We all want economic growth, and Arizona (and Scottsdale, more specifically) has been on fire in that regard recently. This has been optimized by the massive recent announcement by semiconductor-adjacent giant ASM, which recently announced an absolutely mammoth expansion in Scottsdale (you can learn more about it here).
But as with anything mammoth, there will be winners and there will be losers. There will always be ancillary damage for any major development. And in this case, one of the potential losers is another fairly massive development.
Enter Optima, the somewhat controversial luxury condo/apartment development at Scottsdale Rd. and Mayo Blvd. that was approved in 2022. The 1,330-unit development was one of the precious few large developments that have made it through the gauntlet that is the current makeup of City Hall, but which is now rather close to the new ASM development.
The biggest issue? A proposed five-story parking structure for ASM workers that will block the views of many people in the luxury development. Uh-ohh, looks like a massive battle is brewing, right?
While some corporate partners (looking at you, Axon) make unnecessary fights and threats, pouting like children if they don’t get their way, in this case it was about as kumbaya as it gets. A solution was crafted (bury three floors of the garage below ground), and Optima would even help pay for it!
No public spats, no veiled threats, no lawyering up…bam. A solution that works for everyone. If only all conflicts in life were handled so pragmatically and graciously!
Axon could learn a thing or two: that collaboration is better than going at it alone, that honey works better than vinegar.