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
The Council of No Strikes Again – Ironwood 92 Forced to Withdraw
We had high hopes for Ironwood 92: a well thought out development that would have provided affordable housing for healthcare workers and helped drive down rent prices by increasing supply. We had high hopes, but they were dashed by the Council of No. Last week, the developers of Ironwood 92 asked for a simple continuance to help ensure that their … Read More
Southbridge 2 Owners Get Big Win in Gilbert, and Renters Get Future Relief – Good News for Scottsdale?
Another week goes by, and another instance of reasonable development projects going up in the Valley in places that are not Scottsdale hits the wire. This time it has some Scottsdale ties however. Creation RE has gotten final approval to develop the largest parcel of undeveloped land near Gilbert’s downtown area recently. Approval for the Heritage Park project is a … Read More
Sensible Sobriety In Scottsdale
We weren’t big fans of the Greenbelt 88 multi-family proposal to largely replace a shopping center at Hayden and Osborn with apartments. But the way in which it passed the Scottsdale City Council last night on a 5-2 vote (with Mayor Ortega and Councilwoman Littlefield dissenting) was important and instructive. The majority seemed to get what Scottsdale voters expressed in a … Read More
Mesa Moving Forward with Development, Will Scottsdale’s NIMBYism Lead to Extreme Housing Legislation?
Another day passes, and another story hits the wire about development elsewhere in the Valley, a story of Scottsdale developers unable to build in their own city and focusing their efforts elsewhere. In this case it’s in Mesa again, with a 144-unit mixed use development near downtown. We have spoken at length about the housing crisis in this state and … Read More
Guest Editorial: Solange Whitehead is Part of the Problem
By Larry Kush Three years ago on February 28th 2019, I had coffee with newly elected Scottsdale councilwoman Solange Whitehead to discuss her position on housing. Solange told me of her commitment to help alleviate the homeless problem and how she was an strong advocate for affordable housing. Over the next 3 years, Solange then proceeded to oppose nearly every … Read More
The Rent Crisis Hits Low Income Areas – Will Progressives Finally Push for More Housing Options?
Rents are increasing all around the country, but most exorbitantly in Arizona, with three AZ cities in the top 20 for highest increases in rent in the country over the last year. This is nothing new for us here at APG, we’ve been sounding the alarm for a while now. But as time goes on, we wonder what catalysts will … Read More
Guest Editorial: Kid! Get Off My Lawn.
By Mike Norton The “growth years” for Scottsdale long ago ended. From 1970 through early 2000’s, Scottsdale grew steadily. Compared to today, we were a vibrant, comparably young, and thriving community. Family Friendly housing developments and the expansion of superb school networks dominated those decades. Not only were there no complaints about growth, we embraced growth and enjoyed it. From … Read More
Gilbert Moving Forward with Significant Development Plans – What Could Scottsdale Learn?
We often gripe about the lack of new developments in Scottsdale, with reasons ranging from a council that is sometimes antagonistic to such projects as well as the culture of NIMBYism that has befallen our great city. Sometimes we need to see that there is a better way. Enter Gilbert. Gilbert is showing what can happen when you have leadership … Read More