Loved and loathed Civic Center finally takes off

Sep. 27—Praised by some, bashed by others, a $33 million construction project in the heart of Scottsdale is complete.

Finally.

A two-month showcase for the renovated mall has been dubbed "Fall in Love with Scottsdale Civic Center."

"We are absolutely thrilled to officially relaunch Scottsdale Civic Center," said Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega.

He said he is most excited about residents and visitors enjoying three new outdoor stages, kid-friendly play areas, botanical exhibits and "140 new shade trees and water conservation turf areas."

According to a city press release, improvements include a new permanent stage at the East Bowl with a shade structure and a "360-degree performance structure."

A kids' play area between Scottsdale City Hall and Civic Center Library features a splash pad and fog feature, with shaded picnic areas.

Even before the grand opening, the new Civic Center park is being showered with accolades.

The Arizona Park and Recreation Association and Engineering News-Record Southwest recognized the renovation with an "Outstanding Facility" award, honoring the Scottsdale Civic Center as the state's best newly constructed facility of 2023 for populations of more than 100,000.

The publication ENR Southwest also announced Scottsdale Civic Center as the best Landscape/Urban Development" project in the region, which includes Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Even so, not everyone is throwing praise at the plaza.

Brickbats aplenty

A Nextdoor post on the Civic Center Plaza opening drew a half-dozen comments — all slamming the new design.

"Beautiful the way it was," grumbled Donna Hawkins. "Took away the flower gardens and lots of cooling trees and grassy areas.

"Sad to see after decades of enjoying the often renovated but never so drastically changed civic center."

"Area needs more shade," Carol McNulty added. "Too hot looking to be inviting."

Raina Sainz also was not impressed: "Feels cold and not inviting. Maybe the tourists will like it, maybe."

Larry Morgan's comment was a near-dirge:

"I was especially appalled by the placement of the large tacky splash pad! No more lovely views out the library windows. Where is the artistic sensibility that used to be first and foremost in this city?"

Visiting another city's park featuring sculptures and fountains, "I mourned for the Scottsdale Civic Mall.

"Once a unique city escape it now feels generic, pedestrian and impractical."

Delays

According to the city's plea to citizens to vote for the project, the lagoon was leaking, other infrastructures were in disrepair and the space was not conducive to events.

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 in spring 2022 it was expected to be "100% done" by Jan. 1, delays pushed the project completion ... first to May ... then to the fall.

While the project that began in fall 2021 took nearly two years, a large chunk of the renovation was complete months ago. The Sun and Sounds Sunday music series and other events have been taking place at the partially-opened plaza since mid-January.

Some people were startled — and furious — to find the lagoon is 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.

City Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield, for one, cried "fowl" on the lack of ducks and swans a few months ago.

How does she feel now that the project is complete?

"It was done nicely," she said, before hesitating.

"I was a little disappointed in the overall look and feel of it. I thought it would be more open space."

Though she allows it to be a sleek design, she feels like the renovation took away too much water.

"Some people are a little disappointed there are so many stages," Littlefield said. "It kind of seems like it's more commercial than before."

And though she believes they relocated to other parks around the city, she still misses her feathered friends:

"I want my ducks," Littlefield said, adding a sad chuckle.

Councilwoman Betty Janik allowed, "Of course it's over budget — but everything's over budget because of inflation. And it is late."

Even so, Janik called the new mall money well spent.

"I think it's a very, very nice addition to the city," she said.

The original design, Janik recalled, "was pretty much open space — you could play a game of catch or whatever. It was lovely open space."

But, she added, it was high time for change.

"We felt the Civic Center was a little isolated from downtown. Now, I feel it's a little more welcoming and open.

"That's very good for downtown."

A series of events at the new Civic Center begins Tuesday, Oct. 3, with a concert by Grammy-winning alt-country band Wilco.

Tickets start at $65. Information: scottsdaleperformingarts.org/events.