Waves of change swept over Scottsdale like waves of heat across the desert in 2004.
The political, business and even physical landscape of the city underwent upheaval. This list, in no particular order, represents some of the most dramatic and significant stories for the East Valley.
RAWHIDE STAMPEDES SOUTH
Sprawling over a prime piece of desert along Scottsdale Road just south of Pinnacle Peak Road, Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse has been a fixture in the community for more than three decades.
The land on which the Old West-replica town sits was sold to a development group for $46 million in June by longtime owner Jerry Hirsch.
More than 50 communities across the Valley – and even the West – expressed interest in purchasing the famous clapboard facades and the "Rawhide" name. Nineteen submitted formal offers.
In the end, an American Indian community purchased the 1880s cowboy town for an undisclosed price.
Gila River Indian Community and its development authority will assume ownership and operation of Rawhide on Feb. 16. The Scottsdale location will close on Sept. 9, and the new Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass will reopen on Nov. 1.
It will be part of the 2,400-acre Wild Horse Pass development area on the west side of Interstate 10 just south of Ahwatukee Foothills.
The Western theme park – known for its gunfight shows and true-to-era dirt roads – is a contradiction to the sea of housing and retail developments nearby. The urbanization of Scottsdale was one of the reasons Hirsch said he wanted to sell, although the new Rawhide will be built steps from a casino and have better freeway access.
Rawhide is Scottsdale’s biggest tourist draw, attracting 600,000 visitors last year.
DOWNTOWN MAKEOVER GETS UNDER WAY
It wasn’t so long ago that downtown Scottsdale was abuzz with concerns that it was spiraling toward stagnation. Projects were stalled, debated to death or voted down.
But three major developments have broken ground this year, contributing to the $1 billion in overall private and public reinvestment that is taking place within its 786 acres.
One of the city’s most prestigious addresses, Scottsdale and Camelback roads, is poised to sprout the $250 million Scottsdale Waterfront luxury condominium towers, where crews are building its first phase.
The urban styling of the planned Main Street Plaza Scottsdale is under construction and has already sold dozens of lofts and condos, some reaching prices as high as $2.5 million. And the historic Hotel Valley Ho, once a desert retreat for the Hollywood set, is getting a $70 million makeover.
Third Avenue Lofts opened, and its 88 units are nearly sold out. Other projects, such as the 750-unit Optima Camelview Village, north of Scottsdale Fashion Square, were approved this year.
There’s the James Hotel Scottsdale, boasting the chic J Bar and a 300-seat restaurant, that opened last winter.
And the City Council recently approved plans for a prestigious W Hotel, a project that will put Scottsdale on the map with the likes of New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Seoul, South Korea.
LOS ARCOS SITE
With a 5-2 council vote in July, the former Los Arcos Mall site finally, officially became something other than a vacant lot after a six-year debate. The ASU Scottsdale Center for New Technology and Innovation is to be a major research park, central to the city’s efforts to revitalize its southern half.
Ellman sold the 40-acre site to the Arizona State University Foundation, the college’s independent fundraising-arm, which in turn sold it to the city for $41.5 million. Scottsdale is projected to spend about $130 million on the project. A group of community activists failed to gather enough signatures to force a public vote on the project.
The ASU Foundation is slated to select an architect and developer for the project in February.
Construction is scheduled to begin December 2005.
By Bill Bertolino Tribune
