Carefree Truth

Issue #327, June 13, 2014

 

 

 

The Arizona Technical Advisory Panel (AZTAP) session, held in Carefree by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), was comprised of successful leaders and entrepreneurs within the commercial real estate industry.  Gary Neiss said that one of their strategic recommendations was to engage the stakeholders to create a clear vision and plan for the downtown. 

 

 

 

A panel was formed consisting of Council members Melissa Price, John Crane, and Mike Farrar, along with landlord Rod de Szendeffy, and gallery owner Holly Bergman.  Subsequently, Town staff created and distributed a Request for Proposal (RFP) to economic development consultants to develop a revitalization master plan.  After evaluating the responses to this RFP and interviewing several candidates, the panel unanimously endorsed Michael Baker Jr., Inc.  The company is a multi-discipline team providing a complement of professional services including economic development, organizational promotion, urban planning, code analysis, and traffic engineering.  Baker, Inc. has implemented revitalization projects both nationwide and in Arizona.

 

 

 

 

Kevin Kugler, the project manager, was present along with his colleague Mike Sabatini.  Mr. Sabatini is the project manager for the ongoing Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Carefree-Cave Creek transportation framework study.  Mr. Kugler has both public and private sector experience, and is a native of Arizona. 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Marty Saltzman asked if they were having a dialogue with Owens Harkey, the firm handling the marketing for Carefree.  Mr. Neiss replied yes, that it is all part of the process.

 

 

 

 

Councilman Crane stated that Baker, Inc. is managing the MAG transportation study, and has strong knowledge of the Carefree and Cave Creek area.  He added that they have done a lot of economic development work for small communities like Carefree, and said the panel felt Baker, Inc. was by far the best candidate.  Vice Mayor Les Peterson said that Mr. Crane had answered his questions about how the choice was made to recommend Baker, Inc.  Councilwoman Price, who chaired the panel, felt that their direct experience in the Desert Foothills community was an invaluable asset.  Mr. Kugler agreed that they have "a jump start on the learning curve".  The Council unanimously voted to hire Michael Baker, Inc.    

 

http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/97801692/2ed3a67409

 

 

Lyn Hitchon