Old Town Parking Garage Expansion Moves Forward
On February 11, 2025 Scottsdale City Council voted 6–1 to move forward with the design services contract for the Old Town parking garage expansion. This long-anticipated project, funded by the 2019 Bond, will add two new levels to the existing structure.
Design has not yet begun, and community input will shape the final look and feel to ensure it complements the historic character and Old Town Area Plan.
During the estimated one-year construction period, the popular Old Town Farmers Market will relocated to a nearby larger city owed propery. The location is yet to be confirmed. The beautiful City Center Plaza is one location being considered. The expansion will add over 200 new parking spaces, freeing up valuable street parking currently used by vendors. It also supports growing demand from 85+ annual Civic Center events, nearby arts venues, and Historic Old Town businesses and restaurants.
Stay tuned for public meeting dates and design updates.
$31M Scottsdale Rd In The Spotlight
A roundabout, part of a larger $31 million Scottsdale Road improvement project, was designed to enhance safety and reduce severe accidents at a high-risk intersection. The full project included widening two miles of Scottsdale Road, adding drainage improvements, and protecting nearby neighborhoods.
Although the roundabout itself cost less than $2 million and is already under construction, the City Council’s recent 4–3 (Borowsky, McAllen, Whitehead) vote halted the entire project. This decision not only forfeits $31 million in funding but also leads to:
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Additional costs for relocating utilities back to the original two-lane setup
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Potential penalties from funding agencies
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Delays due to new applications and bidding for a signalized intersection, with no guaranteed approval
Significant time and taxpayer money are now at risk due to the project’s cancellation.
Stay tuned as the City explores options for reallocating federal funds or absorbing costs locally.
Budget Review Commission Urges Action on Infrastructure and Oversight
In three intensive sessions the week of April 8 ahead of their April 11, 2025 deadline, Scottsdale’s Budget Review Commission (BRC) prioritized long-term infrastructure integrity over unchecked expansion. The group emphasized a need to refocus capital spending on critical work-in-progress (WIP) projects—like road resurfacing, water system upgrades, and public safety equipment—warning that delays could severely impact residents and city services.
Key Findings & Recommendations:
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Too Many Projects, Not Enough Progress: Only about 60% of planned capital spending is achieved. As project volume grows, productivity declines and delays rise.
- CIP Overload: Carry-forward projects take up over half the FY 25–26 budget. The BRC urges focusing on these before approving anything new.
- Fix the Ranking System: The city’s internal process for prioritizing projects needs better alignment with actual impact and resource limits.
Rio Verde Wildlife Over Pass Spotlight:
A $35M wildlife overpass on Rio Verde Drive raised questions on cost and timing. The BRC recommends a feasibility study added to the 25/26 budget to decide whether to build it now as a stand-alone or include it in a future road widening project. The BRC recommends the inclusion in the city’s 25/26 budget for a Feasibility Study to estimate the construction cost for an appropriate Wildlife Overpass design to span the proposed 4-lane Rio Verde Drive. It will include whether to construct the Wildlife Overhead Pass in coming years rather than wait many years for the Rio Verde road construction. The project Feasibility Study will be funded by the already collected Preserve Tax.
Next Step:
City Council will review the BRC’s push for smarter spending, reduced backlog, and greater impact
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