City of Scottsdale, Ariz. Downtown Revitalization: Alternative Investment Approaches National League of Cities Nov. 22, 2014.

City of Scottsdale, Ariz. City of Scottsdale, Ariz. Downtown Revitalization: Downtown Revitalization: Alternative Investment Alternative Investment ApproachesApproaches

National League of CitiesNational League of CitiesNov. 22, 2014Nov. 22, 2014

A History of Downtown ScottsdaleA History of Downtown Scottsdale

Downtown Scottsdale TODAYDowntown Scottsdale TODAY

• Tourism mecca• Tech hub• Active nightlife• Shifting demographics

$2B in investment has occurred in the last decade.

How Did We Get Here?How Did We Get Here?• Targeted infrastructure improvements• Streamline the development process with

parking flexibility• Focus on enhancing City services such as

code compliance• New public parking facilities • Canal bank improvements• Arts and culture investment• Streetscape improvements and beautification• Enhanced bus and trolley service

Investment Example: Waterfront/Canal DevelopmentInvestment Example: Waterfront/Canal Development

Infill Incentives DistrictInfill Incentives District• No TIF or restrictive TIF?• Redevelopment Area

designation lifted• Scottsdale opted to

create an Infill Incentive District which uses an overlay to offer greater HEIGHT and DENSITIES in exchange for investment in public art and other improvements

• Adopted in 2010

Other Non-TIF Tools in ArizonaOther Non-TIF Tools in Arizona• Enhanced Services District

– Quick/easy formation process– District boundaries must be in a designated redevelopment zone– Support can be demonstrated by petition– City Council can enact an ESD if the property owners

representing over 50% of the assessments paid do not file a protest

• Revitalization District– More direct and involved process– District boundaries need not be in a designated redevelopment

zone– Support required to be demonstrated by petition signatures

from property owners representing more than 50% of the assessments paid and more than 50% of the District Property Owners

– City Council can enact a Revitalization District if the receive the required signatures

Recent Creative ApproachesRecent Creative Approaches• Connecting new employers with traditional

downtown merchants• Proactively addressing nightlife concerns to

enhance safety and manage traffic (pedi cab ordinance)

• Public/private partnerships (Museum of the West

• Mixed Use Public Parking Structures

• Redevelopment property RFP for private developer interest

Task Force AssignmentTask Force Assignment

• Mayor’s Downtown Enhancement Task Force– Made up of downtown stakeholders– Analyzing what is needed to move downtown

forward– Reviewing Best Practices in successful downtowns– Ultimately, bringing a recommendation to Council– Could be the launch of a strategy to address the

new influx of thousands of millennial workers seeking an urban environment coupled with affordable, high quality of life

Thank you.Thank you.

Danielle Casey, CEcD, [email protected]

More information:More information:ChooseScottsdale.comChooseScottsdale.comDowntownScottsdale.comDowntownScottsdale.com

@ScottsdaleEcDev

ChooseScottsdale Text ‘ChooseScottsdale’ to 22828 for e-news