City Survey Sparks Debate Over Sedona Cultural Park’s Future Direction

Sedona, Arizona, recently concluded its survey on the future of the Sedona Cultural Park, now referred to by the city as the Western Gateway. This name change has caused confusion among some residents, who noted that it does not appear in the survey itself. For over 27 years, locals have used different terminology to describe the area.

The city of Sedona and its council first announced a $23 million purchase of the 41-acre park without definitive plans. Later, they suggested that the site could be leveraged for housing options, which resonated with residents in a prior survey conducted in October. With housing as a primary concern, it was excluded from the latest survey, which sought feedback on community amenities instead.

The first phase of the survey inquired about park types, offering “civic center plaza/park,” “community park,” or “neighborhood park” as options, each accompanied by definitions. Residents have expressed a long-standing desire for a city center, stating that current venues do not fulfill this need adequately, especially during crowded events.

A proposed recreation center was highlighted next, drawing comparisons to the Cottonwood Recreation Center, which hosts various community activities. However, the survey introduced complex phrasing, such as asking for support for city expenditures on a recreation center that “could result in increased taxes.” This raises skepticism since Sedona currently has no property tax.

Tourists contribute substantially to the city’s financial resources, covering 78% of the budget through sales taxes. This implies that local residents might shoulder only a fraction of any new construction costs, should a recreation center materialize.

The city council’s past decisions, including purchasing the park without public consultation and making a temporary sales tax permanent, have drawn criticism. With housing established as a leading concern among citizens, the recent survey posed the contentious question of whether the existing amphitheater should remain in the park’s redevelopment plan. This portion of the survey closed on January 19.

Another proposal discussed was a new amphitheater seating up to 5,000. The estimated construction cost ranges from $12 million to $64 million, with references to similar facilities across the country. Interestingly, prior architects of the original Sedona Cultural Park have suggested that renovations to the existing structure could cost just $3 million to $5 million.

Concerns regarding the amphitheater’s necessity and location were also addressed. If built, this large venue could dominate the Western Gateway property, limiting other potential uses and impacting local traffic. The survey also questioned residents about supporting further city expenses related to the amphitheater.

With the Western Gateway master planning process ongoing, a public meeting has been rescheduled from February 6 to a tentative date of February 19. Residents are encouraged to engage with the survey results and participate in shaping the future of the Sedona Cultural Park.