Arizona Forward honored the city and the Scottsdale Civic Center with a Crescordia award in “Civic Buildings, Structures, and Landscape Design.”

The Crescordia — a Greek term meaning “growing in harmony” — is the highest honor given in each category of Arizona Forward’s environmental excellence awards program, according to a press release.

“Our spectacular, reborn civic center campus debuts three outdoor stages, more than 100 new trees, reduced turf areas, which save millions of gallons of water a year; and wide promenades, which link Scottsdale Stadium, Civic Center Library, City Hall, Scottsdale Center for the Arts and historic Old Town,” mayor David Ortega said in the release. “Arizona Forward and the City of Scottsdale truly are aligned in the pursuit of responsible stewardship of our natural and built environments.”

In 2023, Scottsdale unveiled a comprehensive renovation of the area that has served as the city’s civic and signature special event and gathering space for 55 years. Construction began in October 2021. The overhaul of the area included improvements to structural and electrical deficiencies as well as enhancements to provide a safe and more attractive environment for residents and visitors. The outdoor public space also was updated to be event ready, placing it in a competitive position to attract large‐scale events.

The project was designed and built with sustainability in mind by adding planted bioswales to collect and capture stormwater, permeable pavements with underground water conveyance, targeted roof water collection at the East Bowl structure to supply existing trees with an extra boost of water, reducing turf lawn and water features and incorporating new low water use plants.

Improvements include a new permanent stage at the east bowl with a shade structure, and a new centrally located 360‐degree performance structure between the civic loop and west bowl. The Social Hub, located between Scottsdale City Hall and the civic center library, provides direct connection to a new children’s library entrance and boasts a splash pad and fog feature, a children’s play area and shaded social and picnic areas. Substantial reconstruction of the west entrance – now named west paseo – new restrooms near the Social Hub and updated city hall lagoons round out the project improvements. The $33.5 million project was financed primarily with bonds approved by Scottsdale voters in 2019.

Art remains a core element of the Scottsdale Civic Center. Many of the beloved pieces of the Scottsdale Public Art Collection are back, with some in new locations. The intuitive Civic Loop provides a walking experience to view most of the iconic public art within the civic center.

In addition to the Crescordia, Scottsdale Water received an award of distinction for water conservation communications. The department initiated an expansion of its water conservation efforts through wider funding, communication efforts, ordinance changes, new building code adoptions and incentives and educational programs.

The Arizona Forward organization works to improve the environmental sustainability and economic vitality of Arizona and local regions.