While you’re in town for Barrett-Jackson, be sure to explore the unique Scottsdale Civic Center – remembering, as you stroll, that this is really where the seed that became The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions was planted.
Written by Barbara Toombs
A meeting between classic car aficionados Russ Jackson and Tom Barrett in the early 1960s set them on a road that effectively changed the face of car collecting forever, culminating in what is now known as The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions. The collaboration between the two men had humble beginnings that sprung not only from a passion for vintage vehicles but also a love for their recently adopted hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, which was incorporated as a town in 1951 and became a city in 1962.
The population of “The West’s Most Western Town” had grown rapidly from a mere 2,000 in 1951 to more than 10,000 by 1960 and showed no signs of stopping. Recognizing that the rapidly growing municipality needed a civic infrastructure, a downtown site was chosen for a new governmental complex. The 1966 master plan called for a civic and commercial mix that would include a municipal library, convention center and museums, along with commercial buildings around a landscaped pedestrian mall adorned with sculptures, fountains and pools. Tapped to bring the plan to life was architect Bennie Gonzales, who envisioned a cultural center in which civic discussions, educational pursuits and appreciation for the arts would coexist.
Barrett and Jackson decided to help the project along by holding a car show and parade – dubbed the “Fiesta de los Autos Elegantes” – to raise funds for the city’s arts center and to buy books for the community library. That car show evolved into what is now a collector car auction known the world over, and today, the Scottsdale Civic Center Library and Scottsdale Center for the Arts remain two important anchors of what is now a unique urban park.
The Civic Center, constructed in stages between 1968 and 1975, had as its unifying element the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, with several entrances to ensure access from all surrounding areas. Although the city made gradual improvements over the years to enhance the usability of the space, a complete revitalization of the center began in 2021.
The updated Scottsdale Civic Center, unveiled in the fall of 2023, is truly an oasis in the desert. After the $33 million renovation, it – more than ever before – is a fantastic place to take in a concert, attend a festival or enjoy a picnic in the beautiful Arizona weather. Bordered by restaurants, art galleries, shops and residences, the Civic Center abounds with trees, plants, lawns, fountains and sculptures. Walkways, benches and bistro tables beckon visitors to hang out.
Updates to the Civic Center included the addition of a new 360 Stage with surrounding lawns just outside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (connecting the already existing West Bowl and Central Lawn performance areas) and a large amphitheater in what is known as the East Bowl.
Plan to enjoy a peaceful stroll on the Civic Center Mall and take in the Marshall Gardens, Botanical Garden and the Children’s Gardens, as well as the Social Hub, located between Scottsdale City Hall and Civic Center Library. Providing a direct connection to the new children’s library entrance, the hub has a splash pad and fog feature, a children’s play area, and shaded social and picnic areas.
The Scottsdale Civic Center also serves as an outdoor art gallery for several impressive installments, including The Yearlings, created in 1985; the steel Windows to the West, dedicated in 1973; and the 12-foot-tall, bright red and blue Love sculpture that has served as the backdrop for many wedding and family photos over the years.
Cultural buildings surrounding the Civic Center area include the Little Red Schoolhouse built in 1909 that now houses the Scottsdale Historical Museum, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA).
While you’re in town for Barrett-Jackson, be sure to explore the unique Scottsdale Civic Center – remembering, as you stroll, that this is really where the seed that became The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions was planted.
