Circling back to roundabouts in Scottsdale

September 25, 2017

25 Sep 2017

Circling back to roundabouts in Scottsdale

By Jennifer Banks, Public Information Officer, 480-312-7517

September 20, 2017

George Williams admits he was pretty lukewarm about roundabouts when he started working for the city of Scottsdale.

“I thought of them as a small tool in the toolbox,” said Williams, Scottsdale’s principal traffic engineer. “They had their place here and there.”

But after encountering impressive national and international data on roundabout safety at conferences and workshops, Williams began to pay them more attention.

0 Comments/in scottsdale-city-news /by Kevin Maxwell

City’s financial future needs attention now

September 21, 2017

21 Sep 2017

Scottsdale’s quality of life is only as strong as its financial structure; and it is critical that its financial structure be sustainable. Scottsdale residents and businesses enjoy an outstanding quality of life, including a combination of low taxes, high services and high property values. It is a trifecta that requires support and continuation.

Like most good things, however, nothing lasts forever without awareness, foresight and a willingness to reinvest in the community.

Over time, Scottsdale residents have taxed themselves to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and to pay for the city’s infrastructure such as roads, parks, water and wastewater treatment and fire and police protection. But infrastructure needs are mounting with no current means to pay for all the work that is needed. There is no consensus on bonding on the city council and there has been no public will to pass bonds for such work.

While the operations budget generally is considered to be sufficient, it is not capable of handing the capital improvement work that needs to be done; although some argue that current revenue should fund those projects, others say that is impractical. There are many projects vying for city council attention. Most all of them are expense related items, in need of funding, from the Scottsdale Stadium, to WestWorld to parking issues, to Desert EDGE.

Few revenue-generating projects are in the pipeline and although Scottsdale has benefited from historically increasing sales tax revenues, it cannot be assumed that such revenue stream will continue indefinitely. The city also needs to deal with its underfunded public employee, including police and fire, pension commitments.

This puts finances at a dangerous crossroads – if the city is to maintain the investment needed to keep Scottsdale special. Most city residents have no idea of this and what it may mean for their future.

Here are some of the issues affecting the city’s future in the years ahead. We will examine these issues in the weeks ahead.

–A currently underfunded police and fire pension program

–Scottsdale Stadium

–WestWorld

–Desert EDGE

–Multiple downtown proposals

–Parking issues

–Transportation issues

0 Comments/in General /by Laraine Rodgers

Scottsdale forging resilient economic vitality path

September 14, 2017

14 Sep 2017

Given the many forces that affect Scottsdale’s economic vitality, the need for partnership, collaboration and shared vision is imperative to maximize efforts for a healthy city.

Recruiting diversified businesses and high paying jobs is a key component of Scottsdale’s economic development department’s five-year plan. The results to date are notable, especially in direct economic impact to the city as measured in new businesses and new high-average wage jobs.

The City Council has recognized the department’s efforts and supports ways to continue to attract, retain and grow diversified businesses and increase revenues and jobs.

In a recent Scottsdale Independent article, Scottsdale’s economic development Director Danielle Casey presented her group’s mission and work to local Rotarians. In order to assess and incorporate relevant information from trends, city development activities, and employment corridors including the Airpark, Downtown, Cure and McDowell areas, she reaches out to many groups to hone and align tactics.

Other cities are competing for many of the same businesses with high-paying jobs. Scottsdale’s many attributes combined with the city’s collaborative economic development approach is proving to be a winning formula.

More: http://www.scottsdaleindependent.com/news/scottsdale-economic-picture-rosy-but-city-not-immune-to-commercial-vacancy-trend/

0 Comments/in Economic Development /by Laraine Rodgers

Scottsdale votes to fuel economic engine

September 11, 2017

11 Sep 2017

The approval of Scottsdale Fashion Square’s expansion reaffirms the importance of this major contributor to the City’s revenue base and quality of life.

Sales tax is critical to the funding of city services for residents. A jewel in downtown Scottsdale, Fashion Square retail generates total annual sales over $650 million dollars and contributes about $13 million dollars in sales tax a year about 7% of the city’s sales tax revenue per the Downtown Scottsdale’s Economic Vitality Coalition.

