Scottsdale & Paradise Valley Development News

[kevininlb]

Thanks.

[PHX31]

Actually, here you go:

There are more areas of downtown/oldtown Scottsdale that have bars and clubs than just the red area. I can think of at least a dozen off the top of my head. (edit: extend the blue south of Indian School Rd).



Check this out: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/projects...pDirectory.pdf

That will give you a directory you can look over to find something you're into. You can look up a bar/club and all of the addresses are there so you can look them up on google earth/maps.

Here's a list of all of the possible places I can think of (and I know there are tons more). Some are clubs, some are lounges, some are just bars, and others are restaurants with popular bars.

Suede
Six
Drift
RA
Singray Sushi
e4
Pussy Cat Lounge
Next
Axis/Radius
Drinx
Bungalow
Crown Room
Devil's Martini
Mickey's Hangover
Maloney's
Salty Seniorita
Sugar Daddy's
Bar 74
Martini Ranch
Myst
...others too. Let me know what you're looking to go to with your friend, and I'll tell you a place you would like.

[kevininlb]

Wow, this is great. We're not looking to settle into one particular place. We'd rather walk around, step in and out, and get a feel for the place. This info is perfect...appreciate it.

[oliveurban]

^ And just to get a tad more specific, if you are planning on doing much of your bar hopping on foot, the highest concentrations of bars/ clubs/ lounges in closest proximity to each other are generally located in the areas in red. If walking, I'd try to find a parking spot near one of these areas, and then walk between. Indian Plaza/ Shoeman Ln (Axis/ Radius, Pussy Cat Lounge, Suede, Ballroom, etc.), Stetson Dr (Martini Ranch, Six, Stix, Mickey's Hangover, etc.), and then Craftsman Ct (Next, Dos Gringo's, Acme, etc.) are your best bets to begin with:



* Of course, as previously noted by others, there are many other notable places to go to still within walking distance; however, as you do move farther and farther away from these general areas, distances between establishments become larger, as they are less concentrated.

[PHX31]

/\ Yeah, what he said, that's what I was trying to get at.

[kevininlb]

Wow, this will be fun. Now if the dang workday would just end. Thanks all.

[ArtDecoFan]

For those interested...

Scottsdale Town Hall to address downtown future

The Business Journal of Phoenix - 12:40 PM MST Wednesday

The Scottsdale City Council is hoping to generate community discussion about the future of the city's downtown through a $30,000 contract with Arizona Town Hall.

The organization will assist in gathering input from city stakeholders including Scottsdale residents, investors and business owners, the council announced Wednesday.

Key to that effort will be a Scottsdale Town Hall Nov. 15, 16 and 20. About 100 participants will be selected to take part in the half-day discussions. A report from the event is due out by the end of November. Additional opportunities for community input will take place later in the process, including a city council work/study session in December or January.

Scottsdale has experienced unprecedented growth and investment in the past three years, which has sparked a significant change in the downtown culture, the council said, noting that efforts are under way to ensure the area's future is guided by community input and a partnership between the public and private sectors.

Those interested in participating in the Scottsdale Town Hall may fill out an application, which is available at http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Projects...n/townhall.asp .

Arizona Town Hall is an independent nonprofit membership organization created to address critical issues facing the state.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/s...l?surround=lfn

[Don B.]

^ I signed up for that gig.

In other news, a new $41 million development is nearing completion in downtown Scottsdale:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/s...anal31-ON.html

Scottsdale renaissance in full swing with SouthBridge project

Peter Corbett
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 31, 2006 05:05 PM

A linchpin redevelopment project that aims to attract strolling tourists and locals to downtown Scottsdale's canal banks is taking shape in the shadow of the city's tallest buildings. SouthBridge, a $41 million restaurant and retail complex along the Arizona Canal, is poised to make its own dramatic statement when its four buildings open early next year.

Developer Fred Unger of Scottsdale-based Spring Creek Development said that the four-story SouthBridge project will be a transition from the 13-story Scottsdale Waterfront, with its condos, stores and restaurants, to the lower profile shops and nationally recognized art galleries along Fifth Avenue and Marshall Way. A new canal bridge and a plaza with a cascading water feature will link the project that flank the Arizona Canal, southwest of Camelback and Scottsdale roads.

"We want it to be the heart and soul of downtown Scottsdale," said Unger, adding that he is hoping SouthBridge will be recognized as one of the nation's best public places.

SouthBridge, the Scottsdale Waterfront and the Arizona Canal are at the center of Scottsdale's redevelopment binge that has seen $2 billion in private investment downtown over the past three years, according to city officials. Scottsdale's early builders turned their backs on the irrigation canal, a barrier that cuts diagonally across the city. They treated the waterway like an alley. Civic leaders for decades hoped to turn the canal into an asset with landscaped pathways, water features and bridges. Unger and others failed in the 1990s to revive the canal and downtown, but the area renaissance is now in full swing.

