HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdale commemorated its 42nd year as a Tree City USA community with a tree and cactus planting ceremony at Earth Fest. Having been recognized as a national Tree City USA community since 1982, Scottsdale holds the record for the longest designation in Arizona. This honor highlights the city’s commitment to growing Scottsdale’s urban canopy, which is reflected in significant achievements such as the 100 trees added during the Civic Center renovation. Certified city arborists and park maintenance professionals manage more than 21,000 trees, and on average we add or replace about 300 trees per year.
In collaboration with several city departments, Earth Fest highlighted Scottsdale’s dedication to sustainability and provided valuable resources for residents to learn about conservation efforts and outdoor activities.
Scottsdale’s Bridge Housing Program continues helping those in need. As of April 2024, the program maintained an 86% success rate, with more than 130 individuals finding safe transitional housing. A recent success story involves a single mother and her three children who faced homelessness after her work contract ended prematurely. Upon entering the Bridge Housing Program, the children were able to continue attending their Scottsdale schools, and the client secured full-time employment with an agency that provided housing for her and her children. If you or someone you know needs help, visit the city’s assistance website.
ADOT advises drivers to plan for nightly closures, tonight through May 2, as part of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway improvements. Bell Road at the Loop 101 will be closed 9 p.m.-5 a.m. nightly, Monday, April 29, through Thursday, May 2, for bridge construction. The north- and southbound frontage roads will remain open and access to businesses and local streets will be maintained during the closure.
This is part of Arizona Department of Transportation’s two-year project to add lanes and improve interchanges on Loop 101 between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road. “Stay in the Loop” by subscribing to project updates on ADOT’s website.
Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host.
Week of May 6 (Posted so far; check back next week for the full list):
Celebrate the history of the Indian Bend Wash with free community events throughout May. The Indian Bend Wash flood control project transformed a serious flooding hazard into a world-renowned network of parks, lakes, paths and golf courses traversing through the heart of Scottsdale. In 1985, Scottsdale officially dedicated the $54 million project, nearly 20 years after the first park in the Indian Bend Wash was built.
Spanning 11 miles in the heart of Scottsdale, the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt features more than 24 grade-separated crossings. This project is rated among the top urban “green spaces” in Arizona.
Help us celebrate the history and beautiful landscapes of the Indian Bend Wash with free community events and activities throughout May:
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Playground Jam Fest: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4, Indian School Park, 4289 N. Hayden Road. Rock out at Indian School Park with live entertainment and family fun!
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Paws in the Park: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, May 19, Chaparral Dog Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road. Bring your four-legged friends to Chaparral Park for this free event featuring local dog vendors!
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Dive-in Movie: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, May 25, Eldorado Aquatic Center, 2301 N. Miller Road. Join us for a free movie with a splash at Eldorado Aquatic Center! The movie will start shortly after sunset.
Embark on a transformative journey of understanding and inclusion at a Neurodiversity Awareness seminar. This free two-part seminar is open to the public and designed to cultivate awareness and appreciation for neurodiversity in the workplace. Attendees will learn about the fundamental concept of neurodiversity, unraveling its complexities and shedding light on the diverse spectrum of conditions it encompasses. The city’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Mayo Clinic present the first part from noon- 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West 3830 N. Marshall Way. Part two will be at noon, Tuesday, June 25, location to be determined. Read the flyer (PDF).
Investing in Our Scottsdale: Transportation and Streets completed four intersection improvement projects in April. Vehicle turning capacity was increased with the construction of dual left turn lanes for north and southbound traffic at the Hayden and Indian Bend roads intersection; new traffic signals and pedestrian crossing systems were installed at three intersections: north of the Indian Bend Wash and Arizona Canal multiuse path juncture, Osborn Road and 64th Street, Scottsdale and Dove Valley roads, and Scottsdale Road and First Avenue.
Learn how Scottsdale assists “bread and butter” businesses during National Small Business Week, April 28-May 4. The U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes the hard work, ingenuity and dedication of America’s small businesses and celebrates their contributions to the economy. In Scottsdale:
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Small business owners not only make a living for themselves, but they also make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live and work.
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Small businesses play a crucial role in the community by promoting economic growth, job creation, innovation and community development.
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More than 95% of businesses employ fewer than 50 employees.
Small business highlight: The Merchantile Market is a boutique marketplace where designers, makers, artists and local businesses come together under one roof to reveal their best products and services. Specifically designed to be a place where visitors can shop from small and local businesses, create something in their DIY area, or attend events with family and friends. The market also hosts a vibrant outdoor market with more than 100 vendors.
Scottsdale by the numbers:
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Residents, businesses, organizations and others donated more than 5,000 pounds of food for Vista del Camino’s Food Bank “Bin Challenge.”
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Approximately 584 baseball teams participated in at least 1,000 games on 26 Scottsdale fields for the March Triple Crown Sports Tournament. This was the city’s 14th year hosting the tournament.
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Transportation and Streets crews installed more than 300 Americans with Disabilities Act ramps so far this year. That builds on the 4,138 ramps installed over the last five years.
Job of the Week: Enterprise Security Analyst. The city is searching for a skilled analyst to fortify our digital defenses. In this role, you'll be the guardian of our information security systems, ensuring they're always up to par. From firewalls to secure file transfers, you'll handle it all, including critical infrastructure. You'll also be the go-to person for monitoring risks, enforcing standards and championing cybersecurity awareness across all departments. Learn more and apply.
