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
Guest Editorial: Successes, Goals & Enthusiastically Seeking Re-election
By Solange Whitehead It has been a packed few years at City Hall. Since 2018, we’ve expanded open space, approved new parks, dramatically raised the bar on development, protected neighborhoods and funding for vulnerable populations, took care of seniors, and welcomed everyone with a non-discrimination ordinance. Aligning City Hall policies with citizen priorities led to the passage of crucial, tax-neutral … Read More
Mesa Gets It, Why Doesn’t Scottsdale?
Regular readers of this blog have no doubt read about our disappointment over the lack of vision and forward-thinking regarding development. One frequent example that we have lamented about is the difficulty that the Ironwood 92 project has encountered as it attempts to make its way through the approval process. A fantastic project that has the unanimous support of the businesses … Read More
The Perils of Desert Living are Finally Coming Home to Roost: Scottsdalians Asked to Conserve Water Amidst Shortage
We live in a desert. We all know that water is at a premium here, and yet your average Arizonan uses as much water as they need with little thought of minimizing usage. That will soon change for Scottsdale though, as the city is now asking residents to reduce their usage by 5%. Interestingly enough, this makes Scottsdale the first … Read More
A Big Scottsdale Whoops . . . And Reversal
There’s a helpful rule in political and legal circles: know the answer to the question before you ask it. Rarely has it been violated more spectacularly than last night, in Scottsdale. For a redevelopment project called 92 Ironwood that in most any other time would be on a consent agenda. As a reminder the plan seeks to replace an empty … Read More
Guest Editorial: 20 Applicants for Every Vacant Apartment
By Larry Kush I recently read an article in a nationally published apartment industry report called Rent Cafe, which stated that Scottsdale” renters struggled to find an apartment in our city where they met an awful mix of high occupancy rates of 96.3%, and 20 applicants competing for every vacant apartment that on average, stayed available for just 25 days.” … Read More
Kissing Goodbye to 2021: Our New Year’s Resolutions for Scottsdale in 2022
I don’t know that there are too many people on this earth who will look back fondly on 2021. Much like its predecessor, it will be remembered for the pandemic that has harmed or killed so many, repeatedly ruined our plans, and has further divided our nation. While 2022 may be plenty more of the same, we have hope; hope … Read More
Still Not Sure What To Do for New Years? Experience Scottsdale has Ideas for You
Are you ready to exit 2021 and enter 2022 with hopes of a better year? Perhaps the better question is, who isn’t?? If you’re ready to celebrate, you may already have plans, but maybe not…or maybe you’re on the fence, and you need a bit of a prompting. But let’s be honest: you live in or near one of the … Read More
A Crisis In Part Caused By Scottsdale (But Also One That Can Be Cured By It Too)
If there is one defining characteristic of Arizona, save the desert, it’s our natural disdain for the government telling us what to do. But every once in a while, they feel like their hand is forced and that they need to do something. Well we are quickly hurtling towards that point with rent prices in Arizona. Rent prices have risen … Read More
Scottsdale a New Soccer Mecca? Phoenix Rising Looking to Use Vacant Scottsdale Space, Why That’s a Good Idea
Scottsdale as the center of the Arizona soccer universe? It sounds crazy, but it may be closer to becoming reality, as the Phoenix Rising soccer team is considering purchasing or leasing the vacant lot near Oak and 68th Street for their junior league to use. The Phoenix Rising Football Club is the highest-league soccer club in Arizona and is one … Read More