Crawford: Supporting Scottsdale’s bonds as a downtown business owner

Scottsdale is a special place and premier destination for tourists, artists and residents. Questions 1, 2 and 3 will help Scottsdale maintain that status and invests in our community’s future.”

Bill Crawford

Cooperation and coalition building are often essential to getting anything meaningful done.

I have learned this as a business owner in downtown Scottsdale and a proud, longtime resident of the same area.

Questions 1, 2 and 3 on your Nov. 5 ballot do just that. The bond programs were developed via an extensive and cooperative public process and put on the ballot by a unanimous mayor and Scottsdale City Council.

The 58 projects in the three bond questions have garnered support from a geographically and political diverse coalition of supporters. That is because the bonds give Scottsdale’s infrastructure a much-needed update and addresses important needs all across our city.

I am particularly enthused about the projects in downtown Scottsdale including new public parking structures, improvements at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Civic Center Plaza’s event spaces and pedestrian improvements that will make Old Town Scottsdale even more walkable.

Scottsdale is a special place and premier destination for tourists, artists and residents. Questions 1, 2 and 3 will help Scottsdale maintain that status and invests in our community’s future.

Whether it is a new bridge on Thompson Peak Parkway over Reata Pass Wash, new pools at the Cactus Aquatic Center or overdue infrastructure repairs at the southern end of Indian Bend Wash and Vista del Camino Park, the bonds benefit residents from all parts of Scottsdale.

Several years ago, I worked with city leaders, residents and other businesses to address some challenges in the downtown Entertainment District. We worked on those and implemented solutions through consensus and cooperation.

The bond program does that too. It was developed and is now backed by a consensus building and diverse coalition committed to working together to build a better Scottsdale.

Please join me and vote yes on questions 1, 2 and 3.

Editor’s Note: Bill Crawford is a Scottsdale resident and business owner.