Thomas R. Brown Foundation President Sarah Smallhouse, project donor Dan Kautz, and Arizona Public Media CEO Jack Gibson at the groundbreaking for the Paul & Alice Baker Center for Public Media.

Photography credit: Chris Richards, University of Arizona

AZPM, which operates three television stations, four radio stations and a number of digital services, is hosting a $65 million capital campaign to fund the project.

After raising more than $56 million from donors and estate gifts, AZPM launched a public campaign in September 2023 to secure the remaining funding.

The building is the newest upcoming addition to the 65-acre Tech Park at The Bridges, which is part of a larger, 350-acre, multi-use development that also includes residential and retail.

AZPM is currently located in the basement and sub-basement of the university’s Modern Languages Building. The station also produces a variety of original local productions, a news release said.