Scottsdale approves $2 million Northeast parking design; defers South Indian School expansion decision
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA — July 1, 2024

Scottsdale approves $2 million Northeast parking design; defers South Indian School expansion decision

Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved a $2 million general fund allocation for Northeast quadrant parking structure design while deferring decision on South of Indian School parking expansion, amid public controversy over 2019 bond fund allocation and council division on parking priorities.

Scottsdale Approves Northeast Parking Design While Dodging South Oldtown Commitment Question

The Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved $2 million in general fund allocation to design a new parking structure in the Northeast quadrant of Oldtown on July 1, but deliberately sidestepped a decision on the Corral/First & Brown location south of Indian School Road—a move that effectively splits the funding and defers a politically fraught question about what voters approved in 2019.

Resolution 13157, brought by Public Works Director Dan Warth, authorized the creation of a new capital improvement project for a parking structure north of Indian School and transferred $2 million from the general fund operating balance to fund design and development. The structure at Stone & 6th Avenue would replace surface parking with one below-grade and one above-grade deck, projected to cost $15 million. The council declined to vote on whether to use the remaining $21 million in 2019 bond funds—originally allocated for Oldtown parking—at the contested south-side Corral location, instead directing staff to return with a timeline and formal proposal.

The tension between the two locations exposed a fundamental disagreement over voter intent. The 2019 ballot language stated parking would be built at "locations to be determined" in Oldtown, but the promotional materials distributed during the election campaign listed three specific locations—all south of Indian School Road. Public commenters and multiple council members argued this language created a moral and political obligation to prioritize the Corral/First & Brown location.

Key Speeches

"I've been in business down there for 28 years and I'm literally not calm about this situation. It's really time to stop procrastinating. This Bond was passed in 2019, this here we are five years later and City staff is suggesting you direct the city to build another parking garage not this the one in the Corral and first in brown since 2005 not one single parking place has been added to city-owned inventory." — French Thompson, public commenter and downtown merchant.

"We need the two levels to be done at one time so the merchants business don't have to go through a construction period again at a later time when the city realizes the need for that additional parking. The cost for construction was approved by the voters in 2019 bond election so the funds are available now." — Marilyn Atkinson, Historic Oldtown Architectural Committee (read by Sonny Kirtley).

"Spending money north of Indian School Road contradicts the command that voters gave us on the 2019 ballot. We knew then that the Northeast had a parking shortage. We said on the ballot Oldtown and any most reasonable person would lead to the reasonable expectation that it would be built in the Oldtown vicinity." — Vice Mayor Barry Graham.

"I do want to say that um we already established the need for a public parking structure in the Northeast quadrant at our April work study and we I wasn't prepared to relitigate that. I think we did an excellent job of um convincing and laying out the case so I heard a couple things in the comments that I didn't find true but again we've already litigated that and I don't really want to go back." — Council Member Caputi.

"I don't understand why the bond funds can't be used in the Northeast quadrant... I've taken tours of those several times and I've generally found them to be 1/3 to 1/2 utilized. The basement is hardly ever used now and if we're going to waste money I would only waste money on one level and certainly not on two." — Council Member Tom Durham, opposing expansion at the Corral lot.

Timeline

Opposition

Number of speakers: Three public commenters opposing deferral of the Corral project.

Main concerns:

  1. Voter intent and bond fidelity: The 2019 ballot promotional materials listed three specific south-side locations; voters reasonably expected those sites to be developed first.

  2. Five-year delay: The Corral project has been in discussion since at least 2005, and no single city-owned south-side parking space has been added in nearly 20 years.

  3. Merchant survival: Downtown merchants depend on parking availability, especially during major events (Civic Center, spring training) and new facilities that displace existing parking (Museum Square, Artisan). Delaying the Corral expansion puts merchants at risk and may require two separate construction periods if only one level is built initially.

  4. Temporary Honor Health parking is unsustainable: The 100-space temporary lot north of the Corral is month-to-month with no payment guarantee and can be revoked at any time. It should not be counted on for the merchants' long-term needs.

  5. Construction efficiency: Building two levels at once is cheaper and less disruptive than phasing in a second level later, when construction costs will have escalated further.

  6. Historical precedent: The city previously funded parking garages (Nora, Fifth Avenue) with general funds; there is no reason to treat Oldtown differently.

