With economics the first priority, the city plans to hire a consultant to analyze the area, she said. This feasibility study would take in demographics, economic factors and the potential for a plan that would generate revenue and offer the community some amenities at the same time. We need some good restaurants, movie theaters, activities for young people. Rick Kidder, executive vice president of Scottsdale's Chamber of Commerce, said the business community needs to play a big role in developing any future plan. High-quality but affordable housing, mixed with a smaller shopping center, could be the key, he added.
Neighbors are ready to take command.
Nancy Cantor, who formerly sat on the Neighborhood Enhancement Commission, which studied the area in 1994, said a core group of about 88 people was ready to sit and deal as an ad-hoc task force. Along with shopping that would serve the neighborhood, Cantor said, a mix of housing serving various levels of income needs to be considered. Economic Development Director Dave Roderique cautioned that Ellman still owns the property. The city is looking into the potential of the existing stadium financing district as a way of using tax dollars for some kind of sports or entertainment uses, perhaps even a minor-league facility, he added. The feasibility study and other information-gathering should yield some results in about two months, Roderique said.