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Neighbors oppose Circle K relocation license; council recommends denial after hearing
Summary
Residents, business owners and medical offices protested a proposed Circle K location‑transfer liquor license at Grant & Craycroft citing public‑safety, litter and childcare proximity concerns; council moved to recommend denial after extensive testimony and evidence of high call volumes in the area.
Tucson — A proposed location transfer of a Circle K liquor license drew sustained neighborhood opposition at the Aug. 19 council meeting, where residents, medical professionals and neighborhood organizations urged denial.
Circle K representatives described a modernization plan: a larger, better‑lit store with 24/7 camera systems, staff training (restricted‑sales training twice per year), roving security and partnerships with community organizations. Company operations staff emphasized safety investments and trialed interventions such as LVT remote surveillance units and cashless policies at night.
Neighbors and nearby professional offices told council they experience repeated tampering, broken windows, loitering, used drug paraphernalia, and human waste near existing convenience stores and bus stops; physicians and business owners said the new location sits adjacent to medical offices and a childcare facility and would add to safety and litter problems. Tank of Verde Valley and neighborhood associations also raised environmental concerns about underground fuel tanks near washes at a separate Circle K site.
After nearly two hours of testimony, Councilmember Paul Cunningham moved for a recommendation of denial; council supported that direction, citing saturation of licenses (21 within one mile), local call‑for‑service data and an absence of sufficient community assurances and commitments from corporate owners.
What comes next: The city’s licensing recommendation will go to the state liquor board as part of the licensing process. Neighbors and Circle K indicated openness to further dialogue on mitigations such as behind‑the‑counter alcohol, roving security, site redesign and trash/litter controls.