For decades, Fashion Square, owned by Macerich, has delighted residents and visitors with its offerings including world-class and unique shopping, dining and other entertainment/retail outlets. While many malls and retail centers across the country have closed, Fashion Square continues to thrive. In addition to Scottsdale’s natural beauty, Fashion Square is a key amenity that draws tourists to our city and enriches citizen’s experiences as well.

The new project, according to the Scottsdale Independent, approved by both the Development Review Board (DRB) and Planning Commission before Council gave it the nod this week, will be market-responsive and proposes additional retail, a 200-bed hotel, multiple towers up to 150’, increased open space, a grocery store and office/tenant use over the next five years.

As a long-time Scottsdale resident and homeowner—south, central, downtown and north—I have watched the transition from a Goldwater’s anchored outdoor mall to the world-class destination experience that Fashion Square has become. Current trends show that multiple generations have embraced the urban resurgence spurred by distinctive downtowns, and our downtown continues to be distinctive. Macerich, has continued to update, renovate and expand their Fashion Square property to sustain and grow its value for our city, residents and visitors over the last 50 plus years. Their newly approved proposal reflects their commitment to being market-responsive in support of our vitality and quality of life requirements.

The approval of the Macerich/Fashion Square expansion showcases the city’s ability to address what’s important for the continued and enhanced vibrancy of Scottsdale. Their actions demonstrate forward thinking, community engagement and provide a learning opportunity about the need for vision, process and action.

0 Comments/in Economic Development /by Laraine Rodgers

Companies expanding in South Scottsdale

August 22, 2017

22 Aug 2017

A number of technology companies recently have moved their operations to SkySong and others have expanded and are growing operations there – another sign that South Scottsdale is one of the city’s vibrant communities—again!

Yes, South Scottsdale is the newly revitalized gateway to Scottsdale, anchored by SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, and rich with business opportunities, jobs, restaurants, recreation areas, living and lifestyle options and more. It’s a far cry from the Los Arcos Mall anchor and car dealerships mecca when I moved to my first home in south Scottsdale in the 70s and a welcome upgrade of this former commercial site which had lost its luster and value. Read more →

0 Comments/in Economic Development /by Laraine Rodgers

Treasures in the desert

July 26, 2017

26 Jul 2017

Taliesin West is one of Scottsdale’s treasures. I am on the board of stewards there, so you know I think that way. But I have never heard anyone say anything but that!

If anything, I wish more locals knew it was here and made a point to visit. Their new summer schedule should help. Related story.

But if we could turn back the years for a second, I wonder what kind of reception Frank Lloyd Wright would get if he were alive today and wanted to build Taliesin West in the desert of north Scottsdale. Would the vocal, and often nasty, reaction to the as-yet unveiled Desert Discovery Center prevent a project like Taliesin West from ever taking root and becoming a Scottsdale jewel? Would those who object to the DDC strictly on grounds that it would “ruin” the preserve be so vocal?

The circumstances are different today with the DDC, but it does give pause to consider…

0 Comments/in General, Taliesin West /by Don Henninger

Scottsdale airport improvements

July 26, 2017

26 Jul 2017

The Scottsdale airport is vital to our community, and in 2014 contributed about $500 million to the city’s revenue stream. The airport continues to be a stellar community resource and a hub for business, tourism and community amenities.

Scottsdale airport redevelopment is taking off on a one-year project fulfilling the demand for additional hangars, restaurant and meeting space. To honor our heritage as the city moves toward the future, there will also be a veteran’s memorial with a vintage Stearman PT-17 biplane as its centerpiece. This historic plane arrived at the Airport April 2017, piloted by Steve Ziomek, airport advisory committee commissioner, who was also a part of the planning team. Related story.

My earliest memory of the Scottsdale airport is a small terminal and one hangar north of my first home here mid-1970s. I’m impressed with the continued leadership, partnership and community collaboration around the airport. I see how we have worked together as a role model to advance economic vitality and quality of life in Scottsdale.

–Laraine Rodgers

0 Comments/in Scottsdale Airport /by Laraine Rodgers

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