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Scottsdale Update – March 3, 2025

HEADLINE NEWS

Scottsdale is once again a Gold “What Works City.” The city of Scottsdale once again earned the prestigious What Works Cities Certification at the gold level for 2024. 

This distinction recognizes Scottsdale’s exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions, improve services and engage residents. The award was presented by Results for America, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the What Works Cities Certification Standard Committee. 
Included among Scottsdale’s notable accomplishments in the last year were:

  • Scottsdale was ranked the No. 1 Digital City for the second year in a row. This includes the introduction of new resident engagement platforms like Speak Up Scottsdale. 
  • The Scottsdale Police Department launched the Real Time Crime Center, which uses advanced technology for large-scale event management and real-time crime prevention and response. 
  • Scottsdale earned the Voice of the People (VOP) Award for Excellence in Online Engagement for the second year in a row. 

The certification is based on an extensive assessment of 43 criteria, measuring the city’s progress in implementing data and evidence-based practices across various public services.

The What Works Cities Certification is awarded to cities that demonstrate a commitment to high standards of transparency, performance management, and data-informed decision-making.

Learn about improvements coming to Pima Road. The city of Scottsdale is designing improvements for a one-mile segment of Pima Road between Happy Valley and Jomax roads. Learn more about the project at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road. The meeting will start with a presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Learn how Scottsdale Airport’s future is taking shape. Scottsdale Airport is shaping its future through an ongoing Airport Master Plan Update. With two key chapters drafted, Inventory of Existing Conditions and Aviation Activity Forecast, the public is invited to learn more about the airport’s current assets and anticipated aviation demand at an upcoming public workshop.

The workshop takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Scottsdale Aviation Business Center, 15000 N. Airport Drive, second floor. Attendees are asked to share their input with the project team who will be on hand to answer questions. 

Learn more.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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 March 3:

Week of March 10 – Check back next week for the full list:

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.

Find more public meetings.

THINGS TO DO

Play ball! Spring training is happening at Scottsdale Stadium. Catch the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action before beginning their regular season. Scottsdale Stadium is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants and offers a game experience like no other.

For spring training tickets, visit MLB.com/SpringTraining.

Catch a free ride to Scottsdale Stadium. The Scottsdale Trolley is offering a free hop-on, hop-off service during all Giants home games, making it a breeze to get to and from the ballpark.

The trolley service begins 1.5 hours before first pitch and runs until 30 minutes after the final inning, with trolleys arriving at designated stops every 20 minutes. Convenient stops are located near key parking garages in Old Town Scottsdale.

View the trolley map.

Get complete information about spring training in Scottsdale at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “spring training.”

Scottsdale Concert Band presents: To Boldy Go (Outer Space Exploration). The Scottsdale Concert Band wants to take you for a ride - in space!

Directed by Jeff Quamo, the program will include Symphonic Suite from Star Trek; Theme from E.T.; Jupiter from The Planets; and more.

  • 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the Scottsdale Community College amphitheater, 9000 E. Chaparral Road.
  • Tickets are free

The Robert Cray Band. Described by The Village Voice as “a distinctive, multi-threat talent,” the legendary blues-soul-rock musician Robert Cray is celebrating fifty years on the road!  

Sun & Sounds: Talia Roya and The Haymarket Squares. Experience music by singer-songwriter Talia Roya and Arizona’s finest purveyors of punk grass, The Haymarket Squares, at this free outdoor concert at Scottsdale Civic Center in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere with unique artist vendors and cold drinks at the bar.

  • Noon on Sunday, March 9, at the Scottsdale Civic Center
  • Tickets are free

Join Scottsdale to honor Vietnam veterans on Saturday, March 29. In 2025, the United States is recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. To honor local Vietnam veterans, the city of Scottsdale is hosting a free lunchtime event at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29 — National Vietnam Veterans Day — at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl. 

Hosted by the Scottsdale Veterans Advisory Commission, the event is a public show appreciation to those who served during the Vietnam era. This community gathering will feature complimentary lunch for registered guests, and special guest speaker, Vietnam veteran Frank Lambert.  

Ongoing:

Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Veterans AZ explores the HonorHealth Military Partnership Program. The latest episode of Veterans AZ takes us behind the scenes of an innovative training program that helps medical providers in uniform prepare for active-duty military service. Since it began in 2004, HonorHealth's Military Partnership Program has trained more than 3,500 soldiers and airmen in trauma and deployment skills - critical abilities that help save lives. 

Join this conversation with Roxanne Flynn and Donna Tew from HonorHealth to learn more about the ways the Military Partnership Program supports the men and women in uniform, and also first responders right here in Arizona. Watch the episode on the city’s YouTube channel or listen in your favorite podcast app.

Learn more about the HonorHealth Military Partnership program at https://www.honorhealth.com/company/military-partnership.

Shred It! Protect your identity by bringing your personal and/or commercial documents to the "Shred It" event. Shredding costs $5 per box or bag.  

  • 7-10 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Scottsdale Police Department, District 1, 7601 E. McKellips Road

    FYI

    Experience Scottsdale’s return on investment is $116 in visitor spending and $4 in taxes for every $1 spent on advertising. The city of Scottsdale and Experience Scottsdale, the community’s destination marketing organization, worked with Longwoods International to determine the return on investment from Experience Scottsdale’s advertising in generating tourism business to the area and in encouraging economic development activity.

    Experience Scottsdale’s marketing efforts span across the United States – as well as Canada, Mexico and overseas – reaching potential visitors in key markets such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Denver and more.

    Destination marketing contributes to a positive overall impression of the area. Consumers who recalled their advertising were not only more likely to visit, but also more likely to view Scottsdale as a good place to live, work, start a business, attend college, purchase a vacation home, and retire.

    To see the full report, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “Advertising Effectiveness Report.”

    Job of the Week: Head Lifeguard (part-time).  As a head lifeguard, you will work closely with assistant pool managers to help ensure the safe and efficient operation of the city's swimming pool facilities while fostering a welcoming environment for our community. This role offers an exciting opportunity for those passionate about water safety, customer service, and community engagement.

    City employees enjoy competitive benefits while working in a supportive, high-performance organization focused on delivering on our mission - Simply Better Service for a World-Class Community. Learn more and apply.

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    by Office of Communications
    Mar 3, 2025
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