Soleri Pedestrian Bridge Paolo Soleri		Print This Page Email This Page

Future Location
Spanning the Arizona Canal at Scottsdale’s Waterfront
Southwest of Scottsdale and Camelback Roads

Project Update

Driving along Scottsdale Road over the Arizona Canal, one cannot help but notice the large construction fence – behind which the Soleri Plaza is taking shape.  On July 26th, the 115, 000 pound stainless steel bridge structure was placed over the canal.  The south and east retaining walls have been formed.  These “drip” walls are examples of Soleri’s earth-cast process.  Over several days, cement and sand were carefully formed and faceted with additional cement slurry dripped over the top resulting in these very individual walls.

Project History
•July 26, 2010, Soleri Bridge structure placed over the Arizona Canal
•March 2, 2010 – Scottsdale City Council approved construction award to Howard S. Wright
•December 2009 – Plan approval from City of Scottsdale and SRP
• VIP tours for Scottsdale Public Art Board, City Council and SCC Boards held on: October 1st , October 8th 2009, and February 11th 2010 at Cosanti.
• October 2009 – Final design for construction completed
• June 21, 2009 – Celebration of Paolo Soleri’s 90th Birthday event
• Fall 2008 through fall 2009:  Pre-Construction Phase
• June 2008 Construction funding officially in place
• City Council unanimously endorsed funding for the bridge and plaza
•  Public Meeting Fall 2007
•  Schematic Design Development though May 2007
•  Public feedback June 2005
•  SPA Board approved the preliminary concept May 11, 2004
•  Public feedback Fall 2004
•  Artist Selection May 2002

Construction News
Follow news and updates on the Soleri Bridge and Plaza – real time through Scottsdale Public Art’s Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/scottsdalepublicart

Photo by Stephen Krystek

Description
A joint Scottsdale Public Art and City of Scottsdale Capital Improvement Project, the Soleri Bridge and Plaza creates a  welcoming setting and an important informal and formal gathering place for the community—encouraging visitors and residents to relax, play, stroll, read, bring their lunch, and enjoy the canal, as well as to attend small-scale events and cultural programs.

At twenty-seven feet wide on the south end and narrowing to eighteen feet on the north, the bridge connects Fashion Square and the Waterfront shops to Southbridge and Gallery districts south of the Arizona Canal in Downtown Scottsdale.
Providing additional access across the canal, the pedestrian-only bridge provides a scenic view point over the 60-wide water conveyance channel, creating a welcome respite from the nearby vehicular traffic of Scottsdale Road.

In addition to allowing important regular canal maintenance activities, the plaza design fully incorporates the Sun Circle Trail through the site, for contiguous horseback passage on the historic, 18 mile regional trail.

Visitors are also welcome at Cosanti, Soleri's original studio in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Visit www.arcosanti.org for details.

Project Makes Recent News
"Bridge Takes Shape"
Additional Information

Photo by Stephen Krystek

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