(Lyn's note: Here's the link to this week's Pictures of the Week. http://carefreetruth.com/Carefree_Truth/Photos_6-3-13.html  The first 2 photos by Bill Rintelmann are of their poodle Cassie.  In the first one, she is 12 weeks old and in the second, she is 12 months old.  Very cute!

 

 

 

 

Please publish Mr. Pollack's letter.

David Schwan

Mayor, Town of Carefree

480 488-3686

 

Economic and Real Estate Consulting

 

May 16, 2013

 

David Schwan Mayor of Carefree Town of Carefree 8 Sundial Circle

 

P.O. Box 740 Carefree, Arizona 85377

 

Dear Mayor,

 

         It was a pleasure meeting with Gary Neiss and you earlier in the week to discuss your plans for improving the attractiveness of Carefree from an economic viability standpoint. We understand that you are considering some improvements to your downtown area to attract visitors to your shops and restaurants. It is very difficult, if not impossible to determine a return on investment for an individual project, such as the shade structure or splash pad. These improvements are just two elements of an overall plan to increase the vitality of the Town for tourism and economic development. The overall goal should be to create a critical mass sufficient to make Carefree a “must visit” for not only tourists, but for people in the Greater Phoenix area, particularly in the Northeast and East Valleys. This can only be done by taking small incremental steps, such as undertaking small improvements or investments each year over a period of years.

 

         As we discussed, it is a chicken or egg proposition. Small steps can be designed to bring in more visitors. More visitors result in more small businesses attempting to meet the needs of those people. More shops will enhance the experience of those visiting Carefree that in turn will bring in more people, that in turn will bring in more shops.

 

         The items that we discussed are quite important since Carefree is primarily an outdoor experience. Items such as the shade structure will enhance the experience in the amphitheater and is likely to make people more likely to revisit. The playground equipment and a splash pad will open up a new market as people with children are more likely to visit and spend money in your community.

 

         The other economic development initiatives that we talked about include the ease of dealing with the Town in the zoning and permitting process, the need for more retail space as the market improves, and the importance of letting potential shop and restaurant owners know that Carefree is “open for business”. Business owners must know that you will do what is necessary to make the Town as desirable as possible for those who want to spend a pleasant day out and about.

 

          While you cannot force new businesses to establish themselves in the Town, you can make it attractive for them. In order to do this, you need a themed area at your core. You have a good foundation today, but need more to be successful. You need as much shade as possible. You need to market not only to hotel concierges, but to residents and visitors throughout the Valley, especially for weekend activities. The wine festivals and art shows are an important element of introducing Carefree to tourists and local residents alike.

 

         In terms of new development, you should primarily be interested in retail uses since that is what will drive the revenue for your community. The 100,000 square feet of retail that we discussed briefly would be a huge boom to the community, but it will need to be market driven. As the economy improves and the incremental steps that we talked about

bear fruit, more people will visit and more shops will be likely to open. The concept of making Carefree a restaurant destination makes sense given the demographics of the Northeast part of the valley.

 

         While I cannot tell you the specific return on investment for a shade structure or playground, I can tell you that without taking such incremental steps, you are not likely to achieve your ultimate goal of making downtown Carefree a tourist destination. Given where the economy is now, the combination of these incremental steps and a good

marketing program should bear substantial fruit over the rest of this business cycle. It is my expectation that your situation eight to ten years from now will be substantially improved from where it is today.

 

 

Elliott Pollack

 

Elliott D. Pollack & company 7505 East 6th Avenue, Suite 100 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251  PH 480.423.9200  FAX 480.423.5942  info@edpco.com  www.arizonaeconomy.com

 

 

 

What is more lovely in the summer than splashing water?  It is good for the soul.   I thought about the splash thing and remembered when I was 4 or 5, and we went to Humboldt Park where they had a big circle with the water sprays like this.  It’s one of my happiest memories that has lingered. 

