You probably know that we haven’t been shy about talking about how NIMBY politics have partly dominated Scottsdale city politics, and how it has a significant impact on the cost of living in these areas. But there is also the concept of opportunity costs; how making a decision and going down one direction has a cost, not just in the … Read More
Ironwood 92 is Back with Changes – What Happened?
We all could use a second chance or two in life. Often times when a development project is deemed insufficient within city councils, they don’t often get a good second chance. The cost of starting from scratch or making the changes necessary to please those in charge is too high and simply not worth it. We have written about Ironwood … Read More
The NIMBY’s Actually Lost a Battle in Scottsdale: How Positive of a Sign Is This?
We have griped quite a bit about the Council of No in Scottsdale and the sacrifice of reasonable growth for the holy grail of perfect developments; letting perfect be the enemy of good, in essence. So imagine our very deep surprise when a mixed-use development passed through the Council recently! What looks to be an intriguing mixed-use project near Marshall … Read More
Guest Editorial: Barry Graham is Wrong for Scottsdale
By Larry Kush When Barry Graham was first appointed to the Scottsdale Planning Commission eyes rolled in the Scottsdale Planning Department as staff was aware that Mr. Graham had exactly zero experience in the planning and zoning practice and policies needed to make intelligent zoning decisions. He went on to prove their fears, by voting no on nearly every, much … Read More
Guest Editorial: Kudos to Larry Kush on Hat Trick – If Only Our Leaders Listened to Him More Often
By Ronald Sampson I am unapologetically a fan of pro-growth policies. I believe that our communities are better off with elected officials who believe that building is typically preferred to not building, that housing prices are best when they are suppressed by solid supply, and that NIMBYism hurts nearly all of us. In that spirit, I was very pleased to … Read More
Guest Editorial: The Problem with Extremism
By Councilwoman Betty Janik Extremism was once considered an ideology, a belief system, outside of the common sense attitudes of society. Unfortunately, it now seems to be the norm. With the constant news stream of outrageous commentary, we are tempted to believe what we hear and frequently what we are shown. Social media has been used effectively to promote extremist positions … Read More
An Amusement Park Turned Tech Park? A Great Idea for Scottsdale…If It Can Get the Votes
Scottsdale as a haven for technology and innovation? It’s not as far-fetched as it might sound to some, but that is also dependent on the City Council’s ability to green light outside-the-box developments. Perhaps you’ve seen or been to the CrackerJax amusement park, which featured mini golf, go-karts and batting cages in a complex on Scottsdale Road just south of … Read More
An Interesting Potential Solution for Housing Affordability Crisis
We don’t need to tell you that the housing crisis in Arizona is one of the most important issues that impacts so many Arizonans. We have led the country in rent increases, and the median home price has risen exponentially and now tops an eye-popping $500,000. And we have spoken plenty about the need for more housing options; increasing supply … Read More
Ortega, Whitehead, Janik, Durham, Littlefield: Please Meet Kathleen Black
As recently reported by the Wall Street Journal Scottsdale now has the distinction of being America’s top city for inflation. We can think of better accolades. Related to this topic is something Laurie Roberts from the Arizona Republic recently wrote about: rising housing costs. Here is something very powerful and disturbing she wrote: “You’ve heard the stories, or maybe you’re … Read More
Scottsdale in Top 10 Nationally for Rent – When Will We Learn?
We have been shouting from the rooftops about the rental crisis here in Arizona and the inadequate responses from local leadership (and overreaching responses from Legislative leadership). If you’re a regular reader, this is nothing new to you. But now us here in Scottsdale have reached new heights in this regard; just not necessarily in the right way. According to … Read More