Scottsdale Update - Sept. 28, 2026

Heavy rain could bring flooding to Scottsdale through Tuesday.

Scottsdale is under a Flood Watch from midnight Monday through 9 p.m. Tuesday. Multiple rounds of storms could flood streets and low-water crossings, quickly fill washes and affect Tuesday commutes. North and northeast Scottsdale may see the heaviest rain.

Never drive through a flooded road or around a barricade. Keep children and pets away from washes, and call 480-312-3111 before visiting a city park or Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve to check for closures.

Free sandbags are available while supplies last at the McKellips Police District, 7601 E. McKellips Road, and Solid Waste Transfer Station, 8417 E. Union Hills Drive. Both sites are self-service and open 24 hours a day, with a limit of 10 bags per household. Monitor forecasts and official city updates as conditions change.

Learn more.

Stardust Building Supplies receives Sustainable Scottsdale Award.

The nonprofit was selected by the Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission as the 2026 Sustainable Scottsdale Award honoree for its environmental and community contributions. Stardust's deconstruction program salvages usable building materials from properties before renovation or demolition and makes them available at discounted prices through its reuse centers. Thirty-five percent of Stardust’s Valley-wide services are provided to Scottsdale residents and businesses, further supporting the organization’s local environmental and community impact.

Learn more.

Scottsdale builds on declining crime trends with proposed Old Town safety measures.

Scottsdale Police outlined potential safety enhancements for Old Town’s entertainment district, while reporting significant long-term declines in violent-crime-related activity. From 2021 to 2025, violent-crime-related calls for service fell 50% and police reports declined 44%, while gun-related incidents dropped from 41 to 20; police said targeted deployments, visible patrols, community outreach and technology have contributed to the reductions. Proposed measures include stronger venue security and employee training, improved lighting and camera coverage, better crowd management, additional city support and continued crime-suppression operations.

Learn more.

Scottsdale evaluates regional water-sharing program.

Scottsdale is evaluating its participation in the Secure Water Arizona Program, a voluntary regional framework being developed by Phoenix and Tucson to provide communities with additional options for addressing future water-supply challenges. The program could include an emergency water reserve, voluntary water-sharing agreements, collaborative conservation and storage projects, and regional partnerships established before a water emergency occurs. Scottsdale would consider the program as one part of its broader strategy to diversify water supplies and reduce reliance on Colorado River water, alongside conservation, water reuse, groundwater management, underground storage and infrastructure investments.

Learn more.

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host.

Week of Sept. 28:

• McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1
• Paths and Trails Subcommittee Regular Meeting: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1
• Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1

Week of Oct. 5 – Check back next week for the full list:

• City Council Special Meeting: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6
• City Council Regular and Work Study Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6
• PSPRS Fire Board Local Board Regular Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
• PSPRS Police Local Board Regular Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.

Find more public meetings.

Scottsdale Airport Blood Drive.

To reserve your donation time, sign up online at Vitalant.org (Enter Code: 100560358) or scan the QR code at the bottom of the event page. For questions, please email Kelli Kuester or call 480-312-8482.

Donate Sept. 11-30 and receive a glow-in-the-dark Halloween tee! You’ll also receive entry to win one of two $10,000 gift cards in our Fall Giveaway. Donor Rewards program opt-in required.

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1500 N. Airport Drive

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market.

The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is a crowd favorite on Saturday mornings in Old Town Scottsdale! Bustling with locals, it features over 100 local growers and specialty food producers. Whether it is the aroma of freshly baked bread that you can't resist or you are on the hunt for seasonal ingredients, you are sure to find it at the market.
Please note: The farmers market has moved to its new location at the Scottsdale City Hall parking lot.

• 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays starting Oct. 3, at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
• Learn more.

Join the Scottsdale 75 Picture Scavenger Hunt.

Never been to Taliesin West? Or the Mustang Wall at Mustang Library? The Scottsdale 75th Anniversary Picture Scavenger Hunt is underway, offering a fun way to explore places you’ve never visited and revisit longtime favorites across the city. This all-ages community challenge highlights the people, places and history that have shaped Scottsdale.

