HEADLINE NEWS
Most city offices and facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23 and 24, for Thanksgiving. Trash/recycling will not be collected Thursday, Nov. 23. Collection occurs one day later than usual through Saturday. Libraries and pools are closed both days, as well.
Scottsdale Trolley will not operate Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23; service will resume Friday, Nov. 24. Visit the Valley Metro website for more holiday schedule information.
Redevelopment of the CrackerJax site – The Parque – moves forward. After a lengthy review process, the Scottsdale City Council approved an ambitious mixed-use redevelopment project called “The Parque” on a 32-acre site that was once home to the CrackerJax amusement park on north Scottsdale Road.
Plans call for a variety of buildings that encompass a 2-acre “Central Park” green space that will be open to the community. Structures will feature a diversity of architectural styles for uses that include more than 250,000 square feet of commercial space, a hotel and residential with up to 1,322 residential units and hotel rooms combined.
Development plans place a strong emphasis on sustainable practices, with a special focus on conserving water, mirroring Scottsdale's commitment to eco-friendly urban development. The next step in the process will be submission of a Development Review Board application for the first phase. Through the DRB application, the city will receive the first detailed design plans for the project. Once the Development Review Board determines that the design is consistent with the City Council approval, building construction plans can be submitted and permits issued. The development review and construction permitting process typically takes from eight to twelve months per phase. Learn more about the project and the next steps.
Scottsdale captures award for using innovative technology to positively impact residents and businesses. The Center for Digital Government’s 2023 Digital Cities 23rd annual survey ranked Scottsdale the top digital city nationwide in the 125,000 – 249,999 population category. The city is among a distinguished group that has worked hard to improve its digital, citizen and government experience through technology and leadership. Cities are recognized for using technology for strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing transparency, digital privacy right and equality, and finding innovative ways to support solutions for social challenges facing cities today. Read more.
Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host. Here’s what’s coming up:
Get your caboose to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park’s Holiday Lights Nov. 24-Jan. 7. Hop on board the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and experience a winter wonderland of holiday lights and displays. Visit and take a photo with Santa various times and days. The Holiday Lights experience on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad is $15; children two and younger ride free with a paying adult. To ensure a delightful experience for all, the event will have limited capacity and staggered entrance times. Access to the park will be exclusively for ticket holders during their designated time slot. Find details.
Monthlong holiday celebration Scottsdazzle kicks off Nov. 25, with the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sing Along at the Scottsdale Waterfront. This is just one of dozens of events planned this holiday season. Get all the dazzling details.
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Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony – Stroll among beautifully lit holiday décor and sing along to classic Christmas tunes led by the Scottsdale Community College Orchestra and local celebrities. Sip hot coffee or cocoa, nibble on light bites and engage in general merriment sure to put you in the holiday spirit. The night culminates with the lighting of the 40-foot Scottsdazzle tree.
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Small Business Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 25 – Shop small, shop Scottsdale! Old Town is home to a vibrant small business community with dozens of locally owned and operated boutiques, galleries and retailers. If you’d rather sip and savor than shop, many restaurants are ready to welcome you with the finest in local fare. With specials and sales for Scottsdazzle patrons, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list, all while supporting your local economy. See all the deals and specials restaurants and shops are offering.
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Meet Santa at the Market - Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market continues with a festive twist and a special holiday guest! Santa will be joining the wide array of farmers and vendors to make for a special Saturday morning. Children can sit with Santa and get a printed photo to cherish for years. The market takes place 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; photos with Santa will be available 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, through Dec. 16.
Commemorate Native American Heritage Month with "Where Our Elders Arrived.” Learn about the historical contributions and connections of the Pascua Yaqui People to Scottsdale. The event runs noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way. The city’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion is sponsoring the event. The event is free and open to the public.
Register for Scottsdale Parks and Recreation winter programs beginning 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, for Scottsdale residents, and 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, for nonresidents. Winter programs take place during January, February and March. These include swim lessons, water exercise classes, youth activities, adult programs and more! Browse all offerings online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “recreation classes.” You can register via the city's Activenet page.
Donate unwrapped toys and gift cards at Scottsdale Fire Department headquarters or any Scottsdale fire station through Tuesday, Dec. 19. Donations are distributed to partner organizations who serve families in need. Donors are asked to consider buying gifts for children 7-18 years old, as this age group is more challenging to buy for than younger ones. Thanks to you, approximately 15,000 toys are collected through the toy drive, serving more than 1,000 families annually. Get gift ideas (pdf).
Singles wanted. Pay the extra $1 on your city water bill to help those in need: Scottsdale Cares.
Planning and development at your fingertips. Curious about construction happening around Scottsdale? The city’s Active Cases and Permits Interactive Map now allows you to see projects awaiting public hearings, as well as projects that have been approved and are under construction. You can also easily access the case information sheet related to each project on the map. Watch a brief instructional video.
Watch the latest Fast Five. Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year? Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park and Scottsdazzle kick off at the end of the month – these are just a couple things happening in our community and highlighted in this month’s episode of Fast Five. Watch here.
Burn cleaner, burn better with gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces (which include gas inserts, gas log sets and self-contained vent-free units that don't require chimneys) are designed to burn either natural gas or propane. Maintenance is minimal compared to work associated with wood-burning fires. Gas fireplaces produce less air pollution than wood and are good for area heating. Learn more.
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Transportation & Streets paving crews are updating more than 25 ADA ramps on Via Linda between Shea and Frank Lloyd Wright boulevards. Travel lanes and sidewalks will be restricted during construction. Plan additional time to avoid delays. Transit riders should look for temporary bus stop signage throughout the work zone. Work is expected to be complete by Friday, Nov. 24. Learn more about Scottsdale’s Preservation Program and ADA.
Job of the Week: Water Meter Technician I. You’ll work in the field recording water meter readings, locating and uncovering water meters, cleaning out debris and any accumulated water from meter boxes, and reporting metering abnormalities. Benefits include 12 paid holidays; sick leave; medical, dental and vision benefits; paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; participation in Arizona State Retirement System; and more. Learn more and apply.
