GOVERNING WITH HEART, SKILL AND IDEAS,
QUALITY OF LIFE IS THE WHOLE POINT
Quality of life is the whole point and without additional tax revenue, core services are cut, capital improvements postponed and the “Scottsdale Brand” suffers. For 30 years, working in five states as an owner in the commercial real estate business, I have consistently witnessed well thought-out commercial projects attracting new company’s, new tenants, creating jobs and stimulating local economies with activity and tax revenue.
As an example, the redevelopment of McDowell Road, from Scottsdale Road West to Papago Park, should be more than a make-over of vacant auto dealerships in Scottsdale and by taking action on zoning and land use, our local economy and South Phoenix will benefit. McDowell Road is bounded by Downtown Scottsdale, Skysong, Tempe, ASU, and is a gateway to Phoenix and has overwhelming potential for economic growth.
Crafting zoning overlays now that allow for increased height, density and importantly a mix of uses, we can stimulate land assemblage for developments with strong anchor tenants and important new companies. Developers and architects will be inspired to create stunning mixed use projects consisting of commercial offices, hotels, retail industrial-showrooms and especially moderately priced residential apartments and condo’s - not luxury housing.
Recessions breed either opportunity or catastrophe and leadership must recognize that core businesses are changing, and believe that “we must learn to dance in the rain instead of waiting for the storm to pass”. We can establish conditions now for an exciting new district benefiting our entire local economy that is now all too dependent on traditional retail and tourism creating cycles of boom and bust. Tourism is vital, but fickle, and by the way, as a nationwide tourism leader, we in Scottsdale should be supporting it now more than ever.
In the 50’s, Scottsdale and Phoenix founding fathers made a commitment to commerce by promoting Phoenix & Scottsdale, nationwide, as a land of sunshine and opportunity, and it is our duty to support the resorts, hotels and golf industry that make us who we are today. “You don’t save your way to prosperity”, and you don’t run a city with a calculator. The only way to truly balance city and state budgets, pay for core services, salaries, education and social services and keep our “Scottsdale Brand” fresh and taxes low, is business growth.
Consider two facts: One, we are inextricably tied to the City of Phoenix which will provide more and more opportunity for business growth. Two, Scottsdale doesn’t have much land left. We should encourage the private sector, not fight with them over zoning. By being proactive we will get what we need exactly where we want it, and give builders the time to make plans, remember, developers have choices and we want their attention.
The McDowell Corridor is about patience, the future, and graduates who already live in the area and like height, density and the excitement and convenience of living close to work and downtown Scottsdale, Tempe and ASU. By seeking locations such as this that do not impact single-family neighborhoods we maintain their peace and quiet. Projects of this nature historically increase single-family home values when young families grow and need larger, more affordable homes close to friends where they already live and work.
Commercial Real Estate, located wisely to protect single family homes, can lead the way to more jobs, more tax revenue and a better quality of life for all of us. So, on issues such as the redevelopment of McDowell Road, let’s think clearly and help get our economic house in order.
~ Joel BramOweth is a resident of Scottsdale
and former candidate for City Council |
