Maxwell: SouthBridge 2 overturn is nonsensical approach

They suggest that a new development will hurt the character of that small area of Old Town that lies in the vicinity of the canal. It appears to me that this fear of change and redevelopment is an old way of thinking.”

Kevin Maxwell, Scottsdale resident

Oh poppycock! That is something that my grandfather used to say all the time.

Oh, poppycock he would say when he heard something so ludicrous it was farcical.

My father would say it from time to time as well. But not nearly as often as my grandfather. I have never uttered the word poppycock. It is a term which seems to be primary used by an older generation.

There is a small group of residents who are gathering together to try to derail the decision to allow the development of SouthBridge 2. One of the arguments against the project is that SouthBridge 2 will drive away tourism.

They suggest that a new development will hurt the character of that small area of Old Town that lies in the vicinity of the canal. It appears to me that this fear of change and redevelopment is an old way of thinking.

So, I will use an aged colloquialism to try to make sense of this. To the idea that SouthBridge 2 will be the demise of tourism in Old Town is purely poppycock.

I may not know all there is to know about tourism but I know enough that when I see marketing material designed for out of town visitors I see ads that draw tourist to shopping, dining and staying in hotels. I see ads created for visitors who are generating bed tax dollars and driving the local economy.

The people responsible for creating these marketing materials have a lot of research and data working for them. So, I will defer to them to know what tourist want. The SouthBridge 2 project will deliver more of just what our out-of-town guests are searching for.

I think it’s wonderful to try to preserve heritage and Old Town charm and character. But here is what is lost on the argument that SouthBridge 2 will chase away tourism.

Spring Creek Development already owns the land that they propose to build on. Do you know what drives tourist away? Poorly designed architecture and uninspiring development.

Spring Creek is well within its rights to build the very minimum required to avoid any approval from the city. That is the last thing we want. For ourselves and for the valuable tourism dollars we covet.

Spring Creek Development has bent over backwards when it comes to community outreach. They have offered an unprecedented amount of transparency and community input.

This is reflected when looking at designs of the project from two years ago until a few weeks ago when SouthBridge 2 was approved by City Council. You can see the evolution of the project and how concessions were made after listening to community concerns.

Tourism will thrive with the completion of SouthBridge 2. The project will attract, not repel tourism. To think otherwise would be, well…… Malarkey.

Editor’s Note: Kevin Maxwell is a long-time Scottsdale resident and technology adviser for the Scottsdale Coalition of Today & Tomorrow.