Lane: Unwarranted referendum for Southbridge II will be a costly, year-long delay for needed redevelopment

With the strong private revitalization and redevelopment of residential and commercial properties in south Scottsdale, downtown, uptown, the Airpark and residential housing throughout our city, coupled with tourism-generated funding revitalization and redevelopment for our great public event venues and amenities for tourism and residents, one area is still in need and wanting for revitalization and redevelopment.”

Mayor Jim Lane

A number of Scottsdale citizens have asked me about the Southbridge II redevelopment project that is now the subject of a referendum.

This referendum seeks to reverse the council’s approval of Southbridge II. This redevelopment project is part a long-time planned revitalization of Old Town’s underdeveloped canal’s southside adjacent to the north side of Fifth Avenue, and between Fifth Avenue and Stetson out to Scottsdale Road.

The preponderance of this area of Scottsdale’s Old Town has changed little since it was built in the 50s and 60s. The need and desire for revitalization has been understood for some years.

Fred Unger’s Southbridge was an initial revitalization effort for the area. Southbridge II is the continuation of that planned revitalization.

The Great Recession put most all investment in Scottsdale’s revitalization to a halt for years, including Mr. Unger’s purchased land holdings in that area.

The Political Action Committee setup to refer for reversal of the council’s project approval was established and is supported by 2.5% of the business/property owners, while the balance of the number have indicated their desire and support for Southbridge II.

I stated my reasons for my vote to approve along with the council’s majority. I can understand however that many were not engaged with the subject at that time, and may not heard or come to know of my expressed reasons, or the particulars of its value to Scottsdale’s Old Town and/or the consequences of a rejection of the project.

This property owner and his site proposal went through the city’s extensive legal and regulatory processes as required. It was accomplished over a period of nearly two years, though the revitalization project, in different forms, has been discussed for many years.

The Planning Commission recommended it to council with an enthusiastic community sentiment of approval. With the Planning Commission’s strong recommendation, the council and the city manager still needed to, and did work through the necessary processes of review, study and assessment of all city and community issues for an agreed upon development agreement.

With no less than six executive sessions the council worked with the city manager to incorporate the terms, conditions and stipulations necessary to address any and all the issues important to the city, the neighboring businesses, and to the redevelopment of this very important site.

All members of council participated in these sessions. Many other areas were reviewed for necessary adds, deletes, amendments and/or mitigating provisions within the development agreement for the beneficial improvement of the proposed project for the city, citizens and affected parties.

With the strong private revitalization and redevelopment of residential and commercial properties in south Scottsdale, downtown, uptown, the Airpark and residential housing throughout our city, coupled with tourism-generated funding revitalization and redevelopment for our great public event venues and amenities for tourism and residents, one area is still in need and wanting for revitalization and redevelopment.

That is the north side of Old Town adjacent to the south bank of the canal.

Though referendums are a legitimate process. It is not warranted here.

I hope that you will see the value of our approval of this project as set forth with the city’s compliance stipulations as outlined in the development agreement and avoid a costly and, I believe an unnecessary year-long delay.

Editor’s Note: Jim Lane is the mayor of Scottsdale.