Solange Whitehead, Scottsdale City Council member
Photo submitted by Solange Whitehead
By Solange Whitehead | Scottsdale City Council member
OPINION – The Axon debate is over. A council majority delivered for the residents: far fewer apartments and less traffic while keeping Axon Enterprise in Scottsdale.
The debate was noisy, making it hard for residents to understand that the recent vote only had two choices: approve a locally-negotiated Axon campus with 600 apartments, 600 condominiums and millions in community investments, or cede local control to the state, allowing the construction of almost 1,900 apartment and no resident-requested investments.
Clear heads and fiscal responsibility prevailed with an affirmative vote. I proudly voted “yes” alongside Mayor Lisa Borowsky, Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman and Councilwoman Maryann McAllen.
Inclusive decision-making is rarely smooth, but it consistently produces the best results — and this recent vote is proof. Axon demonstrated a commitment to Scottsdale, and resident engagement empowered the council to substantially reduce the residential unit count and right-size the project.
Now an empty, freeway-adjacent lot will be transformed into the home-grown Axon Enterprise headquarters. Scottsdale will become the global epicenter for law enforcement professionals to attend conferences, training and engage in cutting-edge research and development – work that makes our world safer.
Retaining Axon, the world’s leader in public safety technology, is good for all — it protects high-quality jobs, strengthens our local and state economy and supports safe communities for residents and police officers alike.
A footnote on the Citizen’s Axon Referendum: I have a long history supporting resident referenda and I voted to put the Axon referendum on the ballot. The election was repeatedly delayed by the council majority. As a result, the new state law made the Axon referendum moot. Axon could still build nearly 1,900 apartments, regardless of the election outcome. The recent council vote was the single path to deliver results for our residents.
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