Something is just not adding up here.

I read the papers and listen to the news occasionally, and keep hearing a story of gloom and doom.

Yesterday, my son and I took a walk in our neighborhood, and all we saw was construction, construction, and more construction. 

The red flags on the map show all the activity that we encountered in our 3.5 mile loop.

The first major project we encountered was the Indian Bend Wash Bridge on Indian Bend Road, halfway between Scottsdale and Hayden Roads. When we have our monsoons or heavier winter rains, this wash holds the runoff from the northeast valley and floods, making the road impassable. This two year project will put a 4-lane bridge and pedestrian walkway on this heavily traveled road that now connects to the 101 freeway.

Then, across the road on the south side on Indian Bend Rd, we could see the Starpointe Corriente condo-style community that is well under way, and will have great view from it's vantage point.  First residents are expected to start moving in by the end of the year.

After a quick stop at Starbuck's, on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend (just across the street from the McCormick-Stillman Train Park), we headed north.

The Starpoint Artesia community is being build on the site of the Radison Hotel. Sales are scheduled to start later this year.  This is a mixed-use communitycombining retail, penthouses, brownstones, townhomes, lush gardens, and gated security.  After watching the razing of the hotel, it's been exciting to watch this new community take shape.

Heading north to McCormick Ranch Parkway, we see the final stages of the demolition of the waterfall entrance to McCormick Ranch.  This project has been in the works for well over a year and you can read more about the plans in a conversation that I had with Garth Saager, Executive Director of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association, when I paid him an impromptu visit this past week.  The drawing I saw in his office show that in a short time we will have a new and very strikingly beautiful entrance as a gateway to McCormick Ranch.

I'm well aware that we are in a slower time of development and construction across the nation.  With the record number of homes for sale, buyers are taking their time and sellers are getting an education, here in Scottsdale, too.  At the same time, it's pretty easy to be optimistic, when the weather is warm and sunny, the traffic is getting heavier as the winter visitors return, and there's the steady hum of construction in the background indicating that life is moving on and progress is being made.