History
of McDowell Mountain Ranch
MMR History is both fascinating and amazing! Check out all the Innovations, Milestones, and Accolades!
1992 – The Beginning
- Long-time Valley residents and philanthropists, the Herberger family sells its 3,200-acre ranch to Newhall Land Farming Company. As part of the transaction, Bob Herberger stipulates that a portion of the property transfer to the public domain.
- Curt Smith joins Newhall Land Farming as executive vice president of McDowell Mountain Ranch Company, a division of the Valencia, Calif.-based real estate developer.
1993–1994 – Laying the Foundation
- Curt Smith meets with various neighborhood and preservation groups to review development plans.
- Nearly 900 pristine acres nestled against the foothills on the southwestern slopes of the McDowell Mountains are donated to the City of Scottsdale for public use as part of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve – a gift valued at $7 million.
- McDowell Mountain Ranch wins unanimous support of the Scottsdale Planning Commission and the City Council.
- Largest new community approved for development under Scottsdale’s Environmental Sensitivity and Landscape Ordinance (ESLO) of 1991. The ESLO also mandated creation and maintenance of a minimum percentage of Natural Area Open Space (NAOS), i.e., washes and open space corridors, within McDowell Mountain Ranch.
1995 – MMR History: A Community Takes Shape
- A herd of nine mule deer, bronze sculptures that reflect the community’s widely recognized logo, stand as sentries at the entrance to McDowell Mountain Ranch on Bell Road. The life-sized deer were created by world-renowned artist Snell Johnson.
- April 1995: Eight builders offering 21 models in 11 neighborhoods begin sales. Prices range from the mid-$120’s to more than $500,000. During April, the four builders participating report receiving 34 lot reservations and an additional 82 contracts on homes.
- McDowell Mountain Ranch wins coveted MAME Award as 1995 “Master Planned Community of the Year” from the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.
- May 1995: The community’s award-winning McDowell Mountain Ranch Information Center is opened.
- Scottsdale residents vote in favor of a .2-cent sales tax to acquire land for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
- August 1995: The McDowell Mountain Ranch Community Association issues guidelines for homeowners.
- October 1995: The first “Design Trail Weekend” is hosted by the community.
1996 – Growth and Recognition
- March 1996: The first “Desert Dwellers Weekend” is hosted by the community.
- April 1996: McDowell Mountain Ranch is sold to a joint-venture partnership of Haas Haynie Corporation and Sunbelt Holdings.
- May 1996: Curt Smith reports 9.4 weekly home sales on average, with 150 families already living in the community.
- June 1996: Dedication of public parking and trail access on National Trails Day.
- July 1996: Wins two Gold Nugget Awards of Merit at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.
- August 1996: A 70-acre campus is donated for shared use – Desert Canyon School and Arabian Library.
- September 1996: Scottsdale voters approve revenue bonds to fund Preserve land acquisitions.
- November 1996: Community Center design wins Environmental Excellence Award.
1997 – Infrastructure & Community Expansion
- Fall 1997: Final design of Pima Freeway section completed.
1998 – Innovation and Milestones in MMR History
- January 1998: Home sales increase 37%, now among the top 10 communities in the nation.
- Internet real estate information becomes available.
- Greenway-Hayden Loop bridge scheduled to open.
- Perimeter Center business park reaches 60% sales or escrow.
- February 1998: Construction begins on Thompson Peak Parkway Bridge.
- Phoenix Coyotes’ practice facility opens nearby.
- May 1998: Council considers new WestWorld design.
Spring 1998: Geoffrey H. Edmunds opens Cimarron Hills. - June 1998: Arabian Library circulation doubles; $22,396 donated by MMR.
- July 1998: Sunbelt Holdings merges with MMR corporate office.
- Curt Smith becomes EVP and COO.
- August 1998: Desert Canyon School opens as K-8 site.
- Construction begins on Pima Freeway and new medical plaza.
- Fall 1998: Soccer center completed; aquatic center prioritized.
- Giant Industries announces new location.
- November 1998: Preserve boundaries expanded.
- Thompson Peak Bridge opens; stewards graduate training.
1999 – Accolades and Expansion
- January 1999: NAHB Silver Awards in several categories.
Annual home sales surpass 2,300. - February 1999: Pima Road construction causes detours.
- March 1999: Builder communities win MAME Awards.
- April 1999: Community celebrates fourth birthday; ahead of build-out schedule.
- Shopping center announced.
- Shea Homes to open Sonoran Fairways.
- Sanctuary Golf Course to achieve Audubon Signature Status.
- June 1999: HOA transition announced, five years early.
- August 1999: Resident committee oversees HOA transition.
2000 – MMR History: Community Matures
- March 2000: Nine residents appointed to HOA board.
Community wins multiple 2000 MAME Awards. - Spring 2000: Sanctuary Golf Course opens.
Features include 18-hole course and 10,000-square-foot clubhouse. - Fall 2000: Sonoran Estates, Sunrise Point, and Cimarron Ridge models open.
Giant Industries and Desert Canyon Shopping Center open. - MMR named #1 Master Planned Community by Arizona Business Magazine.
2001 – Enhancing Resident Life
March 2001: Engle Homes wins MAME Awards for models and website.
- July 2001: Information Center closes after 38,315 presentations.
- November 2001: Third recreation center opens.
MMR ranked #2 in Arizona for 2001. - Information Center purchased for resident services.
2002–2007 – Completion & Legacy
- May 2002: Bashas’ and other retailers open in new center.
- July 2003: Last builder models close – community is sold out.
- February 2007: McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center opens to the public.