Edward Gately, The Republic | azcentral.com

Scottsdale has made redevelopment along the McDowell Road corridor a top priority.

The nearly 3-mile stretch from Loop 101 to 64th Street at the Phoenix border was particularly hard-hit by the recession, with abandoned auto dealerships and retail outlets marking what was once one of Scottsdale’s showcase commercial corridors.

While many of those vacant spaces remain, various projects are in the works to bring new residential, commercial and retail to the corridor, a trend that city officials hope will spur momentum and attract more new investment along McDowell.

Here is a look at projects that are breathing new life into the corridor and challenges that still remain.

The SkySong effect

SkySong, the Arizona State University Scottsdale Innovation Center, was the first to add a new residential building to the corridor, on its campus at the southeastern corner of Scottsdale and McDowell roads. SkySong is an incubator to help foster startup companies.

The apartments have been completed, while a third office building, SkySong III, is nearing completion. Construction is slated to begin this fall on a fourth office building, SkySong IV, as well as a new retail and restaurant building.

Mark Taylor apartments

Just east of SkySong, on the south side of McDowell Road, construction is progressing on Mark Taylor’s 572-unit gated apartment community, San Travesia. The first buildings will be open later this year. Most of the acreage had been occupied by the abandoned Los Arcos Crossing shopping center. Cox Communications recently announced the Mark Taylor project will be among the first in the Valley to be fitted with its new gigabit Internet service, which promises speeds 100 times faster than basic broadband.

Las Aguas apartments

Chason Development plans to build its Las Aguas apartment complex on the parcel that formerly housed Pitre Buick, on the north side of McDowell west of 68th Street. The complex will include 154 units. The project was given the OK after months of negotiations between the developer and a nearby neighborhood on elements of the project.

Chapman Automotive Group

Chapman continues to thrive and has expanded its presence along the corridor while many other dealerships either closed or moved north. The corridor was once known as the Motor Mile for its concentration of auto dealerships. Chapman Autoplex Scottsdale is at 66th Street and McDowell Road.

Redevelopment opportunities

A string of abandoned auto dealerships on the north side of McDowell Road east of 68th Street invites investors to consider the possibilities for future redevelopment. The properties were vacated after several dealers left to set up shop at newer autoplexes near freeway interchanges.