The results of Scottsdale’s elections are the talk of the town, and other towns. That’s because much of the business and investment community believes the “pro-resident” majority translates into anti-business policies. Many are now suggesting their capital will bypass Scottsdale altogether rather than navigate the political morass they believe is inevitable.
As we have said before we hope everyone will give Scottsdale’s new political personality a chance. They may very well prove the skeptics prophetic but shouldn’t it be given the benefit of the doubt, at least at first?
The consequences of too far of a turn away from the successful approach in recent years are significant.
A local economy that is not alive and growing will not have the resources its citizens expect. For public safety. For parks. For the quality of life residents have come to know.
Combine this with the massive tourism downturn along with looting and shopping realignment at places like Scottsdale Fashion Square and it’s clear the city is going to be in for some very challenging times for all of these reasons.
Additionally, with the exception of two or three developments and redevelopments making their way through the approval process now the pipeline for new and cool projects in the city has slowed to a trickle. While some may welcome this, the financial consequences will be severe.
In 2008 incumbent Mayor Mary Manross was narrowly defeated by Jim Lane because of the perception that “Stopsdale” had become to difficult a place to do business and it was no longer a city on the move. Let’s hope Scottsdale leaders have learned that lesson and history doesn’t repeat itself.