Together we can make our great city even better

By Virginia Korte

As you probably remember, my family sold Chevys at the corner of Scottsdale and McDowell Roads for 28 years. So I had firsthand experience of the ups and downs of the McDowell Road Corridor.
Because of my deep roots in this great area of our city, I am proud of our efforts to revitalize Southern Scottsdale, including the new businesses that have located here and the pride existing businesses have taken in improving their properties.
SkySong and the more than 1,500 employees who work for the scores of companies at the facility have also played an important role in restoring the prominence of the McDowell Road area.
Recently we learned that four restaurants are soon to be built on the property which will not only cater to SkySong employees – but also those who work and live in nearby neighborhoods. Last week we received even more good news: A Starwood hotel is going to be built at SkySong.
The 120-room hotel, which will be located in the southwest area of the property, is expected to attract people traveling on business either to SkySong or elsewhere in Scottsdale as well as families wanting lodging near the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens.  Anticipated to be approximately 100,000 square-feet, the city will receive $42,000 a year rent for the hotel in addition to collecting bed tax dollars to support our tourism industry.
SkySong and Starwood are only part of the story of success for Southern Scottsdale.  I still believe the best is yet to come.
PS:  I have posted a new video on my YouTube site that I think you will enjoy.  Please visit: youtube.com/c/VirginiaLKorte