Once again, the ill-conceived Desert Discovery Center/Desert Edge (DDC) is dividing and hurting Scottsdale. That’s the only clear takeaway after last night’s Scottsdale City Council hearing. To explain what happened allow us to provide a little history. Scottsdale Stadium has been an integral part of downtown for decades. It’s there that legions of baseball fans from San Francisco and the … Read More
Reminders Why The Desert Discovery Center Is An Over The Edge Loser
As noble opponents of the ill-conceived and politically toxic Desert Discovery Center/Desert Edge continue their impressive volunteerism to force a public vote on the project we thought it would be helpful to remind readers why their efforts are justified. We have not been shy about our opposition to this wholly unnecessary white elephant over the years and wanted to summarize … Read More
Desert Discovery Center Community Workshop
By: Virginia Korte The city of Scottsdale and our nonprofit partner, Desert Discovery Center Scottsdale, Inc., invite you to a public workshop regarding the proposed concept for the Desert Discovery Center. Please join us as we introduce you to our experience designer – Thinc Design – and architect – Swaback Partners. They will be leading you through a workshop that … Read More
Is Scottsdale’s Long-Discussed Desert Discovery Center Necessary?
Whenever someone talks about a renewed commitment to impressive vision in Scottsdale the proposed Desert Discovery Center for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve usually comes up. As envisioned it would further enlighten preserve visitors and hikers, and aid Scottsdale tourism efforts. There is such a thing as an idea whose time has come. There are also those ideas whose time has … Read More
How About A Desert Discovery Bridge Rather Than A Center?
The Arizona Republic recently featured an impressive “land bridge” near Oro Valley, Arizona to facilitate highway crossings for wildlife and reduce car accidents with them. Here is a link. It prompted an idea. Why not pursue something similar in Scottsdale for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve which is bisected by Dynamite Boulevard? It would be far less costly than the proposed … Read More
The Desert EDGE is Rooted in Scottsdale's History
by Scottsdale City Councilwoman Virginia Korte Great communities like Scottsdale often share qualities that make them special — including a strong economy, a vibrant downtown, an excelling community college and public school system, engaged citizens and civic and political leaders committed to keeping the city moving in the right direction. However, one of the few shortcomings of living in the … Read More
Community Leaders Support the Desert EDGE
by Desert EDGE Advocates The Honorable Paul Messinger The Seven Wonders of this Great Community The accomplishments that separate Scottsdale from other Valley cities: 1. Modifying the Indian Bend Wash into a very successful flood control project and great open space and parks project 2. Scottsdale putting its electric utilities underground and requiring fire sprinkler systems in all buildings built … Read More
Some History of the Desert EDGE
By Scottsdale City Councilman David Smith Dear Friends… During the recent Council work study session on the Desert EDGE project, I summarized the history of events that has led to locating a Discovery Center in the preserve, at the Gateway on Thompson Peak Parkway. A few listeners asked me to share that chronology. It’s a long history, so hold your … Read More
ASU Center to teach community about thriving in a desert
Partnership between ASU, Scottsdale’s Desert Discovery Center to produce research, exhibits about local environment There’s nothing new about Arizona residents looking for sustainable ways to live in the desert, but a recent United Nations report has made the matter a worldwide concern. Because of climate change, the UN says that by 2030 almost half of the global population will be living … Read More
Discovering A Desert Vote
The proposed Desert Discovery Center is one of those ideas that’s been around a long time. Like wine, some think this is cause to savor the idea further. Once envisioned as something like an environmental Disneyland it has morphed into something more akin to a duplicative Desert Botanical Garden. Some on the Scottsdale City Council like Linda Milhaven, Virginia Korte … Read More