Scottsdale Waterfront's retail and office component is nearly complete. Plus, thousands of condominium owners will soon begin moving into the Waterfront towers and a half dozen other high-end downtown condo projects. Spring Creek Development also plans to build 66 residential units at SouthBridge over the next two years, depending on market conditions, Unger said. Completion of the 3-acre SouthBridge development next spring and the influx of residents will bring a noticeable change to downtown, said John Little, Scottsdale's downtown administrator.

"The social dynamics begin to change in a fundamental way," Little said. "That really begins to transform downtown into another neighborhood."

It also will bring deep-pocketed residents to the canal banks and SouthBridge, which intends to give them something unique. Unger, who renovated the nearby Royal Palms Resort and Hermosa Inn, explained that SouthBridge will rely on individually owned restaurants and shops rather than leasing to national chains and retailers.

"I still believe in independence," he said. "I'm not a chain person."

Home-grown qualities

Scottsdale restaurateur Peter Kasperski of Cowboy Ciao will operate four restaurants at SouthBridge, including the Mexican Standoff and an Italian eatery called Digestif. Kapsperski's partner Nobu Fukuda will move his See Saw restaurant into SouthBridge and will unveil another one called Shell Shock, with seafood and Japanese finger food. A European-style café, the fine-dining Estate House and a chic restaurant lounge called Canal also are in the mix.

SouthBridge's 30,000 square feet of retail will include home furnishings and fashion. It will be anchored by Jennifer Croll, a Scottsdale-based fashion retailer that will share space with other boutique retailers.

Chains in nearby mall

Shoppers looking for chain retailers can take the bridge over to Scottsdale Waterfront or continue north to Scottsdale Fashion Square. The home-grown aspect of SouthBridge adds to the project's risk - banks were wary, Unger said - but could pay dividends for the 400,000-square-foot project.

"I think it's extremely far-sighted," said Little, the city administrator. "Downtown is trying to create a sense of place, something unique and original and special. I think the exclusion of chain stores south of the canal helps reinforce that in a strong way. "It really is a departure from Anywhere, USA," Little added.

SouthBridge also includes two office condos and two levels of free public parking. Scottsdale contributed $5 million for the underground parking garage and $11 million for the bridge and canal-bank improvements, Little said.

--don

[xymox]

Anyone notice the tower crane that went up near the airpark? I didn't drive to find it, but I spied it from the 101 at Desert Ridge last weekend. I'm assuming this is for the 9 story loft project at Kierland - any ideas?

Also, anyone notice they are adding floors to the Mayo Hospital @ Desert Ridge? At least two or three more it seems...was surprised to see them building on top of the existing tower!

[Don B.]

Yep and yep. If you look in my recent Tempe/Scottsdale photo thread ("I got a new lens..."), you'll see the tower crane for Plaza Lofts at Kierland. We can't afford it, though. Prices start in the 700s for one bedroom, 1,000 square feet.

Mayo's pretty cool as well. Drove by it Tuesday morning on the way back from Prescott.

--don

[loftlovr]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/ind...dest=STY-73604

Westcor to reshape Fashion Square mall area
By Ed Taylor, Tribune
September 8, 2006
Westcor, the owner of the Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping center, is eyeing the redevelopment of a 13-acre portion of the property at Scottsdale and Camelback roads for mixed uses including hotels, condos and possibly a retail village.

The makeover would include a new retail area to replace the former Robinsons-May department store at the east end of the mall, which was acquired by Westcor after Robinsons-May owner May Department Stores merged with Federated Department Stores, owner of Macy’s. As a result of that merger, Federated decided to keep the existing Macy’s department store in the mall and no longer needed the redundant Robinsons-May store.

As part of the east side makeover, Westcor could tear out an existing parking structure and the Robinsons-May building to create a new main entry way to the shopping center from Scottsdale Road and possibly a shopping village for luxury retailers facing onto the street, said David Scholl, senior vice president of development for Westcor.

The Robinsons-May building could be retained if a new tenant or tenants want to occupy it, he said.

In addition, the north side of the Westcor-owned property — now occupied by a motel, restaurant and gas station — has the potential for more intensive uses after leases on the existing buildings expire in a couple of years, he said.

“Those are 13 of the best acres in the entire Valley to redevelop,” he said. “Opportunities like this come only once or twice in a developer’s career.”

Any residential development on the Westcor-owned property would be in addition to about 2,000 housing units under construction or planned by other developers around the shopping center, he said.