 Sara

 

 

Can't believe some of the angry comments in response to this idea!   I love the idea as I'm guessing it would be designed to be small scale and tasteful just as the kids playground has been. Splash parks are happy places.  We have brought my son and niece to the one at Desert Ridge and it was packed.  I also didn't notice many families with lunch boxes; most did eat at the surrounding restaurants as we did! 

 

And I think the renderings are beautiful.  If this is to be presented again I would say focus on the renderings because they are SO MUCH prettier than the Fountain Hills splash pad...the design, the colors, everything.  I really see it "blending in" to the surrounding landscape.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it goes through. 

Tracy O'Shaughnessy

(Lyn's note: Yes, the renderings presented accurately portray the subdued color scheme appropriate to Carefree.)

 

 

 

 

Great job...and thanks for standing up for the Festival donations...we need to protect our funds and more importantly the integrity of the fund raising process.  Merchants DO get many requests and although all are equally valid..there is only a finite amount to go around.

Thanks Lyn.

Jo Gemmill

 

 

So, what's the estimated cost of the Memorial?  I think the concept is good but KIS.

If every project that the Town does in the future is going to be funded by the Citizens , that's going to get old very quickly.

Joe Devito

(Lyn's note: Unlike Melissa Price's presentations for the splash pad and the improvements to the amphitheater, Mike Farrar's did not include an estimated cost for the Veterans Memorial or renderings of a potential design.  He only provided the amounts he felt he could raise with the brick sales.  Lacking a potential design, it is impossible to project a final cost.  He only showed photos of Memorials copied from the websites of other towns.)  

 

 

Might have them check into the Veterans War Museum in New Orleans. Bricks were for Veterans only with proof (dd214). I did my father and the brick survived the Katrina flood. To embellish names other than validated veterans would disgrace the memorial and make it meaningless and probably bad PR for Carefree as the story would surely get out to the media. 

Bob Brenner

(Lyn's note: I believe that's why Glenn brought it up re: the fire fighters' Memorials with which he was involved.  Those only had deceased fire fighters engraved on the bricks.) 

 

 

 

Lyn - (sent to Mayor, council members and Gary Neiss):

 

Mr. Mayor and Council Members:

 

Regarding the possible “investment” in a splash-pad recreation area for the Town, and provided sufficient funds can be acquired from grants and donations; perhaps the following questions can be considered and discussed by the Council:

 

Question #1:  The Mayor has stated a number of times that a splash-pad style recreation would be constructed only if sufficient funds are obtained through grants and/or donations.  The (former) Vice-Mayor then stated in her presentation at a Carefree capital projects workshop on May 21, 2013 that she expected that the Town would want to invest in itself, with the inference being that the possible splash-pad (high-end estimated) investment of $322,000 would be a shared cost between Carefree and the grants/donations from other sources.  I am not clear as to the direction the Town will go to in obtaining funding for this project.  Can it be made clear as to whether the Town will, or will not, absorb a portion of the equipment purchase, installation and startup costs, and if so, what percentage of those costs will come from Town revenue?  

 

Question #2:  During her workshop presentation advocating the installation of a splash-pad recreation area, the Vice Mayor provided many demographic statistics related to communities and areas adjacent to Carefree.  None of those demographics for communities such as Desert Mountain, Mirabell, etc. provided data that would support her inference that folks from those areas would bring their children to Carefree for the purpose of using the splash-pad and then proceed to frequent the storefront shops and restaurants in the Town.  In fact, it might be suggested that these upscale communities would not be inclined to avail themselves of the water recreation activities offered by a splash-pad simply because they already possess adequate recreational water activities for their children.  Is there any data that might suggest that residents of these more affluent communities would be inclined to bring their children to the Carefree Town center because of the attraction of a splash-pad area?

