It has been called everything from the “West’s Most Western Town” to “a desert version of Miami’s South Beach,” and that’s the beauty of Scottsdale, Arizona. This upscale community, which is growing by leaps and bounds, offers something for all tastes. Its flourishing economy is built on a healthy blend of the hospitality industry, which caters to both the business and leisure visitor; financial and business services, and world renown medical providers, such as the Mayo Clinic. Its major employers in the private sector include Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale Healthcare and General Dynamics C4 Systems. Top public employers include the City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Unified School District and the U.S. Postal Service.
Scottsdale was founded in 1888 by U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott. Scottsdale is located in Maricopa County at an elevation of 1,260 feet.
Scottsdale is home to close to 15,000 hotel rooms, many in world-class resorts, as well as award-winning destination spas and restaurants, and a thriving cultural arts community of internationally renown artists and galleries, live theaters and museums. Its architecture borrows heavily from the Native American and Spanish influences that are part of the Scottsdale real estate history. Among the many events that shine national and international spotlights on the city are the annual Fiesta Bowl Artwalk, Barrett-Jackson Collector Automobile Auction, FBR Open golf tournament and P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon each January; the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in February, and Scottsdale Fashion Week in November.
As designated by Sister Cities International, Scottsdale has four sister cities — Alamos, Mexico; Cairns, Queensland, Australia; Interlaken, Switzerland; Kingston, Ontario, Canada — and one in the process — Marrakech, Morocco.
History
Perhaps Scottsdale should have been called “Canal Town.” From about 300 BC to 1400 AD, members of the Hohokam civilization farmed the area and built an ingenious series of irrigation canals that today’s archaeologists have compared to those used in the ancient Near East, Egypt and China. The Hohokam mysteriously disappeared, but their legacy did not. In 1868, long after the Pima Indian tribe settled in the area and European settlers arrived, the more than 125 miles of canals built by the Hohokam were adapted by the first Anglo company — the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company. Two decades later, U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott paid all of $2.50 an acre for a 640-acre stretch of land where the city is now located. Scott’s brother, George Washington Scott, was the first resident of the community that was first named Orangedale and then renamed Scottsdale in 1894.
Demographics
Scottsdale has grown since its incorporation in 1951 from a population of 2,000 people on one square mile to, in 2007, an energetic and sophisticated community of more than 240,700 people residing on 185 square miles. More than 80 percent of the population is over 18 years old, with median age as 41. THe median income for a family is $73,846
Weather
Scottsdale’s year-round sunshine makes it a favorite recreation destination. Its yearly average low temperature is 53.5 degrees F.; the yearly average high is 85.9. Summer temperatures average a high of 103.9 in August, when residents and tourists escape the heat with early morning and late evening hikes and golf games and all-day swimming.
MUNICIPAL/CONTACT INFORMATION
City of Scottsdale
7447 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-3111
Fax: 480-312-2888
Web: www.scottsdaleaz.gov
City of Scottsdale Elections
Phone: City Clerk 480-312-2411
Web: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/elections.asp
Scottsdale Fire Department
Fire Chief William L. McDonald
Headquarters: 8401 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Emergencies: 911
Administrative Phone: 480-312-8000
Web: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire.asp
Ambulance
Professional Medical Transport
Emergencies: 911
Administrative Phone: 480-804-7400
Web: www.pmtambulance.com
Scottsdale Police Department
Police Chief Alan G. Rodbell
Headquarters: 8401 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Emergencies: 911
Administrative Phone: 480-312-5000
Web: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Police/contact.asp
State
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Web: www.azdps.gov/
CRIME WATCH
Local Arrests/Crime Statistics and Reports like the PVI TO COME
Scottsdale Crime Data Maps: http://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/dmc/crimes/default.asp
Scottsdale Crime Statistics: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Police/Police_Public_Information_and_Events/crimeanalysis.asp
Neighborhood Watch Groups: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/safety/nw.asp
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY
Scottsdale Government
City Hall
3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Mayor’s Office: 480-312-2433
Council members Office: 480-312-2550
Mayor
W.J. “Jim” Lane: jlane@scottsdaleaz.gov
Councilmembers
Lisa M. Borowsky: lborowsky@scottsdaleaz.gov
Wayne Ecton: wecton@scottsdaleaz.gov
Suzanne Klapp: sklapp@scottsdaleaz.gov
Robert Littlefield: rlittlefield@scottsdaleaz.gov
Ron McCullagh: rmccullagh@scottsdaleaz.gov
Marg Nelssen: mnelssen@scottsdaleaz.gov
Arizona Government
Governor Jan Brewer (R)
Office of the Governor, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-4331
Web: www.azgovernor.gov
Attorney General Terry Goddard (D)
Office of the Attorney Governor, Department of Law, 1275 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-542-5025
Web: www.azag.gov
U.S. Senate
Senator John McCain (R), 241 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-2235
District Office: 2400 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite 1150, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: 602-952-2410
Web: http://mccain.senate.gov
Senator Jon Kyl (R), 730 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-4521
District Office: 2200 E. Camelback Road, Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: 602-840-1891
