McDowell Mountain Ranch Homes

05/30/2026

Craft 64 in Old Town Scottsdale was named the 29th best pizzeria in the nation by 50 Top Pizza. Although the pizzeria has a Chandler location, the reviewers say that the downtown Scottsdale location is better of the two.

“In the heart of Old Town, the restaurant combines the soul of American wood-fired pizzeria with that of a contemporary pub: wooden tables, casual atmosphere, patio, and a well-curated beverage selection,” the review states. “The pizza is thin, hearty, cooked in a wood-fired oven, and designed to hold up generous toppings without losing balance. The dough pairs well with local ingredients and homemade mozzarella, one of the project's identity elements.”

The No. 1 pizzeria was Una Pizza Napoletana in New York followed by Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles and Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco. Penelope Pizza in Tucson was ranked 41st.

Craft 64 is located at 6922 E. Main St.

• 50 Top Pizza USA list: https://www.50toppizza.it/50-top-pizza-usa-2026/
• Craft 64 review: https://www.50toppizza.it/referenza/craft-64-2026/

05/29/2026

While there are a number of excellent Asian restaurants in Scottsdale, residents in the know often travel to north Mesa when they’re searching for authentic fare. Think the area around H Mart and Mekong Plaza, on Dobson Road and Main Street in Mesa, where diners can try multiple styles of Asian cuisine at respective food halls or at individual restaurants in the area.

McDowell Mountain Ranch and North Scottsdale residents will soon be able to enjoy similar hall-style dining just a few miles from home. That’s because Atashi Yokocho plans to open 15 Japanese eateries at the Sydney, an entertainment/retail center under-construction at the Loop 101 and 90th Street, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. Atashi Yokocho, created by restaurateur Huy Truong, will include 14,000 square feet of space inside the $100 million Sydney center, which will sit on a 26-acre site in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The restaurant hall is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028. Reverb by Hard Rock Scottsdale and City Winery are also planning to open in the Sydney.

Other restaurants developed by Truong include Phoenix and Mesa ramen restaurant-chain Mensho. Truong also plans to open Udon Shin, a specialized Japanese noodle restaurant in the Mesa Asian district along Dobson Road.

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/05/27/japanese-food-hall-scottsdale-developmenet.html

05/28/2026

Bulk brush and garbage pickup will be in Area 2 for 2026. As in previous years, homeowners are expected to separate green waste from other trash by at least 3 feet. Piles should not exceed 10 feet long and 6 feet wide and should not be taller than 4 feet. Homeowners should not put trash out earlier than Friday before bulk pickup dates. Pickup times in the McDowell Mountain Ranch area begin at 5 a.m. on the dates listed below, but the process may take several days:

• June 1
• July 6
• Aug. 3
• Sept. 7
• Oct. 5
• Nov. 2
• Dec. 7

tinyurl.com/mue56j6d

05/27/2026

Scottsdale Community College and WestWorld have broken ground to build a permanent, 22,000-square-foot facility for the college's Equine Science program, according to a city press release. The facility, expected to be completed this summer before fall classes, will include 10 horse stalls, two round pens, a hay shed, equipment storage and a dedicated farrier station designed.

“WestWorld has long been a destination for premier equestrian events, and this partnership with Scottsdale Community College strengthens that legacy while investing in the future of Arizona’s equine industry,” Scottsdale City Manager Greg Caton said in the press release. “This new facility creates meaningful opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in a world-class setting while supporting workforce development, education and economic vitality in our community.”

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony (left to right):
* Jan Dubauskus, Scottsdale City Council Member

* Susan Bitter Smith, Governing Board Member, Maricopa Community Colleges

* Mary Ann McCallen, Scottsdale City Council Member
Morgan Torrez, alumni of the Equine Science program

* Jay Clements, SCC Equine Science program director
Honorable Lisa Borowsky, City of Scottsdale Mayor

* Dr. Eric Leshinskie, president of SCC
Kenzie Smalls, alumni of the Equine Science program
Izabel Iradell, student in the Equine Science program

Sources:
* Scottsdale press release: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/scottsdale-news/details/scc--westworld-break-ground-on-new-equine-science-facility
* SCC press releases: https://www.scottsdalecc.edu/news/2026/scottsdale-community-college-and-westworld-celebrate-groundbreaking-new-equine-science-facility
* SCC's Equine Science program: https://www.scottsdalecc.edu/degrees-certificates/equine-science

05/26/2026

The Loop 101 Freeway will be undergoing lane restrictions and ramp closures beginning today, May 26th through June 1st. Here are the details from the Arizona Department of Transportation:

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions as work continues on the Loop 101 (Pima Freeway), Princess Drive/Pima Road to Shea Boulevard pavement project in north Scottsdale:

North- and southbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to two lanes between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Tuesday, May 26, and ending Friday morning, May 29.