 

Also, the demographic data obtained from the Real Estate Multiple Listing Service indicates a relatively young median age in the affluent communities detailed (as low as 32-years-old).  Is there data that demonstrates the range of ages for children in these communities that would possibly enjoy splash-pad amenities, say an age range of 0 to 10 or 11?  Isn't that piece of datum the relevant demographic?

 

Question #3:  Also, within her workshop splash-pad presentation, the Vice Mayor provided many anecdotal opinions from residents and/or representatives of other towns and/or shopping areas in relatively close proximity to Carefree where these water recreation areas are installed and working.  I would remind the Council that anecdotes are not data.  Does there exist any empirical data from these other splash-pad-installed venues that support many of the contentions that the water feature actually functions to improve the revenue for the shops and restaurants that allegedly benefit from the splash-pad?  If the data exists, shouldn’t it be obtained and shared with the Council?

 

Question #4:  If the assumption is made that a splash-pad would also attract parents who are from less affluent communities and who would bring their children to enjoy the water recreation, would these parents bring an affordability status that would encourage shopping at Carefree storefronts and/or dining at Carefree restaurants?

 

Question #5:  Would parents bringing their children to frolic in the splash-pad area then be inclined to take their soaking wet kids into the shops and restaurants?  And won't the shops and restaurants, after a very short period of experience, become rather annoyed at the clean-up involved after their establishments have to be mopped, wiped-down and dried as a result of the water dripping from the water-logged clothes of the children?  Or, does the splash-pad recreation area include construction of showers and changing room facilities?

 

Question #6:  What will be the recurring, incremental, liability insurance expense for the town to ensure it is protected from the high cost of litigation?

 

Question #7:  What will be the recurring, incremental water utility expense for operation of the splash-pad?  Or will portions of the water be recovered as, for example, grey-water and reused elsewhere?  If so, what percentage is recovered and/or what percentage is lost to evaporation and drainage?  Is the grey-water recovery equipment cost part of the potential $322,000 investment?

 

Question #8:  Does the investment expense of the splash-pad recreation feature include costs for controlling the bacteria that has frequently been a bane and costly burden for existing, similar recreational activities?  I believe Desert Ridge had to close for a period of time until they could implement a resolution to this very issue. 

 

Question #9:  What will be the recurring, incremental expense of maintenance and repairs to keep the splash-pad in good working order?  What amounts of money will be budgeted each year for operation of the splash-pad and ancillary expenses?  Who will perform the maintenance and repairs?  Is there a recurring cost to have a repair service kept on retainer?  Or, will an incremental employee need to be hired to perform the routine maintenance and to implement the repairs when necessary?

 

Question #10:  Will the splash-pad operate only on a seasonal basis?  If so, what months will it be idle?  What is the experience of other splash-pad-style operations in terms of the deterioration and repairs of the equipment resulting from disuse for protracted periods?  What will be the hours of operation for the splash-pad?

 

Question #11:  What types of routine, or even continuous, supervision will be required during periods when the splash-pad is open?  If unattended, how will possible dangerous horse-play or improper use of, or activities where unintentional damage to, the equipment be monitored?  If the water feature recreation area is constructed as to not be proximal to a business or restaurant where rapid assistance could be obtained, will there be emergency communication devices installed?

 

Question #12:  It occurs to me that many of the venues that have installed splash-pad recreation area have them located so as to be the center, or very close to the center, of activities, be they storefronts or restaurants or a combination thereof.  Would Carefree’s splash-pad be placed in a business/restaurant high-traffic area?  If that isn’t practicable, is there any concern that the area dedicated for the splash-pad area would interfere with future festival or art/crafts-fair-type activities?

 

The foregoing questions are some of my thoughts on the matter and are offered as suggestions for discussion by the Mayor, the newly elected Vice-Mayor and the other five Town Council members.  If they are not already a part of the discussion, then I would hope that the Council might find them to be good talking points.  Thank you for your attention.

