Scottsdale Road

Desert Foothills Scenic Drive

Improvement Ideas Working List

 Last updated August 18, 2006 

Statement of Intent: 

Intention of this document is to provide a working dialogue list of improvement ideas that could be implemented to enhance the character of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive portions of Scottsdale Road.  The list will be compiled using suggestions from both City Staff and citizen input from representatives of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association / Friends of the Scenic Drive.  

Les Conklin has offered to act as the representative for the above noted citizen group.  Ideas provided by citizens may be gathered through various outreach methods and then added to the list by staff or Mr. Conklin or his representatives.  This team approach is planned to establish a prioritized approach to achieving implementation of improvements that may be relatively easily achieved either by staff actions, volunteer work, and or a combined effort from both. 

It is anticipated that several levels of improvement ideas will be gathered.  Some ideas may be fairly simple to implement, while others will require more study and possibly a larger comprehensive approach.  For that reason this list will eventually be divided into categories to assure that all ideas will be recorded, recognizing that some ideas may require additional discussion and possibly a different process for implementation. 

As the list is refined, and priorities are agreed to, Staff and Mr. Conklin will set out to develop work programs for the highest most achievable priority enhancement ideas for implementation.    

Working Ideas List: 

  1. Enhanced street name signs – Special color & logo
    • Major intersections- opportunity of LED illuminated
    • Other streets?  Scenic Drive Only or larger district?
       
  2. Better use of landscaping for screening of above grade utilities
     
  3. Additional painting of above grade utility cabinets
     
  4. All new concrete to be colored—should staining of existing concrete be explored?
     
  5. Installation of street signal control cabinet screens
     
  6. Additional installations of Rail tie and rusted pipe fencing
     
  7. Rusted or brown street sign posts
     
  8. Additional program to maintain painted (western reserve) sign backs
     
  9. Can any of the traffic signs backgrounds be brown?
     
  10. Consider DC Ranch standards for:
     
    • Traffic Signal structures ( include adaptations for wireless facitiltes)
    • Traffic sign and post system
    • Colored concrete - Other elements?
       
  11. Incorporated logo or character brand opportunities—Desert Foothills Scenic Drive logo? Other? Where?
     
  12. Entry Markers for Scenic Drive – Enhanced?  Better Placement?  Replacement?
     
  13. Enhancement plan for monument pull-out area for tourism / citizens
     
    • Possible combined trail head
    • Other City Services Combined? Fire station?
       
  14. Street light policy formalized for area?
     
  15. Lower Speed limits
     
  16. No sound abatement walls
     
  17. No more than 2 lanes each direction, but keep full 150’ Right-of-way width
     
  18. Strengthen landscape edge definition along roadway
     
  19. Set example for Phoenix??
     
  20. “Common Thread” or theme for link to overall Scottsdale Road identity adapted for Desert Foothills Area.  Ideas??
     
  21. Better management plan for maintaining character of Scenic Drive
     
    • Landscape removal polices
    • City maintenance
    • Volunteer maintenance