The Public Deserves A Vote On The Desert Discovery Center.
Over the years, the City of Scottsdale has pursued the concept of a Desert Discovery Center (DDC) to be located at the sanctuary of McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The concepts have ranged from a modest facility of about 20,000 square feet to those much larger.
Now, there is great concern that the DDC proposal may indeed call for a facility of 70,000 square feet or more. I oppose a project of that size.
But this discussion has sparked the need for a key reform: an amendment to the Scottsdale City Charter which ensures that ANY project in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (excluding land acquisition for the reserve) costing more than $5 million dollars or $1 more than the cost of our most expensive trailhead must be approved by the voters of Scottsdale. Only in this way can we be assured now, and forever, that the public gets a say on what happens in our desert sanctuary. The people should always have the final say on this vital matter, not just politicians that come and go.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a local treasure, more than 30 thousand acres of pristine desert.
Your support is needed to make sure the future of "Scottsdale's Grand Canyon" is in the hands of Scottsdale voters rather than the shifting whims of politicians. Please sign our petition to encourage a charter amendment for this public vote so it’s enshrined in our city laws. Forever.
