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This Week
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
NEWS ................. 8
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Carefree vandals ‘beware’ of new security BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
The Hideaway Grill dubbed an ‘iconic’ local landmark
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arefree Town Council voted during the Aug. 4 meeting to approve funding for a security camera system in the Carefree Desert Gardens after a signi�icant increase in vandalism. Town Administrator Gary Neiss said the gardens have experienced numerous
vandalism incidents in the past three to four years, with damages totaling about $20,000. “Some of our specimen cactuses have been desecrated with people carving their initials or a picture into various cacti,” Neiss said. “Our restrooms have been vandalized. Fixtures have been vandalized; lights have been stolen. Some kids like riding skateboards
and bicycles using our short pony walls as kind of an obstacle course, riding on them and ripping apart the surface treatments. “We also had furniture that was stolen in the gardens, too, that was actually bolted down to the ground. So, they actually clipped the airline cable, which you would need a heavy construction cutter to clip
He emphasized that this project is an update, not an overhaul, and in the best interest of the town. “Our goal is really to maintain the local �lair and character that we have. So that’s why we want this to be more inclusive with the businesses and with the property owners and really look at ways to maintain the tenants that we have and build upon that,” Prokopek said. “It’s what makes us unique. So that’s de�initely what we’d like to do, is keep maintaining that and really build upon that.” The new redevelopment area spans approximately 60 acres and is generally bounded by Tom Darlington Drive, Ed Everett Way, Ridgeview Lane, Cave Creek Road and Bloody Basin Road. The area has 60 different property owners, which staff personally communicated with about 75% of, ac-
cording to Prokopek. After months of communication, a formal noti�ication was sent by mail in July, informing property owners of the upcoming public hearing. The project is still in the early stages, with the zoning approval on Aug. 3 completing the �irst phase. While most of the �ine details are still being worked out, business owners are on board with the redevelopment and agree that it is best for the town. “It sounds like he wants to make the town more attractive, �irst of all, to residents, but also make it more of an attraction for other people,” said Don Little, owner of Black Mountain Coffee in the town center. “It’s been months since we �irst talked and he (Prokopek) �irst told me his vision of Carefree, and I don’t disagree with most of
see VANDALS page 4
Carefree council OKs business district boundaries
BUSINESS ......... 14 Pigtails & Crewcuts offers hassle-free haircuts for all
FEATURES ........ 15 NVSO unveils forthcoming 2021-22 concert season
OPINION ......................9 BUSINESS ................. 14 FEATURES ................ 15 YOUTH ...................... 20 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 21 Zone
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BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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arefree Town Council approved a resolution that established the central business district’s boundaries. This allows it to move forward with plans to revitalize the town center for economic growth. Business owners who would be directly impacted by these changes supported the effort. The town’s economic development director, Steve Prokopek, led a presentation describing the proposed changes, which include additional signage, new entryway details, safer spaces for pedestrians and bikers, improved parking, and redevelopment of dated or vacant buildings. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion and Carefree Gardens will be enhanced as well.
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