By Terrance Thornton | Independent Newsmedia
The Scottsdale Desert Discovery Center Phase III Feasibility Committee is expected by May 8 to craft a series of recommendations for where they think the best fit for a $74 million desert-appreciation center is in or around the Gateway of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses 21,400 acres of land with rough boundaries of the Pinnacle Peak Road alignment to the west, McDowell Mountain Regional Park to the east, Happy Valley Road to the north and Via Linda Road alignment to the south.
The city plans to acquire 31,000 acres for the preserve over the next several years, city officials say.
The center originally was proposed to be at the Gateway, but over the past few years concerns have been expressed over where the appropriate location of the appreciation center ought to be, city officials say.
The estimated 20- to 30-acre appreciation venue is sought to serve as an elaborate museum geared toward teaching patrons the story of the Upper Sonoran Desert.
Over the past four years about $700,000 has been spent in the study and preparation for developing the Discovery Center at the Gateway of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, according to Kroy Eckblaw, Scottsdale staff liaison to the feasibility committee.
Scottsdale City Council, however, has never approved a location for the Discovery Center.
