Scottsdale Civic Center’s planning strategy began with listening—an intensive outreach process to understand how the place is used, loved, and maintained—then translated those insights into a framework that preserves the Civic Center’s familiar character while upgrading performance. The plan establishes a clear hierarchy of lawns, plazas, and promenades that scale from everyday use to major festivals, with “event-ready” venues organized along an intuitive pedestrian spine. Shade, access, and logistics are treated as first-order design drivers to shorten setup times, reduce operating costs, and improve safety.

Edges are clarified to strengthen connections to Scottsdale Arts, City Hall, the Library, and Old Town while maintaining beloved garden areas and view corridors. Programs are layered so daily civic life (lunchtime strolls, children’s play, quiet respite) can coexist with high-capacity events without costly reconfiguration. A pragmatic phasing approach keeps the campus active during implementation: early phases focus on utility upgrades, shade canopy, drainage, and wayfinding; subsequent phases deliver venue enhancements, lighting, and AV integration. The result is a resilient, flexible public realm that honors the Civic Center’s identity and equips the City to host arts, cultural events, and civic functions at a higher level of service for decades to come.