scottsdale bond vote may determine future of variety of projects

Work on a sweeping array of infrastructure projects totaling nearly $320 million in Scottsdale is up for grabs in the city’s upcoming November election.

After months of public input designed to determine the city’s most pressing needs, voters will be looking at three separate bonds devoted to park and recreation facilities work; community space; and public safety and technology projects.

Among the work to be funded with the first $112 million bond is the replacement of a building at the Cactus Aquatic Center, and two new swimming pools. Aging buildings will be replaced at the Comprise Paiute Community Center, with a new dog park built for the interior of the Thompson Peak Park.

Also to be funded: the construction of a new 17-acre park in the city’s Whisper Rock neighborhood.

Question number two is also calling for $112 million in bonds for everything from replacing aging infrastructure and building an events space at the city’s Civic Center Plaza, to an irrigation project in the Vista del Camino Park, and seven separate facility/infrastructure projects for the popular West World special events facility.

The last question is calling for just over $94 million in bonds for a series of public safety projects including the replacement of Scottsdale’s aging planning and permitting software, employee training software, and emergency response equipment for the city’s fire department.

Scottsdale voters have not approved a major bond proposal in nearly 20 years.

In a public endorsement, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane said, “I certainly understand in our past years of difficult economic times a public desire to defer attention to long-term capital infrastructure needs. But now, answering these needs is more acute and there is no question on how needed these improvements are.”

By Garry Boulard

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