Tony Carrillo has a big vision and big plans for St. Augustine Cathedral - and for downtown revitalization and Latino youth.
Carillo’s older brother, Monsignor Arsenio S. Carrillo, 78, provided 40 years of service to the cathedral before retiring.
  
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St. Augustine recently got a new coat of paint and soon visitors will see additional improvements in the placita, or little plaza, and social hall.
Tony Carrillo, 71, is spearheading a fundraising effort to turn St. Augustine Cathedral’s antiquated placita into the honorary Monsignor Arsenio S. Carrillo Placita and to renovate the adjacent social hall in its original design. The placita and hall were originally constructed in 1915.
Carrillo sees the project as an integral part of the renovation being planned for downtown. He hasn’t received any money raised through Rio Nuevo’s tax increment financing, which only goes for public infrastructure projects. But Carrillo’s done well in fundraising and moving plans along for the project. To date, he’s raised $750,000 with another $350,000 still needed to complete the project.
Working with a 34-person fundraising committee, Carrillo has received help from two companies: Rossetti Construction and Valenzuela Drywell, both of which are doing work at half their normal costs. Work has already started on 11 handicapped-accessible restrooms near the social hall adjacent to the placita.
Two mariachi concerts also helped raise money. One featured singer Vikki Carr, actor Aida Cuevas and Mariachi Cobre, a group formed in Tucson that now performs at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center in Florida.
Carrillo is looking for sponsors in hopes of holding another concert in October.
In addition, he said, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas plans several fundraising events at his home.
But Carrillo hopes more local businesses will get involved as well, and the project offers several opportunities.
The placita, also already under construction, will feature an attractive outdoor bandshell-style wrought-iron performing stage with designs of butterflies and birds, and a paved patio that can seat 600 to 700. The patio will have 12,000 colorful "pavers." Local businesses or individuals can buy blocks of 25 pavers with their name engraved on the surface for $350. A block of 1,200 pavers is already in Phoenix ready for delivery, Carrillo said.
Another fundraiser is selling wrought iron panels, at $2,000 each, that will become part of the stage, again engraved with the donor’s name. The Carrillo family has purchased one of these panels.
Carrillo said once the renovated placita and social hall are completed, it will be open for public use.
"It’s the only safe, clean, adequate facility for youths and seniors in the whole area," Carrillo said.
He said it will be ideal for weddings, quinceañeras and other events. The social hall has a large kitchen and dining room as well as a ballroom with a stage.
Another use for the newly renovated facilities — and close to Carrillo’s heart — is as a meeting place for youths involved in mariachi groups, just as Carrillo was as a youth. He sees the social hall being used for rehearsals and shows and the placita serving as a venue for big outdoor performances.
He said too many Latino youth currently show poor academic performance and drop out of school. Carrillo believes that getting youths involved in music brings focus, discipline and a positive attitude. As an example he points to the success of the nationally-recognized Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) program involving 17,000 students in 36 schools in the Tucson Unified School District.
Carrillo said he believes the Cathedral is a top tourist attraction for downtown visitors.
He remembers the day in his youth when downtown had five theatres and the streets were filled with nightclubs, restaurants, activities and people. He’d like to see that happen again.
Contact reporter Ed Egger at eegger@azbiz.com or (520) 295-4238.
Contribute to St. Augustine
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
2250 E. Broadway
Tucson 85719
Contact Tony Carrillo at eslotten@comcast.net or (520) 760-5003.
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