Westcor spokeswoman Anita Walker said the company wants to move quickly on the Robinsons-May portion of the project. “We are meeting with retailers now,” she said. “We’d like to move on that sooner rather than later.”

The north side component will take more time because Westcor will not regain control of the property for two years, but the company is drawing up a site plan for the area, she said. No rezoning would be needed to put in residential units, but Scottsdale’s approval would be required for added height, she said.

The plans for Scottsdale Fashion Square are following a similar pattern used by Westcor in remaking Biltmore Fashion Park at 24th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix. The company, a subsidiary of The Macerich Co. of Santa Monica, Calif., is revamping the retail portion of the center and plans to construct two mid-rise towers on the east side of the property for a hotel and condos.

Scholl said the company hopes to obtain zoning approval for the towers from the Phoenix City Council in November, but actual construction will have to await improvements by Phoenix to the water system in the area. He said the company hopes to have the mid-rise project finished in a few years.

Westcor, a retail specialist, is moving toward mixed uses of its properties because of market demand, Scholl said.

“It’s urban living,” he said. “People want to have their urban condos and a Starbucks and shopping at the bottom of the condo tower.”

He said Westcor probably will invite partners to develop the housing and hotel portions of its properties but will retain a say on the way those projects are developed to make sure they enhance the retail portion.

Westcor also plans to redevelop part of Fiesta Mall in Mesa, where the Macy’s store became vacant as a result of the Federated-May merger. Macy’s decided to occupy the Robinsons-May space, and Westcor bought the Macy’s store.

Westcor probably will tear down the building and turn the space into an outdoor shopping village for new tenants, said Garrett Newland, assistant vice president/ development.

“We’re looking at retail, restaurant and entertainment options,” he said. The timing on the project will depend on when new tenants are willing to commit, Walker said.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is Huge!

[oliveurban]

^ Good news, all around. A new, more prominent entrance facing Scottsdale Rd would be a great thing.

Eventually getting rid of that hodgepodge north of the mall would be great too--the Days Inn, that chain restaurant gone makeshift theater (can't remember the name?), Coco's, Chevron, etc. etc. Something more organized, urban, and fitting for the area.

[AZchristopher]

Originally Posted by camelback_road

^ Good news, all around. A new, more prominent entrance facing Scottsdale Rd would be a great thing.

Eventually getting rid of that hodgepodge north of the mall would be great too--the Days Inn, that chain restaurant gone makeshift theater (can't remember the name?), Coco's, Chevron, etc. etc. Something more organized, urban, and fitting for the area.

I've always laughed at having the Coco's there. Places like Claim Jumper bleed money in Scottsdale because they aren't consider fancy enough yet a Coco's survives right next to Fashion Square. Always seemed so completely out of place.

[oliveurban]

Fashion Square has more 'luxury' space
Angelique Soenarie
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 16, 2006

If you think Scottsdale Fashion Square boasts an abundance of brand-name luxury stores, think bigger.

Talks of what will become of the empty Robinsons-May on the mall's eastern side, facing Scottsdale Road, are in the works.

Federated Department Stores, which owns Robinsons-May, closed the store this year.

"This is a project that a lot of people think is done because it's so successful, and it's an amazing iconic part of Scottsdale," said Anita Walker, a Westcor spokeswoman.

"What they don't know is that it's just the beginning. It's in its infancy. Scottsdale has so much potential to continue to be a premier luxury center in Arizona."

Who will fill the space left by Robinsons-May, one of the mall's five anchor department stores, is unknown. However, an undisclosed retailer has sent a letter of intent, Walker said.

"The space is going to be reconfigured to be able to serve the luxury shopper," she said. "You're going to see some amazing stores come into Scottsdale."

Westcor, one of the Valley's largest managers of malls, is looking to remodel the space, making room for more high-end stores to complement the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton or Tiffany & Co. The space could be filled with high-end luxury boutiques, junior department stores and eateries that currently are not in Arizona.

Days Inn, just north of the former Robinsons-May and also facing Scottsdale Road, could turn into a residential area or a hotel.

Managers for Westcor, owner of the 7-acre property, said that the hotel's lease expires in two years. Plans to develop the property include more retail and restaurants.

"That is going to take a whole new look and direction," Walker said. "That will be more of a lifestyle."

Scottsdale Fashion Square, the largest mall in the Valley, houses nearly 225 retailers with the most exclusive high-end stores and four department stores: Dillard's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

The mall averages $8 million a year in sales tax revenue, said David Roderique, Scottsdale's general manager of economic vitality.

