Scottsdale leaders eager to hear McDowell Corridor revitalization efforts
Oct 8, 2015, 1:53 PM
PHOENIX — The Scottsdale City Council is set to hear updates on the McDowell Corridor revitalization efforts at a meeting Tuesday.
The the Scottsdale Independent reported that the council has said reviving the corridor was a priority.
The council will see a presentation and discuss, “possible direction to staff on vision for future revitalization efforts and tools to be used in the process,” the report said.
The McDowell Corridor runs along McDowell Road in south Scottsdale, from Loop 101 to 68th Avenue but city leaders think of the corridor as extending from Pima Road west to Phoenix, and areas north to Osborn Road.
That makes for eight square miles.
Even before the Los Arcos Mall, which stood at the corner of McDowell and Scottsdale roads, was demolished in 2002, the corridor had struggled.
In 2006, Arizona State University broke ground on the site for its innovation hub SkySong. The center opened in 2008.
Overall economic conditions in the corridor have been improving.
“Incremental property improvement is occurring, and revitalization of larger properties (former auto dealerships) is in the planning stages, including the Auto Mall, Earnhardt Lexus and Scott Toyota properties,” according to a city document.
“Numerous small businesses, such as Fate Brewery, Pho Cao restaurant, Plato’s Closet, and Delicious Deliveries have chosen to locate in the corridor,” the analysis continues.
The area received over $200 million in investments since 2009, and 14,000 employees work within the area with average earnings around $70,000, according to Choose Scottsdale.