Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky wants to know if it’s time to create a task force to protect Old Town’s interests at city hall.
Borowsky has called a special meeting of the city council for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, to discuss the issue.
“The city council is considering the formation of a Downtown Task Force to evaluate and refine the Downtown Character Area Plan and current marketing efforts,” Borowsky wrote in an undated letter addressed to the Old Town business community. “If you are passionate about shaping the future of downtown Scottsdale, I encourage you to attend the summit, and email the city council if you have a desire to serve on the task force.”
She has invited three speakers to give presentations at the meeting, including:
• Joan Fudala, Scottsdale historian and author, on the history of Old Town Scottsdale;
• Mike Lee, of MLD Worldwide, on visioning how to preserve and enhance Old Town’s tourism; and
• Chris Mielke, owner of Sonipark LLC, on innovative parking solutions.
Council will then discuss the creation of a 15-person task force made up of property owners, hoteliers and tourism professionals from key districts such as Historic Old Town, Fifth Avenue, the Entertainment District and the Arts District.
“This summit is about keeping Old Town special,” Borowsky said in press release disseminated Dec. 31. “We want to ensure Old Town remains a premier destination for visitors while supporting the businesses and cultural assets that make our city unique.”
The meeting may have mixed results though. City councilman Barry Graham said he is skeptical of the issue, while councilwoman Maryann McAllen is more receptive to the idea.
“I think everyone is concerned because (the council) just voted down the contract with the James Agency, which was supposed to publicize Old Town … I think that’s where this came from,” McAllen said.
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J. Graber
News Editor | Scottsdale
Meet J.
Graber joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in February 2023, starting his career as a staff writer covering the City of Scottsdale and was named news editor of the Scottsdale Independent in 2024.
Community: He serves on the alter guild as well as being an usher at St. Mathews Episcopal Church in Chandler.
Education: He earned his BA in creative writing with a minor in journalism from the University of Arizona. He then earned an MS in Mass Communications from the University of Oregon.
Random Fact: He enjoys reading novels by Russian authors.
Hobbies: Playing classical guitar, reading, fishing, going to the gym, watching sports and spending time with his family.