Entrance to Greasewood from Alma School Road.
Courtesy of Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations
(May 27, 2014 – SCOTTSDALE, Ariz) Thanks to a conscientious Scottsdale-based company and the Cavalliere family that owns Greasewood Flat, a plan in the making for months has now been filed with the City of Scottsdale to make a new home for the venerable watering hole a reality.
Due to the passing of family patriarch “Doc” Cavalliere several years ago heirs faced onerous federal estate taxes for the increasingly valuable land, money family members did not have. It was a situation that would have shuttered the popular Scottsdale spot for locals and tourists.
But an agreement between the family and Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison Homes, which bought the property so the tax obligations could be paid, calls for the existing experience to remain as is for at least one year and likely more until Greasewood is relocated to a more remote location just off 128th Street, several miles south of Dynamite. The property is owned by the Cavalliere family and sits near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
“As I have said many times when we started Greasewood Flat, 
we were out here by ourselves. But development has encroached on our experience causing us to lose some of the truly Western experience. That can’t happen at our other property which lies next to land that will be preserved forever thanks to the generosity of Scottsdale taxpayers,” George Cavalliere said.
The application to redevelop the current 42-acre Greasewood Flat site, which has been well received by area home and property owners, was filed Friday, May 23rd. The project will be built by Taylor Morrison Homes. Company officials have been working closely with family members and will include touches from Greasewood Flat, even naming the project Cavalliere Flats. Applications were also filed Friday by Taylor Morrison on behalf of the family for the bar and restaurant’s new location, balance of its 120-acre property there, as well as for adjoining land owners working with the family and Taylor Morrison Homes to master plan the area with new residential development in accordance with Scottsdale’s General Plan.
Since announcing intentions to relocate in February project backers have been working closely with many interested parties, and made several changes to early plans. They include abandoning plans to expand 128th Street to the property, beyond what currently exists. This was suggested by McDowell Sonoran Preserve enthusiasts. As for overall enthusiasm for the plan it appears to be high among Greasewood Flat guests as over 4,000 people have signed a petition in support of it.
“Just as modest, appropriate and contained commercial enhances a visit to Grand Canyon National Park or the Pacific Ocean, we think Greasewood Flat in this location and smartly buffered next to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve will be a terrific stop for hikers and equestrians. When we previously announced the location we appreciated the support of Scottsdale’s top tourism officials who felt likewise. We really want to stay in Scottsdale and keep offering something you just can’t find anymore. Doing so on property we already own without any debt makes the transition, financial and otherwise, a lot easier,” Cavalliere said.
Voter Survey Results
Knowing the concern of some about a “commercial” use on the border of the Preserve, notwithstanding numerous resort and a myriad number of commercial residential uses along the border too, project backers commissioned a poll in April among likely Scottsdale voters to gauge attitudes. The survey, conducted by Valley-based Summit Group, asked the following questions with the following results:
*Recently the owners of Greasewood Flat, a well-known bar and restaurant in northern Scottsdale, announced that they might have to close their place if they weren’t able to sell their land and pay federal estate taxes after a member of their family died. However, a new plan has emerged whereby they are able to sell their existing 42-acre site for future homes and simultaneously relocate Greasewood Flat to part of a property the family owns along 128th Street, adjacent to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Other parts of their land would be developed in conformance with Scottsdale’s General Plan. In general would you say this is a GOOD PLAN for Scottsdale, a BAD ONE, or do you not have an opinion? Results: GOOD PLAN 49%, BAD PLAN 22%, NO OPINION 28%
*Now tell me which of these statements you agree with more: 1) *We should never allow commercial activity such as Greasewood Flat next to the Preserve because it could harm wildlife and cause too much noise and light pollution . . . OR 2) *There are restaurants and hotels next to and even in national parks such as Grand Canyon as well as commercial activity along the Pacific Ocean. Scottsdale taxpayers have spent nearly $1 billion to create the preserve. An old western bar like Greasewood Flat is an appropriate use at this location, especially since it is supported by tourism leaders and would be located on private property owned by the family that created Greasewood Flat. Results: NO COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY 20%, APPROPRIATE USE AT LOCATION 64%, DON’T KNOW 10%
*Finally, would you be MORE LIKELY or LESS LIKELY to support a Scottsdale City Councilperson that voted to help Greasewood Flat survive with its new plan? Results: MORE LIKELY 48%, DON’T KNOW 32%
Cavalliere also said some have suggested WestWorld as a potential location for a reincarnated Greasewood Flat, and that is something the family would entertain. Project representatives have already met with top Scottsdale officials about the possibilities, although there would be several challenges to locating there due to the property’s unique organization.
Editorial Note. This press release is being published for informational purposes. The Greater Pinnacle Peak Association Board of Directors has not yet taken a position on the projects as The Peak goes to press.
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