Old Town parking garage plan draws merchants and farmers market concern; city staff review 2019 bond language

Scottsdale City Council on March 18 received a staff history of the 2019 bond project for Old Town parking and heard multiple merchants, market operators and vendors urge the city to preserve the Old Town Farmers Market and reconsider a proposed multi‑story garage at the Corral (First Street/Brown Avenue).

Public works and project staff (senior public works director Allison Timke presented) reviewed the bond ballot language, project fact sheets and the 2015 Walker parking study that informed earlier planning. The 2019 bond project listed public parking facilities and improvements in Old Town with locations “to be determined.” Staff said the First & Brown lot emerged as the most feasible site after analyzing a set of alternatives; the project budget shown in the city capital plan was $20.9 million for that bond project. Timke told council that earlier candidate sites (including one adjacent to Stagebrush Theatre and a small parcel on First Avenue) were found infeasible or already committed to other uses.

Dozens of merchants and Old Town stakeholders spoke in public comment. The Old Town Farmers Market’s site manager, Michael Reed, and market coordinator Dee Logan said the market — a long‑running Saturday draw with many local vendors — depends on the Corral location’s open‑air layout and adjacent pedestrian access. Vendor Jennifer Rizzo, who said she grew her business from the market into a statewide brand, said the market brings repeat customers and that many merchants rely on market traffic. Several merchants and historic‑district advocates asked the council to reconsider the project site and timing given construction impacts to businesses that have recovered after the pandemic.

City Manager Greg Caton told attendees the city had met with market officials and committed to keep the market at the current corral site through June 2026 while staff researches alternative locations and the design process continues. Caton said staff will pursue a short list of potential temporary and permanent sites and will continue outreach to merchants and the market operator during design. Several council members asked for additional information on prior property sales (including proceeds from the Museum of the West site sale that residents asked could be applied to parking) and requested budget and parcel history from the treasurer and public works staff.

Ending Council members thanked speakers and asked staff to provide updated outreach and site‑analysis information during the design phase. Several council members also suggested modest options to make existing garages and lots easier for visitors to find — such as signage or dynamic parking information — while the long‑term project proceeds.