Web: http://kyl.senate.gov
Maricopa County
Web: www.maricopa.gov
Web: www.az.gov
Vehicle Registration/Voter Registration
Web: www.ServiceArizona.com
State Government Portal
Web: http://az.gov/webapp/portal/
Arizona Ombudsman – Citizens’ Aide
Web: www.azleg.gov/ombudsman/default.asp
Emergency Preparedness
Web: www.az211.gov
Arizona Department of Transportation
Web: www.az511.com
Maricopa County Dust Control Complaints
Phone: 602-506-6616
Maricopa County Health Department
Phone: 602-506-6900
Maricopa County Recorder/Elections
Phone – Recorder: 602-506-3535
Phone – Elections: 602-506-1511
Maricopa County Tax Assessor
Phone: 602-506-3406
REAL ESTATE
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 360
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 287-5200
Web: www.russlyon.com
HOSPITALS
Scottsdale Healthcare
Web: www.shc.org
Three main locations:
Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn, Downtown Scottsdale
7400 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-882-4000
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Scottsdale
9003 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: 480-323-3000
Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak, North Scottsdale
7400 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: 480-324-7810
Mayo Clinic
Web: www.mayoclinic.org
Two main locations:
Mayo Clinic North Scottsdale
13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259
Phone: 480-301-8000
Fax: 480-301-7006
Web: www.mayoclinic.org/scottsdale
Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix
5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phone: 480-515-6296
Fax: 480-342-1138
Web: www.mayoclinic.org/scottsdale
AIRPORTS
Scottsdale Airport
15000 N. Airport Drive, Second Floor, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: 480-312-2321
Fax: 480-312-8480
Web: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602-273-3300
Web: http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION/
ANIMAL CONTROL
Phoenix Herpetological Society (snake removal)
PMB 401 20710 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 107, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: 602-550-1090
Web: www.phoenixherp.com
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
2630 W. 8 th St., Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: 602-506-7387 (PETS)
Web: www.maricopa.gov/Pets/
Arizona Humane Society
Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion
1521 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041
Phone: 602-997-7586
Web: www.azhumane.org
Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Foundation
11825 N. 70th Place, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Phone: 480-998-5550
Web: www.libertywildlife.org
Arizona Dept. of Game and Fish
5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000
Phone: 602-942-3000
Web: www.azgfd.gov/
UTILITIES
Electrical
APS
www.aps.com, 800-253-9405 statewide
Salt River Project
www.srpnet.com, 602-236-8888
Natural Gas
Southwest Gas Corp.
www.swgas.com, 800-766-9722 statewide
Sewer
City of Scottsdale Sewer
www.scottsdaleaz.gov, 480-391-5650
Telephone
AT&T
www.att.com, 800-222-0400 statewide
Qwest
www.qwest.com, 800-244-1111 statewide
Water
Central Arizona Project
www.cap-az.com, 480-870-2333
City of Scottsdale Water
www.scottsdaleaz.gov, 480-391-5650
Salt River Project Water
www.srpnet.com, 602-236-3333
Municipal Projects in Your Neighborhood
Enter your nearest cross streets to find out which municipal projects, such as road repairs and construction, are taking place in your neighborhood.
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/projects/myneighborhood.asp
WHO TO CONTACT
To find out which materials my community recycles: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/recycle/recyclelist.asp or 480-312-5600
If I need to change a court date: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/courts/questions.asp or 480-312-2442
If I want to participate in the Adopt-A-Road program: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/departments/CNR/CustomerService/Adopt-A-Road.asp or 480-312-7900
LIBRARIES
Scottsdale Public Library
Phone — All locations: 480-312-READ (7323)
Web: www.scottsdalelibrary.org
Four locations:
Civic Center Library, Downtown Scottsdale
3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251-4452
Hours: M-Th: 9 am-9 pm, F-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun. 1-5pm
Arabian Library, North Scottsdale
10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255-8600
Hours: M-Th: 9am-8pm; F-Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 1-5pm
Mustang Library
10101 N. 90 th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85258-4404
Hours: M-Th: 9am-8pm; F-Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: 1-5pm
Palomino Library
Campus of Desert Mountain High School
12575 E. Via Linda, Suite 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85259-4310
Hours: M-Th: 9am-8pm; F-Sat: 10am-6pm; Sun: Closed. Opens 7:45am M-F when school is in session.
THINGS TO DO/TOURISM
USEFUL RESOURCES
Arizona Office of Tourism
1110 W. Washington, Suite 155, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-364-3700
Web: www.ArizonaGuide.com
Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
One Arizona Center, 400 E. Van Buren St., Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85004-2290
Phone: 602-254-6500/toll-free 800-225-5749
Fax: 602-253-4415
Web: www.visitphoenix.com
Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau/Culture Quest Scottsdale
Galleria Corporate Centre, 4343 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-421-1004/Toll-free: 800-782-1117
Fax: 480-421-9733
Web: www.scottsdalecvb.com
Scottsdale Downtown Group
4248 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-312-7750
Web: www.scottsdaledowntown.com
Scottsdale Cultural Council
Physical Address: 7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Mailing Address: 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-874-4610
Email: culturalcouncil@sccarts.org
Web: www.sccarts.org. Includes links to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Theater 4301.
Other resources:
http://phoenix.about.com/od/govtcity/u/neighborhoods.htm#s6