Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column

November 2006

Northeast Phoenix - the Perfect Place to "Shop Phoenix"

Believe it or not, November is here and no matter how much you shop all year long, you'll likely be doing even more of it for the next two months. A message we at the city try to get out every year around this time is to do that shopping within the city of Phoenix.

The reason is easy to explain.

When you buy things in Phoenix, your tax dollars stay in Phoenix. Since budgets are tight everywhere, sales tax revenues help pay for key services in your neighborhood – like Police, Fire, libraries, parks and senior centers.

Last year, sales taxes accounted for more than $400 million in revenue for the city.

The great thing about living in our part of town is that shopping in Phoenix is easy!

Kierland Commons and the Desert Ridge Marketplace are just two great destinations. The Costco on Cave Creek Road just south of the Loop 101 means you can use your Costco card now in north Phoenix. And, of course, there are also great shopping options nearby in and around Paradise Valley Mall.

And remember, sales taxes aren't just from stores. All of our great restaurants and hotels bring in sales tax revenue.

And if you plan on splurging for a new car for a loved one for the holidays, the dealerships on the west side of Scottsdale Road are in Phoenix, as, of course, are the dealerships on Bell Road between 20^th Street and 20^th Avenue.

The city's Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) works with the Mayor and City Council to bring in high-quality developments that draw more shoppers to Phoenix.

"District 2 is probably the best place in the city to live if you want to work, play, eat and shop," said Paul Katsenes, CEDD's deputy director. "It's a beautiful and convenient place to live because you don't have to travel too far for anything. The issue is choices, quality choices, and we have a lot of them in District 2."

And those choices will be getting even better. You may have heard the exciting news that a new Nordstrom store will be opening as part of the CityNorth development, just east of the Desert Ridge Marketplace at 56^th Street north of the Loop 101. Phoenix's first Nordstrom should be open in fall 2009. Plans for the 144-acre mixed use community also include three other anchor stores, many smaller shops, multiple new restaurants, hotels, residences and office space.

Northeast Phoenix is already great and getting even better.

So save gas, spend your dollars in Phoenix and spend less time sitting in traffic.

Keep your sales tax dollars in your own community by shopping in Phoenix around the holidays and all year long.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.