[el_avocado]

Originally Posted by camelback_road

Fashion Square has more 'luxury' space
Angelique Soenarie
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 16, 2006

If you think Scottsdale Fashion Square boasts an abundance of brand-name luxury stores, think bigger.

Here's my bigger thought: Tear that mall down. Malls are spawns of suburban sprawl!!!!!!!!!

[Don B.]

^ He's baaack!

Using your logic, we should tear down Desert Sky and Metrocenter as well. Thankfully your logic is not controlling.

--don

[Azndragon837]

Originally Posted by el_avocado

Here's my bigger thought: Tear that mall down. Malls are spawns of suburban sprawl!!!!!!!!!

Scottsdale Fashion Square refutes your quote. If you read the article throughly, it seems like that mall is spawning a lot of urban development around the area...Waterfront, condos, and the plan to redevelop the northern end of the mall to add in more retail and living spaces fronting Scottsdale Road, etc. So this mall is spawning URBAN development, not suburban sprawl. Just wanted to point that out.

-Andrew

[oliveurban]

Consultants mull light rail for Scottsdale
Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 19, 2006

SCOTTSDALE - Light rail is a strong possibility for at least some part of Scottsdale Road, city consultants said Monday.

HDR Inc., which is putting together a master transportation plan for Scottsdale, identified six alternatives for putting high-capacity transit on the city's main north-south corridor.

All six alternatives would start at the Scottsdale-Tempe border and go north. In order of expense, they are:

• Light rail to Earll Drive, with modern streetcar to Scottsdale Airpark. Cost: $540 million.

• Light rail to Chaparral Road, with bus rapid transit to the airpark. Cost: $515 million.

• Modern streetcar to the airpark. Cost: $450 million.

• Light rail to Earll Drive, with bus rapid transit to the airpark. Cost: $413 million.

• Modern streetcar to downtown, with bus rapid transit to the airpark. Cost: $343 million.

• Bus rapid transit to Shea Boulevard. Cost: $180 million.

The estimated costs are for capital expenses only, not operating costs.

HDR will recommend which technology to use.

The City Council is expected in October to narrow the list to two or three alternatives.

Only two residents attended the first public meeting Monday, the first of 10 meetings the city is holding this week.

Resident Pete Spehar said he was concerned about the large subsidies Scottsdale would have to provide to keep fares low on a light-rail system.

"I don't know why they can't make them pay for themselves."

[Don B.]

^ Perhaps no one attended because the meetings were not publicized? I read the Arizona Republic daily and didn't see anything about this.

In addition, I never heard back from the Scottsdale Town Hall thing I filled out the app for. I'm not surprised and frankly I don't have time to worry about it. Clearly they aren't really interested in getting feedback from the citizens, though.

--don

[JI5]

Residents brace for light rail fight

Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 19, 2006 05:05 PM


SCOTTSDALE - If light rail eventually comes to Scottsdale, at least one group of residents appears ready to run city leaders out of town on it.

A group of citizens staunchly opposed to the technology blasted a consultant's proposals on Monday, saying they would do irreparable harm to Scottsdale's quality of life.

"You people have completely lost all common sense," resident Jane White said. "Talk about a waste of money. Ugh!" advertisement




Neighborhood activist Patty Badenoch told consultant Mike James of HDR Inc. that light rail would increase crime and traffic along Scottsdale's main north-south road. She was among many attendees who said they feared the City Council already had made up its mind in favor of rail.

"I feel this is the beginning of a done deal," Badenoch said. "I will do anything I can to derail it."

Teresa Huish, project manager for the transportation master plan, assured residents that Scottsdale was still evaluating rail, streetcar and bus rapid transit technologies and had made no decisions.

"It's not a done deal," said Huish, Scottsdale's principal transportation planner.

Still, residents were unconvinced. When James introduced a slide from his presentation titled "Where do we go from here?" one woman shouted, "Move out of state!"

Some neighborhood activists are gathering signatures for a petition that asks that any light-rail plan be brought to residents in the form of an advisory question placed on a ballot before the city could adopt such a plan.

Other residents said light rail was inevitable, and that Scottsdale should consider paying for it now.

"Is it going to be less expensive 10 or 20 years from now?" resident Charles Poston said. "We're just pushing the cost down the river."

Residents were more enthusiastic about transit options at a Tuesday hearing, but Huish said that nearly all of the comments received in the first few meetings reflected a deep skepticism about light rail technology.

HDR will use public comments in narrowing down their list of six alternatives to two or three. The City Council is expected to vote on which options members want HDR to evaluate more thoroughly at a meeting next month.

Deciding which form of mass transit to put on Scottsdale Road is likely to be the most controversial piece of the $1.1 million comprehensive transportation plan, which has been under development since November. The plan is expected to be finalized and adopted in the spring.