Downtown Scottsdale becoming denser & taller (Phoenix, Mesa: real estate, condos, school)

[Valley Native]

Scottsdale approves 150-foot towers in Fashion Square mall expansion

Not exactly news that's fresh & new, but I thought I'd bring this up and gloat over the fact that Scottsdale is doing things right and starting to build upward instead of outward so much. As expected, a few crybaby NIMBYs are upset because taller buildings will cause more traffic & ruin their mountain views. OK, boo hoo hoo, they'll eventually get over it. I like the activity and somewhat dense Old Town/downtown area as it is, and it's only getting better ... although if I had my way, I'd increase the height limits even further. Some nice 30 & 40 story condos would look awesome in downtown Scottsdale!

[man4857]

Scottsdale is already unaffordable by most, so it shouldn't be a surprise that more developers want to add housing to cash in on the expensive real estate. But it's shouldn't be surprising that people want to block these projects for frivolous reasons. Not like they own the airspace within a 5 mile radius of their property.

But it's awesome that it got approved. The more housing that's being added only helps with real estate prices + adds to the community.

[KurtAZ]

Well...that and Scottsdale is kind of land-locked. Not much infill left unless you keep building North.

[JGMotorsport64]

We are just short of an urban loop running up Central to Camelback to Scottsdale to Rio Salgado to Mill to Washington/Jefferson to Central again.

The more up the better.

[Thomasaz]

Creating a more urban downtown is the best thing that Scottsdale can do. It's a desirable place to live for both the young and the wealthy, so it has the opportunity to do that. I highly doubt this is something that is possible in the bedroom communities of Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, etc. as they reach a decline phase when build out is reached.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

We are just short of an urban loop running up Central to Camelback to Scottsdale to Rio Salgado to Mill to Washington/Jefferson to Central again.

The more up the better.

Originally Posted by Thomasaz

Creating a more urban downtown is the best thing that Scottsdale can do. It's a desirable place to live for both the young and the wealthy, so it has the opportunity to do that. I highly doubt this is something that is possible in the bedroom communities of Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, etc. as they reach a decline phase when build out is reached.

Scottsdale has the potential, but with all this density and they keep shooting down the light rail, it will turn into a gridlock. Scottsdale should work on being a part of the urban fabric of the rest of the metro (Mesa and Glendale are cooperating with Phoenix on this) and if it can it will become more dense. Widening of roads will not help Scottsdale grow up, only further out, so this is what will have to be done to keep up with it.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

Scottsdale has the potential, but with all this density and they keep shooting down the light rail, it will turn into a gridlock. Scottsdale should work on being a part of the urban fabric of the rest of the metro (Mesa and Glendale are cooperating with Phoenix on this) and if it can it will become more dense. Widening of roads will not help Scottsdale grow up, only further out, so this is what will have to be done to keep up with it.

Yes, I was going to say that Scottsdale's continued resistance to light rail, or even bus rapid transit (BRT), does not go well with vertical development. Some of the most outspoken opponents of rail transit in Scottsdale are also opposed to increased density, so at least they're being consistent. Nevertheless, the opposition to light rail is prevailing while high-density development is proceeding. That's a bad combination.

[TempeAZnative]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

Scottsdale has the potential, but with all this density and they keep shooting down the light rail, it will turn into a gridlock. Scottsdale should work on being a part of the urban fabric of the rest of the metro (Mesa and Glendale are cooperating with Phoenix on this) and if it can it will become more dense. Widening of roads will not help Scottsdale grow up, only further out, so this is what will have to be done to keep up with it.

There should be lightrail from Central and Camelback to Camelback and Scottsdale RD down Scottsdale Rd/Rural to ASU. This would make complete sense creating a light rail loop and connecting 24th st to fashion square to oil town to ASU.

[BIG CATS]

Light rail would only make sense from Old Town and south. Any light rail north of Indian School would be stupid and a waste of money.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

Light rail would only make sense from Old Town and south. Any light rail north of Indian School would be stupid and a waste of money.

That stretch from Central/Camelback to Fashion Square would be a good spot.