Real estate developers are often cast with the black hats. But aren’t they the people who build the homes we live in? Their bulldozers, political maneuvering and redevelopment plans are often contrasted with concerned neighbors, small business owners and the preverbal local townsfolk. It’s the stuff of old ‘Murder She Wrote’ and ‘Scooby-Doo’ episodes. But developers are not actually the … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Arizona State University and the city of Mesa recently broke ground on a new $73.5 million technology center aimed at sparking more development in the Main Street area. ASU will house artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality and 3-D printing and technology program at the new ASU @ Mesa City Center development. Mesa leaders hope the … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Phoenix and the state of Arizona have worked hard to craft images of being pro-business, pro-innovation and pro-entrepreneur especially compared to higher cost and higher tax competitors such as California, Seattle and Chicago. So, it is disconcerting to see the city of Phoenix’s fight with Uber and Lyft over higher rideshare fees at Phoenix Sky Harbor … Read More

By Recker McDowell — The Arizona Legislature is back in session. That means the annual ritual of media coverage of conservative bills cast as detrimental to Arizona’s image. You probably have already seen stories on bills from Republican lawmakers related to limiting sex education curriculums, guns and the posting police officers at polling places on election days. These types of … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Barrett-Jackson 2020 is in full swing in Scottsdale with more 1,950 luxury and vintage cars on the auction block. Barrett-Jackson is one of the signature events for Scottsdale. The auction puts Scottsdale in an international spotlight and feeds into the city’s tourism and economic brand. Barrett-Jackson is the king of Scottsdale’s car auction, helping attract tourists … Read More

Michael Auerbach is returning to the political stage.  Despite being pummeled when he ran for a council seat in 2014, Auerbach, who is a member of the Scottsdale Parks Commission, has formed an exploratory committee to seek one of two open seats on the Scottsdale City Council in the August primary. His past, besides an abysmal political showing, raises a … Read More

By Recker McDowell — White Claw is landing a new $250 million brewing and production facility in Glendale. The project is off the Loop 303 near Olive and Peoria Avenues. Glendale is trying to brand the area as its ‘New Frontier’. The Loop 303 and new South Mountain Freeway connecting the East Valley to Laveen and the West Valley offer … Read More

Several Ideas for Reform About two decades ago Scottsdale started suffering from a reputation that it was anti-business. There were several reasons for the perception, real and perceived. The City Manager at the time was pre-disposed against business. And while the Mayor then learned that the top job at the city is different than being one of six on a … Read More

Every old zombie movie, and many of the new ones, employ a tried and true dramatic device. Just when you think the creature or monster or zombie is finally vanquished, it seems to rise up without explanation to terrorize the townsfolk again. Hopefully, the Scottsdale City Council will end this horror movie when it meets January 21st. The creature is … Read More