Tucson's Urban Crisis: Business Owners Expose Downtown Crime, COVID Fallout, and Housing Gridlock | Wake Up Live Exclusive
Local business leaders reveal shocking details about prostitution forcing downtown closures, defying COVID mandates to survive.
Based on the Wake Up Live with Chris DeSimone for 3/11/25.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📻 A radio show in Tucson talked about three big things happening in our city. First, they discussed how there aren't many people trying to cross the border anymore because of new rules 🛑🗺️. Then, a gym owner 🏋️♂️ explained how he kept his business open during COVID even when he wasn't supposed to because he thought the rules weren't fair 🦠⚖️. Finally, a real estate expert 🏠💼 talked about how houses are expensive but not many people are buying them 💸, and why some businesses downtown are closing because people don't feel safe there 🚨🏢. The people on the show think Tucson could be doing much better if different people were making decisions for our city 🤔🏙️.
🗝️ Takeaways
🔑 While Tucson's resale home market stagnates with flat sales and rising prices, new home builders are offering creative incentives to offset 7% interest rates
🏙️ Downtown Tucson businesses like Hi-Fi are closing due to increasing issues with homelessness, prostitution, and public safety concerns that deter customers
🏋️♂️ Some Tucson business owners like Danny Sawyer secretly defied COVID shutdown orders, operating "speakeasy" style gyms by blocking windows and creating outdoor workout spaces
🛂 Border enforcement has dramatically reduced migrant encounters, with CBS reporter unable to find any asylum seekers during a recent border visit
📉 Tucson's industrial real estate market is thriving due to logistics demand and rates almost 40% below national averages
📊 Phoenix's economic development is outpacing Tucson's, with businesses owners attributing the difference to local political leadership and policies
Border Blues, Business Bruises, and Ballot Battles: The Wake Up Live Chronicles
Welcome, Tucson truth-seekers, to our deep dive into Chris DeSimone's latest broadcast—a desert dish of politics, pandemic perspectives, and property problems that'll have you nodding, facepalming, and perhaps reaching for a cool beverage faster than you can say "but the economy!"
Tuesday's episode served up conversations with two local business heavyweights who didn't mince words about our city's direction. Between border policy pivots, COVID retrospectives that'll raise your blood pressure and real estate revelations that might make you question your rental agreement, there's plenty to unpack in this desert heat of discourse.
Spoiler alert: If you love hearing about how everything wrong with Tucson can be blamed on Democratic leadership while conveniently ignoring decades of systemic issues and inequitable development patterns, this episode will scratch that itch. For the rest of us, let's read between the lines...
Border Beat: From Migrant Highway to Ghost Town?
DeSimone kicked things off by discussing the CBP One app's makeover under the Trump administration. What was once a tool for asylum seekers to schedule border appointments has been transformed into a self-deportation facilitator. How convenient! Nothing says "welcoming" quite like an app designed to help you remove yourself from a country.
Because apparently having desperate people figure out their own exit strategy is the pinnacle of immigration policy innovation.
CBS correspondent Camilo Montoya's border report painted a stark contrast to scenes from just months ago:
"We did not meet a single migrant or asylum seeker... We saw soldiers, border patrol agents, National Guard troops, and vehicles and barriers. But no migrants," Montoya reported.
DeSimone seemed delighted by this development, sarcastically noting how the female CBS hosts appeared "depressed" that Montoya "couldn't find anybody."
Heaven forbid we should care about the human beings behind the immigration statistics, right?
The segment conveniently sidestepped any meaningful discussion of the humanitarian dimensions of border policy or the complexities of immigration reform, instead focusing on the apparent "win" of an empty border zone. Celebrating militarized borders without addressing root causes felt like applauding a band-aid on a broken leg.
Danny Sawaya's COVID Chronicles: The Gym Owner Who Said "No"
The most compelling segment featured Danny Sawaya, owner of Tucson Strength, who joined DeSimone for what they branded a "COVID Day of Reflection" on the fifth anniversary of pandemic response measures.
Sawaya, sporting what DeSimone described as a "punchable face" (his self-deprecating words, not mine!), shared his journey from initial compliance to outright defiance:
"In the beginning, it was just so weird, the abruptness of it, how it came up and just the emotions of everyone. I had to play nice because if I didn't, then it was like... I mean, everyone was freaked out. And I shut my business down the first, I don't know, six weeks... But when they let us reopen again, and they shut us down the second time, I said, absolutely not."
His rebellion took creative forms: "We built a whole outdoor tent system, and we still let members train inside. We just didn't advertise it. We blocked our windows off so people couldn't see inside the gym."
The conversation revealed genuine frustration from a small business owner caught between public health mandates and economic survival. While some of his critiques landed—particularly about inconsistent rule application across business sectors—the dismissiveness toward broader public health concerns was troubling.
Funny how "personal responsibility" in a pandemic apparently included the right to potentially spread a deadly virus while working on those gains. But hey, at least those biceps were essential!
