By Suzanne Klapp — Mother Teresa famously said “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” This current virus pandemic means for some of us that we can help make the situation a little better by helping at least one other person. In my Scottsdale Mountain community, we are doing just that with an effort called Neighbors … Read More
Guest Editorial: Solar, Shade and Sustainability Rule the Development, Design Roost
By Recker McDowell Scottsdale is considering the vision and future of its popular Old Town area. Tempe is looking at building more urban and creative neighborhoods. Other cities — including Phoenix, Chandler, Goodyear, Mesa and Gilbert — are all looking to take their downtowns to the next level including more residents, offices and restaurants. Communities, in particular Scottsdale, are also … Read More
Guest Editorial: Stark Contrasts and Choices
By Recker McDowell — The New Hampshire primary this week is whittling down the crowded Democratic field after the debacle in Iowa. The Democratic field offers primary voters a distinct choice between ‘progressives’ such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and ‘moderates’ such as Pete Buttigieg, Michael Bloomberg, Amy Klobuchar and Joe Biden. Whoever the Democrats pick will offer a … Read More
Real Estate Developers, Dealmakers Bankrolling Suzanne Klapp’s War Chest Highlights The Early Scottsdale 2020 Contribution Reports
Scottsdale City Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp has the early financial advantage in the 2020 race for Scottsdale Mayor. Scottsdale City Councilwoman Virginia Korte who is also running for mayor as well as candidates for three council seats up for election this year are still ramping up their fundraising efforts, it appears. That is according to fourth quarter campaign reports filed with … Read More
Guest Editorial: Get Ready For More ‘Car-less’ Apartments and Other Outside The Box Development Plans
By Recker McDowell — A planned $140 million development in Tempe is being touted as a first in the U.S. for a ‘car-less’ apartment complex. The Culdesac Tempe apartments are being proposed without parking. The complex is on the Metro light rail and the San Francisco developer building it plans on offering discounts on Uber and Lyft rides and transit. … Read More
Guest Editorial: The Risk in Phoenix Imposing Higher Fees on Uber, Lyft Rides to Airport
By Recker McDowell — The Phoenix City Council is scheduled to vote next week on proposed hikes to fees charged for Lyft and Uber rides to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The peril for Phoenix are the messages the higher rideshare fees convey to innovative and creative companies, workers and entrepreneurs. The issue could go well beyond airport … Read More
Guest Editorial: Papago Plaza, Other Scottsdale Redevelopments Reinforce Necessity to be Cool, Creative, Connected
By Recker McDowell — Papago Plaza in Scottsdale is being demolished. The retro shopping center and its distinctive pink Pueblo architecture are coming down and will be replaced by new apartments, a hotel as well as a planned Aldi store and Starbucks. The redevelopment is at McDowell and Scottsdale roads across from the ASU SkySong development. Both Papago and SkySong … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale Can Parlay International Tourism Into Economic Development Gains
By Recker McDowell — Scottsdale hosted 1.7 million international tourists last year, according to a new tourism impact study released by the city earlier this month. Those international travelers account for 15.7 percent of the 10.8 million of Scottsdale’s visitors in 2018. This is the first study where Scottsdale tracked international visitors and their $443.9 million spending here. That spending … Read More
Guest Editorial: How Tempe Charts Its Growth & Future Will Reverberate in Scottsdale, Phoenix, East Valley
By Recker McDowell — The city of Tempe is looking at its long-term growth plans for its downtown area including Mill Avenue and Arizona State University’s main campus. Tempe leaders are examining how to bring more residential development and workforce housing options as well as the height of buildings. The rest of the region should pay close attention to Tempe’s … Read More
Secret Developer Group Launching Suspect Campaign to Stop Legal Medical Marijuana Dispensary So It Can Build High-Rise Project in Scottsdale
(SCOTTSDALE) — It really ultimately is Patients vs. Developers. Health Care vs. High-Rises in Scottsdale — and developers are trying to dupe the public and Scottsdale City Council. A new email shows real estate developers, including out-of-state ones, and some downtown property owners are working covertly to undermine and oppose a needed medical marijuana dispensary in downtown Scottsdale. Developers want … Read More