Fowled project? Civic Center draws mixed reviews

Apr. 10—For decades, Scottsdale's sprawling, green Civic Center Plaza — a park between City Hall and the main library — was treasured by locals and visitors, viewed as one of the most tranquil places in the bustling Valley.

A few years ago, it landed on USA Today's 10 Best Parks story, which highlighted the mall's "small lagoon with swans."

Arizona Destinations blogger Janice Semmel raved about the space in 2019, writing:

"Shade trees protect the area from the sun and create a haven for the waterfowl by the lake. A mama duck escorts her tiny babies down the middle of the sidewalk with no fear that anyone will disturb them. Winnie and Pooh, two mute swans, glide on the lake and Pooh, the camera hound, comes close for some excellent photo shots."

Now, as a massive renovation runs over time and over budget, some are crying fowl.

In what appears to be a split decision, some are marveling at the sleek, modern renovation of the Civic Center Plaza — while others are outraged and demanding answers to a few questions.

Where are the ducks and swans?

Why isn't there much shade?

What happened to all the grass?

In 2019, as part of a $320 million bond package, voters approved an item called "Replace Aging Infrastructure and Improve Public and Event Spaces on Civic Center Plaza."

Like several other projects in the package, the Civic Center makeover has gone far over budget — $33 million, compared to the original $27.3 million — and is far behind schedule.

While at this time last year it was expected to be "100% done" by Jan. 1, fences are still up, blocking off the under-construction northeast corner.

"Unfortunately, the final phases of the project are now on track to be complete at the end of May," said Erin Walsh, a city spokeswoman, adding that a celebration is planned in the fall.

Though at this time last year Walsh was saying the Civic Center park would be ready at the beginning of 2023, last week she explained the delay:

"This wet weather has unfortunately wreaked havoc with our construction schedule and we have run into a few supply chain and procurement issues that required moving the completion date back."

That pushes a project that began in the fall of 2021 to nearly two years, though Walsh noted Sun and Sounds (the Sunday music series) and other events have been taking place at the partially-opened plaza since mid-January.

This has provided amateur critics a chance to consider the renovation.

Unlike road paving, roundabouts and fire and police stations, this construction project has a special place for people who care not so much about the price tag, but what it looks and feels like.

Many have been startled to find the lagoon gone — as are the ducks and swans that claimed it as their home. Smaller and less flashy "water features" have replaced the fountain-filled lagoon.

"I like the music every Sunday, but it definitely wasn't progress changing the community area," Kathleen-Michael Kelnhofer said in a Facebook post. "It was beautiful with the grass and the flowing stream.

"Now, it's mostly concrete."

On March 19, Gabriel Bey was on the new Civic Center stage, playing rock-jazz fusion. In a narrow area of shade provided by a swirling, roller coaster-track-like accent above the stage, Jean and Tom Van Muse were impressed. The snowbirds split their time between here and Canada.

"It's really nice," Jean said.

"It's much more conducive for these types of events," Tom added.

"Very nice," agreed Lee Andrews, a Phoenix resident who has been to the Civic Center park many times over the years.

"Updated and modern," added his wife, Lori.

But a couple — who asked their names not be used — hunkered down in a sliver of shade near vendors grimaced at the new Civic Center Plaza.

"We like the old version better," the silver-haired woman said. "Especially the water feature. It was pretty."

"It used to look beautiful," her husband said. "Why'd they do this?"

The official answer, according to the city: the lagoon was leaking, other infrastructure was in disrepair and the space was not conducive to events.

Even so, council members like Betty Janik and Kathy Littlefield struggle to answer "Why'd you change the Civic Center park?"

"The good news is I haven't got a lot of emails on it," Janik said, with a chuckle. "But I have gotten some emails. The people who have complained do not like the design ... The comments are general — 'What did you do?' 'We don't like it.' 'It's not better.' A couple of complaints are, 'They took away the grass, we don't like it.'"

While Janik considered design opinions "a personal choice," she has no defense for some gripes:

"The other thing is they've complained about (are) the delays, which is valid."

While Littlefield insisted she was going to wait until the project is complete, after a visit last week, she couldn't help but blurt:

"I miss the ducks!

"I used to go out and feed them and talk to them," she added.

She didn't talk to the old trees, but she misses them, too. "I think there are less (trees)," she said. "Or they've planted smaller trees. But there's not as much shade.

"I think they kind of messed that up."

Littlefield, who started her third term on City Council this year, was quick to add the overall feel is "pretty. I like the stage. I think that's going to be handy for a lot of things."

It seemed like Littlefied was trying to talk herself into liking it — and failing.

"I'm a little disappointed actually in how it looks," she concluded. "I knew they were going more desert and saving on water — but I didn't expect quite so little greenery. I hope it has a little more to add to it."

Littlefield stressed she understands the concept of upgrading and modernizing the space. "They wanted to make it more usable ... They wanted to be able to have more arts and musical activities and school programs."

Then she gave a sigh.

"They had that whole area that was grassy and beautiful ... it's not there yet," she said.

Shade gone?

"I'm disappointed in a lack of shade," Littlefield continued. "Maybe they can put in more shade structures. We were there yesterday. There was no shade other than a couple tables with umbrellas.

"One of the things they wanted was something that can be used 12 months a year. If they really want to do that, they better do something else."

Indeed, according to a 2012 East Valley Tribune "Local Lily" story on the mall, "It seems just a few degrees cooler laying on the cool grass on a blanket under a canopy of trees."

On the city's website, plans show illustrations with lush trees throwing shade over the mall.

The reality, as Littlefield noted, is hardly as shady.

What happened to the old trees?

"Some stayed in place, some were relocated and used on site, a few were moved to another city park, and a few were deemed unhealthy and removed," Walsh said.

Asked about the difference between the plan's illustrations and reality, the city spokeswoman said, "The trees with the green bark are palo verde trees. It will take some time for the trees in the photos to get to the size of the ones in the rendering."

And the fowl?

Asked if the ducks and swans scattered during construction, Walsh said, "Basically yes. They come and go on their own and frequently move between all the bodies of water in the area."

That won't satisfy one elected official. After pondering the big renovation project, Littlefield wondered how it happened, repeating herself and echoing others:

"I miss my ducks."

For more information, visit scottsdaleaz.gov/construction/project-list.