Sawaya and DeSimone reserved particular venom for former Governor Doug Ducey:
"Ducey, you know, he had a chance to really be a hero," Sawyer lamented. "He was looking for that money, you know, the government money... The day they closed down the gyms, I'm telling you, I was at my gym in Oral Valley... I've never heard so many people say the phrase 'F U Doug Ducey.'"
The pair also condemned vaccine mandates and mask requirements, with both suggesting without evidence that COVID vaccines caused premature deaths. This dangerous misinformation went unchallenged in the echo chamber of their conversation.
So much for "following the science" when it interferes with bench press records.
The segment turned toward the educational impact of pandemic policies, with Sawaya sharing his daughter's experience: "I'm expecting her to be online all day, like getting lectures and lessons. No, the teachers weren't doing that. Some days, she was done with school an hour and a half."
While this critique of remote learning implementation had merit, the solution seemed to be framed as "open everything" rather than "improve remote options" or "create safer in-person environments"—a false dichotomy that plagued policy discussions throughout the pandemic.
Hank Amos: Tucson's Real Estate Reality Check
The final guest was Hank Amos of Tucson Realty, who delivered a market assessment that would make any prospective homebuyer reach for the antacids.
"Residential is a tale of two stories," Amos explained. "You have the residential resell market, and you have the new home sale market."
He painted a picture of a market trapped in amber: sales flattened at around 15,844 homes (well below the previous average of 20,600), yet prices still rose 3.6%. The culprit? Interest rates hovering around 7% while home values remain stubbornly high.
"You can't have both. You know, one's got to go, right?" Amos noted. "Residential resell sales have been flat the last two years, and I think it's going to be flat again this year."
The numbers tell a story of growing inventory and slower sales:
Listings up 15% year-over-year
Days on the market increased to 27 days (up 9 days)
Homes selling for 1.8% below the asking price (compared to above-asking sales during the pandemic boom)
Remember when we thought the housing market would correct itself after the pandemic rush? Yeah, that's cute. Apparently, affordable housing is still a fantasy that is reserved for unicorn sightings and fairy tales.
The industrial market emerged as Tucson's lone bright spot, with logistics and warehousing driving demand. Amos attributed this to Tucson's strategic location: "We're at about $11 per square foot... The national average is about 18 bucks per square foot... So our rates are pretty attractive."
Great news! We may not be able to afford homes, but at least we can store stuff really cheaply!
Hi-Fi's Low Notes: A Downtown Closure Story
The conversation took a revealing turn when Amos discussed why he and his partners closed their downtown establishment, Hi-Fi.
"When we opened it, we were killing it. It was great," Amos recalled. "And Tucson was just downtown was on fire. We were on fire. Everything's really going well."
But the situation deteriorated: "The culture of downtown changed a little bit. The folks that were coming in on Fridays and Saturdays with a little bit of a rougher crowd that was coming through. And then, but then what ended up happening was that we had a big homeless issue that's circulating through downtown."
Amos described concerning scenes: "They were hitting certain areas where they were sleeping. So they would come and break in and sleep on our benches... We find out there in the parking garage next to Hi-Fi, there's prostitution going on... drug dealing going on, druggies, and guys whacked out. Then there's homeless all around our place. And we call the cops and say, hey, look, you got to get rid of all this stuff. There's nothing we can do."
This portrait of downtown decline included a personal anecdote about his wife being frightened by a homeless person after an ELO cover band concert at the Fox Theater, causing her to run into the street without looking.
It's almost as if homelessness is actually a housing policy and mental health services issue rather than a criminal enforcement problem. But that would require admitting that simply arresting people doesn't solve the underlying causes...
The Tale of Two Tucsons
The conversation between DeSimone and Amos culminated in a lament about Tucson's "decline" compared to Phoenix's growth, with both men placing the blame squarely on local Democratic leadership.
"Phoenix is one of the hottest markets right now... in the United States," Amos noted, describing the impressive development he observed along highways in the Phoenix metro area.
He emphasized Tucson's natural advantages: "We have the views. We have the desert. We have the beautiful weather. We have cheap labor. We have cheap real estate... We're at this intersection... I-19 and I-10... International border, 33 minutes south... Great mountain ranges... Research University. Raytheon... amazing food scene that punches above its weight."
Yet despite these assets, Amos concluded that local leadership has "gone out of their way whether they know it or not to screw it up."
Ah yes, the classic "Phoenix is crushing it" narrative that conveniently ignores their water crisis, extreme heat issues, and sprawl-induced infrastructure problems. But hey, who needs sustainability when you've got growth metrics!
The conversation became particularly heated when discussing the proposed Proposition 414 sales tax increase and Rio Nuevo district investments. DeSimone criticized a $2 million allocation to Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers at Park Place Mall, while Amos defended Rio Nuevo's overall impact on downtown revitalization.