Using the Seeker app, participants visit 75 designated locations, take selfies to earn points and can pick up some city swag while learning more about the West’s Most Western Town. Complete all 75 stops and bonus activities to be entered to win grand prizes.

To play along, create a free account. Be sure to send it out to your family and friends to participate as well.

Explore galleries during Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Scottsdale is home to more than 50 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from Arizona and around the world. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. most Thursdays throughout the year. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month.

Ongoing

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, live performances throughout the year.
• Discover Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West activities.
• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

Free fall workshops help Scottsdale residents save water.

Scottsdale Water is offering a series of free fall workshops to help residents conserve water, improve landscape efficiency, understand utility bills and learn more about the city’s long-term water supply. From September through November, workshops will cover topics including converting grass to xeriscape, selecting desert-friendly plants, detecting leaks, understanding rebates and learning about Scottsdale’s diversified water portfolio. The series also includes a guided tour of the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, where residents can see practical examples of water-efficient landscaping.

Learn more and register online.

Register for fall Neighborhood College classes.

Strong neighborhoods start with engaged residents. Scottsdale’s Neighborhood College gives residents, neighborhood groups and homeowners associations the knowledge, resources and tools to help address community issues and become effective neighborhood leaders.

Learn from professional and volunteer instructors through classes covering city programs and services, volunteer opportunities, personal safety, HOA guidelines and more. Classes are free, but registration is required.

View the class schedule and register online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Neighborhood College.”

Pop Punk Picnic is cancelled.

Scottsdale Parks and Recreation's Pop Punk Picnic has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to put the event on in the near future. For more family-friendly events in October, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search "events."

Work underway on 6th Avenue parking structure in Old Town Scottsdale.

Work is underway on a new four-story parking structure that will bring 230 parking spaces to serve business and visitors in Old Town. The new garage will be built on a surface parking lot owned by the city located north of E. 6th Avenue, east of N. Wells Fargo Avenue, south of Stetson Drive and west of N. Civic Center Plaza in the northeast quadrant of Old Town. The garage will be complete the summer of 2027.

Job of the Week: Water Audit Technician.

In this role, you’ll visit homes and businesses to investigate high water use, troubleshoot potential leaks, explain utility bills and water usage and provide customers with practical conservation guidance. Working independently and with city teams, you’ll respond to water concerns, coordinate meter services, prepare customer communications and connect residents with helpful utility resources. Your work helps residents better understand and manage their water use while identifying issues that can lead to unnecessary water loss.

Learn more and apply.

Step inside Scottsdale’s Little Red Schoolhouse.

The Little Red Schoolhouse is back open for the fall! Located in Old Town, this historic building is now home to the Scottsdale Historical Museum, where visitors can explore historic photos, artifacts, early Scottsdale stories and a recreated 1910 classroom, all for free. It’s a fun way to step back in time and see how Scottsdale grew from a small community into the city it is today.

Way to go, Scottsdale Bobcats!

Scottsdale Bobcats athletes recently competed in the Special Olympics Arizona Four Peaks Area Swim Meet at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. The team had an impressive showing in the 25-meter freestyle, with Abby, Martha, Liam and Braden each earning gold, while Corey took home bronze. In the meet for athletes ages 21 and under, Teegan earned silver, Maddie placed fifth and Ivan competed in his first swim meet. Scottsdale Parks & Recreation congratulated all of the athletes for their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship.

Behind the evidence: Scottsdale PD Forensics.

Scottsdale Police is recognizing its Forensic Services Division during National Forensic Science Week. The team plays an important role in supporting investigations and helping uncover the facts behind evidence. Their work spans crime scenes, blood alcohol, controlled substances, latent prints, digital forensics, forensic biology and DNA, fingerprint identification, property and evidence, and quality assurance. Each area requires specialized knowledge and careful attention to detail. Scottsdale PD is thanking the professionals whose expertise and commitment help support investigations every day.