  7. Functional over aesthetic: Parking serves a functional purpose; design aesthetics can be managed through professional architecture and setbacks without sacrificing capacity.

Support

Number of speakers: Council Members Janik, Barry Graham, Kathy Littlefield, Caputi, and implicitly Solange Whitehead, plus the Mayor.

Main arguments:

  1. Northeast quadrant parking shortage is real and long-standing: The shortage was by design (1970s P2/P3 credits without corresponding parking investment). It is not a new discovery; it predates the 2019 bond.

  2. Both locations are needed: The two garages are not mutually exclusive. Different uses (short-term appointments vs. all-day shopping/dining) and different times (full three-hour limits at Corral; quick turnaround in Northeast) justify both projects.

  3. Bond language permits flexibility: The actual ballot text said "locations to be determined"; the promotional materials were illustrative, not binding. The city can responsibly spend bond funds in the Northeast and general funds in the Northeast while reserving bond funds for south-side projects.

  4. Negotiated spaces offset the three original locations: The city has secured commitments for 155 spaces at Museum Square and 55 at Artisan, totaling more spaces than the three listed options would have provided. This represents good stewardship of bond funds.

  5. Capacity utilization is complex: The Corral lot and neighboring lots (Library, Performing Arts) are not fully used most days, but peak events and special occasions require every spot. Parking demand is episodic; one cannot judge need by snapshot photographs.

  6. Historic design concerns are valid: A two-story structure at First & Brown, adjacent to the historic church and other designated properties, requires careful design. Setbacks, finishes, and materials can mitigate visual impact, but the concern should not be dismissed.

  7. Design expertise is available: Mayor Ortega (noted as "a very capable architect"), the Historic Oldtown Architectural Committee, and professional design consultants can ensure any new structure is compatible with the area's character.

  8. General fund use is defensible: Earlier council decisions (Nora, Fifth Avenue garages) used general funds for parking. There is no policy mandate that parking must come from bonds.

Project Details

Vote Breakdown

Outcome & Next Steps

The council approved Resolution 13157, authorizing the creation of a new CIP project for the Northeast quadrant parking structure and transferring $2 million from the general fund operating balance (within the "General Plan designation" contingency) to fund design and preliminary development in the current fiscal year (FY 2024–25, which began July 1, 2024).

Deferred decision on Corral/South of Indian School: The motion specifically authorized only the Northeast quadrant project and directed staff to return with a formal proposal, timeline, and recommendation for the Corral location at a future council meeting. Solange Whitehead motion language explicitly created the Northeast project using general funds while reserving "future discussion" on South of Indian School projects.

Design timeline: Dan Warth estimated that design procurement and team engagement would require approximately three to four months. Once a design-build team is selected, public hearings will be conducted to gather community input on aesthetics and compatibility with the historic district. Staff will return to council with a definitive proposal and timeline for the Corral project, including setback and design considerations raised by the Mayor and Kathy Littlefield.

Bond fund allocation: The $21 million in remaining 2019 bond funds is now earmarked for the south-side Corral project (one or two decks, estimated $7–10 million). Any unspent bond funds may be reallocated to other Question 2 bond projects (parks, etc.) if the council and bond committee recommend.

CIP integration: The Northeast quadrant project will be formally integrated into the FY 2025–26 Capital Improvement Plan budget process, with staff requesting the remaining ~$13 million needed to begin construction.

Controversies & Context

2019 Bond Fund Allocation Dispute: The core tension centers on whether the 2019 bond ballot language ("locations to be determined") permits the city to spend bond funds in the Northeast quadrant or imposes an implicit obligation to prioritize the three locations listed in the promotional materials—all south of Indian School Road. Public commenters and Barry Graham argued that the promotional materials constituted a binding representation to voters; Council Members Durham and Caputi countered that the ballot language was explicit and flexible, and that the city had negotiated alternative spaces (Museum Square, Artisan) that met the intent to expand parking capacity. Mayor Ortega and City Manager Jim Thompson did not weigh in directly on the legal question but instead proposed a compromise: use general funds for the Northeast and reserve bond funds for the South, thereby respecting both viewpoints without requiring a legal determination.

