The Scottsdale City Council voted Tuesday night to approve an expansion of a parking structure in Old Town.
The council voted 5-2 in favor of expanding a city-owned parking structure on First Street and Brown Avenue.
Supporters of the project said the garage is needed to address the parking needs in Old Town, including for spring training.
Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman said the parking issue needs to be addressed now.
“Whether you like it or not, there's going to be more people here, and there's going to be more pressure on parking and more pressure on parking and more pressure on parking.” Kwasman said. “And if you don't build your infrastructure correctly, you're going to face an impossible cliff.”
Kwasman said a new parking study would possibly delay the project by multiple years.
Opponents of the project say the garage will ruin the charm and aesthetics of Old Town, and the city is not relying on current parking data.
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead voted against the proposal.
“My position isn't pro or against a parking garage, but it's about fiscal responsibility, something that I've been very good at for eight years on this council,” Whitehead said. “Major taxpayer investments must be supported by data.”
Whitehead said the city could have avoided the controversy over this project by conducting a parking study.
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