Scottsdale, Arizona
Lifting Redevelopment Threat from Downtown Scottsdale, Ariz.
As a result of grassroots activism and the support of the Institute for Justice, the Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously to repeal the Downtown Redevelopment Area, thus ending the threat of condemnation for hundreds of local businesses. The vote came after a Citizens’ Petition was filed with the council by more than 100 business and property owners asking the council to repeal both the Downtown and Waterfront Redevelopment Areas. For nearly a decade, businesses in those two areas had languished under the cloud of condemnation. Afraid to invest additional capital and unable to sign long-term leases, the downtown area had suffered economically while surrounding areas prospered. Today, downtown Scottsdale business owners are excitedly pouring new capital into their properties and businesses.