Parking Utilization Debate: Council Member Durham and Council Member Caputi presented photographic and observational evidence that the Corral lot and adjacent lots (Library, Performing Arts) are underutilized most days, with top floors remaining empty even during large events (Juneteenth celebration). They questioned the logic of adding capacity that will sit idle. Conversely, Council Members Janik and Barry Graham argued that parking demand is episodic and peak-dependent; one cannot judge adequacy by snapshot pictures, and events like spring training and new Civic Center programming will generate demand. Caputi warned against reflexively spending all available bond funds at Corral without assessing whether the money could be better deployed elsewhere or retained for other city priorities.

Historic District Design Concerns: The proposed two-story addition at First & Brown, adjacent to a historic church property and within Scottsdale's historic Oldtown district, raised aesthetic and compatibility concerns. Mayor Ortega and Kathy Littlefield advocated for a setback from the historic church to provide "breathing room" and respect the historic character. Warth presented one-deck and two-deck renderings; the two-deck option appeared more "like a parking garage," according to his description. Kathy Littlefield noted that the city would likely object strenuously if any other building (not a parking garage) were proposed at two stories in the historic district, and suggested that design excellence and material finishes would be required regardless. Council Member Caputi concurred, warning that the city should not simply build more at Corral just because funds are available; it should weigh design compatibility and potential impact on the historic district character.

Merchant Livelihood vs. Parking Capacity: Public commenters (French Thompson, Marilyn Atkinson via Sonny Kirtley, Bob Pigman) framed the Corral project as essential to the economic survival of historic Oldtown merchants, who depend on customer parking—especially when major events or new developments like Museum Square consume existing spaces. They argued that delaying the project or phasing it in two stages would require merchants to endure two separate construction periods, potentially driving them out of business. City staff and Council Member Caputi countered that alternative parking sources (including the negotiated Artisan and Museum Square spaces) and better wayfinding could address the need, and that the underlying question was whether the Corral lot itself was truly underutilized or whether merchants simply lacked awareness of available capacity elsewhere.

Council Division on Funding Source: The council split on whether general funds should be used for parking at all. Council Member Durham opposed using general funds for the Corral project, arguing that the city should first maximize bond allocation and only resort to general funds if necessary. Council Member Caputi supported general fund use but cautioned against reflexive deployment. Barry Graham and Council Member Janik defended the Northeast general fund approach as a fair compromise that honored both viewpoints. City Manager Thompson noted that the city had successfully funded the Nora and Fifth Avenue parking structures with general funds in prior administrations and that current general fund balances ($15 million in General Plan initiatives contingency) were adequate to support the Northeast project without impacting core services.

Procrastination Accusation: French Thompson's public comment contained an emotional charge that the city had "procrastinated" for five years since the 2019 bond passed, and for 20 years since the Corral project was first considered (2005). He contrasted the city's willingness to spend $10 million on a roundabout and to build infrastructure like the Chapparral Road tunnel—projects he characterized as benefiting convenience rather than livelihood—with the delayed parking project. City Manager Thompson responded by defending the city's bond project timeline, citing pandemic delays, cost escalations, and deliberate decisions (e.g., deferring the Westworld stables project when lumber costs spiked) as responsible management rather than procrastination.

Temporary Parking Exposure: Bob Pigman warned that the 100-space Honor Health temporary parking lot is unsustainable and can be revoked at any time, leaving the Corral location with fewer spaces than today if the city builds only one level. This argument buttressed the case for two-level construction at once.

Duration

Other Notable Items

Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program (Work Study Session): The council also heard a work-study presentation on a food waste diversion initiative at city-owned venues (Westworld, Scottsdale Stadium, Civic Center) by Solid Waste Services Director Dave Bennett. A committee studied 15 events over eight months and found minimal food waste at cook-to-order venues (Westworld, outdoor Stadium events) but moderate waste at buffet/plated service events (indoor Stadium events, Civic Center). The committee requested authorization to conduct an 11-month pilot program collecting and diverting food waste from 40+ events to a local composting partner (Recycled City Farm) to measure greenhouse gas reduction and feasibility. Estimated cost: $25,000 for collection and disposal. Solange Whitehead and Janik voiced strong support; Barry Graham raised questions about net greenhouse gas impact (accounting for collection truck emissions) and whether food waste in landfills posed a genuine environmental concern. The council deferred a formal vote (this was a work study, not a consent or regular agenda item) but indicated support for the pilot, with a staff report expected in July 2025. The initiative is being conducted in partnership with Waste Not, a local nonprofit food bank, and builds on an existing relationship with the San Francisco Giants' composting practices during spring training games at Scottsdale Stadium.