Beth Duckett, The Republic | azcentral.com

 

Scottsdale is making progress on efforts to revitalize the McDowell Road corridor, including funding programs that could spruce up the look of local businesses and neighborhoods.

The city’s McDowell Corridor spans the three miles of McDowell Road from Pima Road west to Phoenix, and includes surrounding neighborhoods.

The Scottsdale City Council recently received an update on continuing efforts to reinvigorate the area of south Scottsdale, which has faced economic decline in recent years.

Construction activity has “definitely increased in the corridor,” said Kim Chafin, Scottsdale senior planner.

Since October, the city has issued building permits in the corridor valued at more than $100 million, a jump from previous years.

A good chunk of the permits are related to Mark-Taylor apartments on McDowell Road between Miller and Scottsdale roads, as well as apartments, a third building and a parking garage at SkySong, all of which are under construction.

SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, is at the former Los Arcos Mall site. The McDowell area has struggled for years after the closing of Los Arcos and loss of long-standing car dealerships.

The permits are likely an indication the economy is bouncing back and the “area is beginning to take revitalization seriously,” said Randy Grant, Scottsdale’s planning, neighborhood and transportation administrator.

In a strategic plan, Scottsdale has at least 18 initiatives planned or under way for the southern gateway of Scottsdale.

Among the plans are:

• A facade improvement program for business storefronts.

On Tuesday, the council will consider approving $200,000 for the program using federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

The program would serve much of downtown Scottsdale, as well as the southwest corner of Scottsdale and McDowell roads, Chafin said. She said there are about 800 businesses in those areas.

To promote reinvestment, the federal funds would match private investment by up to half of the improvement costs, Chafin said.

On April 29, the council will consider a separate Neighborhood Enhancement program.

It would allocate $50,000 for neighborhood-related improvements, Chafin said. The program helps stave off the deterioration of aging neighborhoods by encouraging property owners to spruce up their neighborhoods.

• The purchase of berms, or raised mounds, on the north side of McDowell Road at the Indian Bend Wash.

Those berms would be leveled and landscaped at an estimated cost of $970,000, Chafin said.

The berms are considered less attractive and a visual obstruction to the wash and its recreational amenities, Chafin said.

The parcels also “are small and not very suitable for commercial development,” she said.

• A banner program in the area.

Banners at SkySong already exist. Chafin said city staff has started early research on banner programs in other areas.

The city could consider a banner program along other parts of the McDowell Corridor.

• A bike-sharing program, which is on hold in Scottsdale and other cities.

Riders can rent bikes at racks. Grid Bikes is working with Phoenix to adjust a launch date to this fall for its full-scale bike-sharing program in the city, a company official said.

The goal is to eventually expand into Tempe and Mesa, the company said.

Chafin noted that Mesa’s and Tempe’s involvement in the bike sharing is delayed.

• Changes in bus service and frequency.

For example, McDowell Road Route 17 could begin 15-minute service from 44th Street to Granite Reef Road by October.

It currently serves riders every 30 minutes.