"You go down, remember where Tucson was 10 years ago," Amos argued. "You could shoot a gun and not hit anybody. Downtown Tucson was a wreck... Empty buildings. It was horrible. Now downtown Tucson has a vibe to it."
Beyond the Blame Game: Finding Tucson's Path Forward
While the show presented a one-sided view of Tucson's challenges, the underlying issues they identified deserve broader community consideration. How do we balance economic growth with equitable development? How do we address homelessness and public safety while preserving our city's welcoming character? How do we compete with Phoenix's growth while maintaining our unique identity and quality of life?
These are complex questions that deserve nuanced discussions beyond partisan finger-pointing. Tucson faces real challenges—affordable housing shortages, infrastructure needs, homelessness, and business retention struggles. But these issues aren't unique to "Democratic leadership" as the show suggested; they're urban challenges faced by cities across the political spectrum.
The path forward requires bringing diverse voices to the table—business owners and housing advocates, developers and preservationists, public safety officials, and social service providers. Solutions will come from collaboration, not division.
A Tapestry of Possibilities
Despite the somber tone of this broadcast, Tucson remains a resilient community with extraordinary potential. Our challenges are real, but so are our strengths: a diverse and creative population, world-class educational and research institutions, stunning natural beauty, and a rich cultural heritage that draws people from around the world.
Progress happens when we meaningfully engage with different perspectives. Consider joining neighborhood associations, attending city council meetings, supporting local businesses, or volunteering with organizations that address homelessness, affordable housing, or economic development.
Tucson's future doesn't belong to any single viewpoint—it belongs to all of us who call this desert home. By bringing our diverse experiences and ideas together, we can create a community that honors our distinctive character while building opportunities for everyone.
What's your vision for Tucson's future? Do you see our challenges primarily as leadership failures or as complex issues requiring multi-faceted solutions? How can we balance growth and development with preserving what makes Tucson special?
Share your thoughts in the comments below—let's start the conversation our community needs.
Quotes:
"We still let members train inside. We just didn't advertise it. We blocked our windows off so people couldn't see inside the gym." — Danny Sawyer, describing how his gym Tucson Strength defied COVID shutdown orders
"We find out there's in the parking garage next to Hi-Fi, there's prostitution going on... drug dealing going on, druggies, guys whacked out. Then there's homeless all around our place. And we call the cops and say, hey, look, you got to get rid of all this stuff. There's nothing we can do." — Hank Amos, explaining why Hi-Fi nightclub closed downtown
"The cops should be able to take care of the issue from the very get-go." — Hank Amos, lamenting police response to downtown issues
"The problem is not Rio. The problem is the city of Tucson. It's the leadership that we have." — Hank Amos, on downtown development challenges
"Our budget blew up because they're spending all the money because we're not a sanctuary city, but we follow sanctuary policies, right?" — Hank Amos, on Tucson's budget issues
"She's like, I can't believe this. Like every day, we're calling the coroner. And that's the only thing she's like, they got vaccinated three, four days ago or a couple of weeks ago." — Danny Sawyer, making an unsubstantiated claim about COVID vaccines causing deaths in nursing homes
People Mentioned:
Chris DeSimone - Host of Wake Up Live, a conservative local radio personality who frequently criticizes Tucson's Democratic leadership
"I literally had a guy threatening me physically because of my COVID reality."
Danny Sawyer - Owner of Tucson Strength gym who defied COVID shutdown orders
"When they let us reopen again, and they shut us down the second time, I said, absolutely not. We're not shutting down."
Hank Amos - Owner of Tucson Realty and co-owner of the now-closed Hi-Fi nightclub
"Phoenix is one of the hottest markets right now... in the United States."
Doug Ducey - Former Republican Governor of Arizona who was criticized for COVID policies
"The day they closed down the gyms... I've never heard so many people say the phrase 'F U Doug Ducey.'" (DeSimone about Ducey)
Regina Romero - Democratic Mayor of Tucson, frequently criticized by the show's host and guests
"Regina Romero would shut down business again... they wouldn't have learned a damn thing." (Danny Sawyer)
Camilo Montoya - CBS News reporter who covered border conditions
"We did not meet a single migrant or asylum seeker... We saw soldiers, border patrol agents, national guard troops and vehicles and barriers."
Tom Hatt - Owner of Mountainside Fitness in Phoenix who fought against gym closures
"Tom was cool. He took on for all of us smaller gyms."
Fletcher McCusker - Chairman of Rio Nuevo Development District
"Fletcher was on it in a heartbeat... He pays the cops extra money than they normally would get to enforce everything."
Teresa Cullen - Pima County Health Director, who both DeSimone and Sawyer opposed
"It was amazing to write that speech, get up there, give that speech in front of her." (Sawyer on testifying against Cullen's confirmation)
Ron DeSantis - Florida Governor praised for COVID policies
"Whatever the DeSantis does in Florida, you do. If DeSantis does something, announce you're doing it two days later."