During this time, the following north- and southbound Loop 101 on- and off-ramp closures will be needed:
* Shea Boulevard on- and off-ramps
* Cactus Road on- and off-ramps
* Raintree Drive on- and off-ramps
* Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard on- and off-ramps
* Pima Road on- and off-ramps

Ramp detours: Drivers may consider using the next on- or off-ramp along the freeway. Consecutive on- and off-ramps will not be closed simultaneously. Follow the signed detour routes.

North- and southbound Loop 101 will be narrowed to two lanes between Shea Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road from 10 p.m. Friday, May 29, to 5 a.m. Monday, June 1.

Expect north- and southbound Loop 101 on- and off-ramp closures in the area at times.

NOTE: Loop 101 on- and off-ramps will not be closed simultaneously. Ramps are anticipated to be closed for several hours at a time. Crews will be moving around the area based on progress.

Law enforcement officers will be on-site and the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in the work zone.

05/26/2026

While the former Phoenix Motorola campus is far away from McDowell Mountain Ranch, it would be fair to say that this manufacturing site played a major role in providing employment to early South Scottsdale residents. Had the Motorola facility not existed, the growth of North Scottsdale may have been delayed by years or decades.

Now that campus, where demolition was mostly completed by 2025, is looking at new life as a flex industrial and office park for tech, according to the Arizona Business Journal. AZUL, as it would be called, is looking at Dutch firm NXP Semiconductors NV as a possible tenant. NXP operates semiconductor wafer plants in Chandler and Austin, Texas, but it's not known how the company might want to use some the former Motorola space.

The campus, at 52nd Street and McDowell Road, could end up contributing 2 million square feet of usable space to the area. The development of the campus has been hindered by the need to clean up the contaminated site.

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/05/19/baker-development-former-motorola-campus.html

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! If you are looking for something to do on this day, check out Experience Scottsdale:

There's no better way to kick off summer than by visiting Scottsdale for Memorial Day weekend! Read our guide on the top things to see and do.

05/24/2026

Scottsdale Police makes it clear on social media that speeding cameras are back.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXe_FUEPM_F/

05/23/2026

Mendocino Farms plans to open its second Scottsdale location at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Promenade. The California-based sandwich and salad shop, which also opened its first Arizona location in Gainey Ranch last year, also plans to open a restaurant in the Phoenix Arcadia area at the end of summer.
Menu items include goat cheese and Thai Mango salads and smokey BBQ brioche and Peruvian Steak sandwiches.

Mendocino Farms: https://www.mendocinofarms.com/locations/North-Scottsdale

05/22/2026

The Scottsdale Development Review Board, which has only met twice this year because of a new state law restricting its authority, approved the draft version of the "Shade and Tree Plan for the Built Environment." The nonbinding plan, which is still in development, provides goals for increasing the amount of shade throughout Scottsdale.

The plan, designed to reduce urban heat generated by roads, buildings and other infrastructure, calls for the following coverage levels:

* Critical Shade Zones (75–100% Coverage)
Playgrounds, gathering areas, school pick-up/drop-off zones, seating in parks, and bus stops.

* Active Use Areas (50–75% Coverage)
Parking lots, streetscapes along major corridors, off-street paths/sidewalks.

* Functional Shade Areas (25–50% Coverage)
Commercial areas, streetscapes, residential sidewalks, open spaces in retention basins.

* Natural Integration Areas (30–60% Coverage)
Retention basins, green corridors, and other multipurpose areas.

* Supplemental Shade Areas (10–25% Coverage)
Industrial areas and residential yards

Trees, shade structures and water harvesting are key components of the plan. For example, the plan makes recommendations for tree selection and placement, soil preparation, watering strategies and pruning guidance. The list highlights many varieties of trees, but has a narrower range of options for North Scottsdale, which is mostly on Environmentally Sensitive Lands.

The report includes critical information about each tree type, such as its growth rate, whether it's pool friendly and how far apart they should be planted from each other, buildings and streets.

The report also goes into great detail about shade structure sizes, shapes, materials composition and best placement practices.

The report, currently at 164 pages, may serve as a great tool for builders, Homeowners Associations, homeowners and landscapers.

Shade and Tree Plan:https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning/projectsummary/dr_reports/DR_11_DR_2025.pdf