Scottsdale’s Old Town is known locally and nationally for its collection of restaurants, stores and art galleries.
A coalition of businesses there are working with the mayor to develop proposals that could shape the area's development in the years to come.
The Downtown Scottsdale Task Force was formed to provide a more cohesive voice to represent the different districts of Old Town before the City Council. It held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday.
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said the group was formed out of marketing concerns for the area, and the contentious debate over a new parking garage.
“It was hotly debated. There was a tremendous amount of opposition to it. There was some longtime business owners in Old Town that thought it was critical," Borwosky said.
Borowsky voted against the garage.
The group will deliver policy recommendations to the City Council focusing on issues such as aesthetics, other parking and marketing in the fall.
"We hear from a lot of business owners that their numbers are down, and they really want to know what the city is doing to increase traffic in Old Town," Borowsky said.
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Michael Clare, owner of Clare Framing and Art, has dedicated more than 40 years of his life making frames to display works of art. -
Supporters say the garage is needed to address the parking needs in Old Town, including for spring training. Opponents say the garage will ruin the charm of Old Town, and that the city is relying on outdated data. -
For over 15 years, a local playwright researched the life of a Scottsdale-based con woman turned advocate for criminal-justice reform. But the new one-woman-show “STUNG!”, opening Thursday, promises to reveal hidden truths about the late Sue Ellen Allen. -
The city will consider adding two more levels to an existing two-level parking garage at First Street and Brown Avenue, which would add 185 spaces.
