Michael Fernandez petitions Scottsdale Council to halt historic district parking garage plans

Concerns over a proposed three-story parking garage in Scottsdale's historic district dominated the City Council meeting on May 20, 2025. Local business owner Michael Fernandez passionately addressed the council, urging them to reconsider the project, which he claims threatens the charm of Old Town and the historic Adobe Mission.

Fernandez, who has been active in Scottsdale politics for over three decades, presented a petition against the garage, highlighting its potential negative impact on local businesses and community heritage. He emphasized that the city had conducted no public outreach regarding the plan in the past five years, raising alarms about transparency and community involvement.

"The garage will ruin the appeal of historic Old Town and displace the farmers market," Fernandez stated, underscoring the emotional connection many residents have with the Adobe Mission, built by early Hispanic families in the 1900s. He criticized the council for ignoring its own design guidelines and the historic overlay that protects the area.

The meeting also featured discussions on e-cigarettes, with Councilman Graham questioning the addictive nature of these products compared to traditional cigarettes. However, the primary focus remained on the parking garage proposal, with Fernandez calling for a future meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns.

As the council weighs the implications of the parking garage, community members are left wondering if their voices will be heard in the decision-making process that could reshape their historic district.