Friends of the Scenic Drive Helps Maintain and Enhance Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive.
Courtesy of Friends of the Scenic Drive/GPPA
December 19, 2014
You might have noticed that the project to underground utility poles and lines along the northern part of Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, has been completed. Recently, Tim Conner, Manager – Office of Environmental Initiatives for the City of Scottsdale, sent Friends an update about the progress of landscape improvements.
According to Tim’s email, the city has awarded a contract to begin the installation of the linear revegetation along the Scottsdale Road Scenic Corridor, i.e. Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, from Jomax Road to Carefree
- Highway. In general, the schedule is as follows:
- Planting of trees will take place in January 2015
- Planting of container plants will take place during February 2015
Hydro-seeding will take place in March 2015
The city is still awaiting submittals from the consultants for the intersection landscape and enhancements. The intent is to utilize salvaged trees at the intersections, as the available supplies will allow, to provide a more enhanced feeling. When the city recieves the submittals, will schedule a meeting with Friends to review the intersections with you.
The city ise still in conversations with APS about whether or not they will allow the city to screen their utility switching cabinets. At first, the city had received information that APS was not going to allow us to screen the cabinets. The city is now with the APS government liaison and their field staff are re-evaluating that position. However, the city does not expect to hear anything from APS until January.
Trail work has taken a back seat due to an internal staffing issue within the city and some property owners being unwilling to participate with regards to gaining the real estate rights in some areas. The city has established the preferred trail alignment, and will resume progress on the trail later in 2015. The city’s goal was to not allow the trail issues to interfere with this latest attempt to get the landscaping installation underway.
One thing that residents and visitors will notice as the landscape work progresses is the installation of what the city calls “gold rope.” This is a yellow roping barrier that will be installed along areas where the landscape enhancements are taking place. The intent is to protect the plants and landscaping during the establishment phase from errant cars and trucks. According to the city, the contractor will remove the rope as the plants become hardier and more established.
Scottsdale is also contracting with the landscape contractor for hand watering, which involves the use of a water truck, of the trees and plants. The city has agreed to the first year of this process and have options for a second and third year in the contract.
I hope this information is useful.
For additional information, contact Tim Conner, AIA, Manager – Office of Environmental Initiatives, City of Scottsdale, at (480) 312-7833 or tconner@scottsdaleaz.gov
Related Articles
The Scottsdale Road Enhancement Project: A Brief History
Scenic Drive: The Future (Information about Bond 2000 enhancements)
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