The Informed Resident

• Concern that the garage design may not align with the character of Historic Old Town.
• Some merchants report they were not adequately informed or updated on project developments.
• The historic Mission Church could be negatively impacted by the addition of two levels.
• The Farmers’ Market will be located to a new location.

• The current Farmers’ Market location contract runs through 2025/26.
• Design services were contracted in 2025 by City Council.
• The City of Scottsdale hosted public open houses in in September, 2025 to show Chasse design options.
• Construction is projected to be completed on both the Old Town garage expansion and the NE quadrant new garage in 2027.
• May 22, 2025, City of Scottsdale held a public meeting to introduce the three companies contracted to design and build the expansion and answer questions.
• The city manager confirmed in 2025 that the project would continue with all current approvals. (See statement below)
• Funding will come from the 2019 Bond funds. Current estimate is $15M of the $21M allocated to Old Town parking.
• As reported by the petitioner. The petition from May 20, 2025, was presented again at the June 24, 2025, City Council meeting. There was a motion “to agendize … the petition for further discussion at a future hearing” and the motion failed with a 3-4 vote. The city is proceeding with the parking garage design and construction in accordance with a series of consistent actions and approvals by the City Council over the past several years. On July 1, 2024, the previous City Council unanimously voted in favor of this project to continue. The current City Council solidified the decision to proceed by entering into a design contract with Chasse on February 11, 2025. Additionally, with the June 24, 2025, vote against holding a “future hearing” to discuss further, the path forward is clear for the city to advance with the established timeline, continuing the design and construction efforts at the designated site.
• Scottsdale held the first public meeting on design plans Sept. 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. in the Civic Center Lower Level Library Auditorium. Two floor plans and preliminary designs were presented for resident review and comment.
• Update 10/27/25 – The Historic Old Town Association Architectural Committee (all committee members are Old Town property owners) is working with the Chasse design team by offering recommendations that follow the Old Town Architectural Guidelines.
• Update 10/29/25 – the HOTS Architectural Committee is working with the artist on the western-themed mural to be a public art feature on the garage.
• Update 11/17/25 – The Farmer’s Market has signed a contract with the city to be relocated to the City Hall’s larger parking lot in the fall of 2026.
• Update 1/12/26: Construction to begin summer 2026.
• Comment for the public record
• View Presentation

• Purchased State Land where residential development was originally prohibited.

• Following 2024 upzoning, Axon owes additional payment after a new land appraisal.

• Critics argue the project could proceed without apartments, citing nearby existing and planned housing developments.

• A Referendum gathered 26,000 signatures, placing the project on the November 2026 General Election ballot.

• The City Council declined to fund a 2025 Special Election, delaying voter decision.

• Concerns raised about potential state overreach through SB 1543, which limits city zoning authority for international corporate projects.

• Project Overview

  A rezoning approval allows a 425-key hotel and 1,975 apartments on State Trust Land originally purchased with “no residential allowed.” Stonebrook HOA later adopted a neutral position after plan changes.

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  Financial & Funding Notes

  • Axon will pay the rezoned land value, ensuring schools receive full State Land funding.

  • Worker Power/Unite Here Local 11 contributed $21,609 in-kind to the referendum campaign.

  • Public Integrity Alliance contributed $462,480 in cash and in-kind services.

  • Axon alleges it was approached to halt the referendum in exchange for unionizing.

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  Referendum Process

  • Signature sheets were verified; enough valid signatures qualified the ordinance for the November 2026 ballot.

  • A special election could have been called, but at $650,000 the Council indicated they would not support it.

  • Signatures do not indicate whether signers wanted a public vote generally or opposed apartments specifically.

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  State Law (SB 1543)

  • Passed April 18, 2025, SB 1543 removes local zoning control for international HQ projects in cities between 200k–500k residents.

  • Because of this law, the 2026 referendum becomes moot.

  • No legal opinion yet on whether neighborhood stipulations remain enforceable.

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  City Council Actions

  • Nov. 19, 2024: Rezoning approved 5–2.

  • Nov. 18, 2025: MOU approved 4–3, reducing project intensity and capping total residential units at 1,200 (600 apartments, 600 condos).

  • Axon must sign the binding MOU by 11/19/25.

  Phasing:

  • Phase 1: 500 apartments, 100 condos

  • Phase 2: 100 apartments, 500 condos

Update 12.5.25