 

Fred Groszkruger

 

cc: Mr. Gary Neiss

 

(Lyn's note: I can answer most of question #1.  At the May workshop and at the May Council meeting, Mayor Schwan stated several times that no Town money will be spent this fiscal year on these proposed projects.  Melissa Price will be seeking corporate and individual donors, and Gary Neiss will be applying for Indian Grants to be used towards them.  It is possible in the fiscal years following this that some Town money may be used to fund them, if they decide to proceed in that direction.  I don't know what percentage, if any, of Town funds will be added to the donations received to pay for any projects, since the amount of donations received is as yet an unknown factor.

 

#6: I too asked it.  The Town's insurance premiums would not rise due to the addition of a splash pad. 

 

#7: They do utilize a gray water recovery system. 

 

#8: I also expressed that concern when a splash pad was first under consideration.  While the early splash pads had a serious issue with bacteria, and a few were shut down until it was resolved, the current splash pad technology includes extensive sterilization features, and the problem has been mitigated.  This is one of the reasons it is so expensive to build, but is certainly a vital component.

 

#9: Herbert and I looked at a couple of splash pads.  The first was at Fountain Hills and the second was off of Thompson Peak.  The one at Thompson Peak, was temporarily closed due to a needed repair.  They told us that normally their own maintenance people performed repairs promptly, but this particular problem was beyond their scope and required a regular repair person, who was scheduled to be there the following day.  We were there on Sunday, and they weren't going to pay for an emergency repair call to fix it.  I suspect the same would hold true for Carefree, if a splash pad is installed.

 

#11: At Fountain Hills, an adult or adults supervised their own kids.  FH didn't provide a supervisor that we could see.  Since there is not standing water, drowning is not an issue, so a lifeguard type supervisor is not required.  The Carefree fire station provides proximal emergency medical services 24/7/365, and there is also a medical clinic in the Basha's center.

 

#12: If installed, a splash pad would be placed where the Gila Monster slide is now located, near the fountain.  The Gila Monster would be moved where the other playground equipment is located. It would not interfere with Festival tents.) 

 

 

 

What happened to Sabas? That was a great place and I am sorry to see it go.

Laurie P.

 

 

 

We are heartbroken that we are losing one of our favorite eateries!

We used to make the trek to Tatum and Bell for a Saba's fix, and were over the moon when you came to us.  We know times are tough, and we wish you nothing but the VERY best!  We can't let you go without telling you how much we LOVED your food and kind service, irreplaceable!!!!  If we were in town we'd stop by and place a massive order, trying to freeze our favorites for months to come!  *sigh* You will be missed!  If you go into the catering business we want to know!  You made the pizzas for our son's 9th birthday, and everyone RAVED!

Best of fortune to you both, we truly wish for you what you've brought to us these past nummy years!

Jakki and Lee (friends of Lyn, but we knew Saba's first!). :)

(Lyn's note: We too loved Saba's, and Aysun and Oscar, and are weeping to see it go.  Oscar is a senior flight attendant with U.S. Air, which recently merged with American Airlines.  He will now be based out of Philadelphia, so they are moving to the east coast.  The airline job provides the benefits such as health care, so it takes primacy for their family.  A new restaurant will be going into the space in the fall, once the new tenant moves his equipment and furniture in, and gets his various licenses.  But Saba's will be sorely missed.)

 

 

 

Could you please run this again in the Carefree Truth.  Thank you so much.

 

Hi Lyn, Jan Misseri here.  Just would like to put a little something in the great "Carefree Truth".  I am searching for a position as an administrative assistant/customer service provider as well as a pet sitter. 

 

Will match prices you are paying now.  I've worked in all of these areas for the past sixteen years and can provide references.  I live in Carefree so I am readily available to all in the area.  Please feel free to contact me either by email - casbin@aol.com or by phone - 480-488-5182.

 

Thank you so much,

 

Jan

 

 

 

 

Sunday, June 9th at 6pm

     

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