Scottsdale moves ahead on Old Town parking garage expansion, with construction due in July

Brian Bateman — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:04:18 +0000

Old Town parking project moves forward

Scottsdale is moving ahead with the Brown Avenue parking structure expansion in Old Town, a project city leaders say is meant to ease one of the area’s most persistent access problems.

The current city timeline calls for construction to begin in July 2026, with new parking stalls expected to open in spring 2027. For residents, workers, business owners, and visitors who rely on Old Town’s core streets, that makes this one of the city’s most visible downtown projects to watch over the next year.

Why the city says the project is needed

Old Town packs restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, housing, and city uses into a compact area where parking demand can spike quickly, especially during busy nights and events. Scottsdale’s project page describes the expansion as a way to add capacity in the heart of the district and support access as the area continues to function as a regional destination.

That does not mean the new structure will solve every parking complaint or traffic pinch point in Old Town. It does mean the city is still treating parking supply as a practical downtown issue, not just a convenience issue.

Council action on April 14

The Scottsdale City Council advanced the project at its April 14, 2026, regular meeting. That vote moved the expansion further into the implementation phase and set up the July construction window now listed by the city.

AZFamily reported on the vote and noted that the project drew controversy, reflecting the broader debate over how Scottsdale should balance access, cost, and downtown growth. The official meeting record shows the council action that put the project on track.

What changes next

According to the city’s Brown Avenue parking structure expansion page, the work is tied to a specific construction schedule and a spring 2027 opening target for the added stalls. The project sits in Old Town Scottsdale, where parking demand is closely tied to dining, nightlife, shopping, and special events.

That means the biggest short-term effect may be construction-related disruption rather than a finished parking benefit. Businesses and nearby property owners should expect some level of access concern once work starts, even if the exact impact depends on the construction staging the city uses.

For visitors and workers, the longer-term effect is simpler: more parking capacity in a district where available spaces can be hard to find at peak times. For nearby residents, the project is another sign that Old Town’s growth is still forcing the city to invest in basic infrastructure that supports daily circulation.

What to watch next

The next milestone is the July 2026 construction start. From there, the key question will be how smoothly the city can keep Old Town moving while the expansion is built and whether the added spaces ease pressure once they open in spring 2027.

For now, the project stands as one of Scottsdale’s main downtown access investments: a parking expansion that may not end the Old Town parking debate, but will likely shape how the district functions for businesses, workers, and visitors next year.