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    Home » The Collective Sedona in VOC Thriving
    Sedona

    The Collective Sedona in VOC Thriving

    October 25, 2016Updated:October 27, 20164 Comments8 Mins Read
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    By Tommy Acosta

    Sedona Village Business Association

    Sedona, AZ (October 25, 2016) There are those who would look at a broken cup, see no value in it and without a second thought, throw it into the trash. Then there are those who would look at the same broken cup, see it’s potential, glue it back together, paint it and turn it into a work of art. Such is the case with Thomas McPherson of the Fenix Private Capital Group L.L.C, who saw the potential of what was formerly called Tequa Plaza in the Village of Oak Creek and with the support of  the Sedona Village Business Association (SBVA), local artisans. innovative tenant’s shops and boutiques, collectively are creating a work of art.

    Collective Sedona
    Click photo go to The Collective Sedona Website

    From the ashes of stagnation and disrepair Thomas turned the plaza into the magical indoor/outdoor cultural, art, wellness, shopping and dining center it has become today; a must visit world-class Arizona destination point for travelers and locals alike.

    Changing the name of the plaza to The Collective Sedona, pouring millions of dollars into the revitalization of the center which only one year ago appeared to be on the verge of economic collapse, Thomas and his team have breathed new life into it.

    Where once many plaza stores, restaurants and venues were struggling, The Collective Sedona is now becoming a thriving cultural and shopping center boasting more than 31 shops, galleries, wineries, breweries, great restaurants, spas, event venue space, a 13,500-square foot entertainment plaza for events like Farmer’s Market’s, concerts, festivals and performances; and yes, even a bank.

    When Thomas first saw the property, it did not take him long to buy it in August of 2015.

    Sedona
    Thomas McPherson. Click for interview.

    “I saw an amazing potential to improve a blighted center in a wonderful community,” he said. “Lack of care on the previous owner’s part was a major challenge. The property had significant amounts of deferred maintenance and a bad reputation as a ‘center that just never made it.’ Looking beyond the challenges I saw a vibrant community center with a focus on art, dining, shopping, health & wellness and events with lots of local cultural significance.”

    He said his group spent a significant amount of money and even more time reaching out to the community to show its potential.

    “Once people started seeing it come together they really got behind us,” he said. 

    SVBA
    Click photo to visit the Sedona Village Website. Learn what they do for the community. SVBA members from left: Marc Fuller; Sue Shurgin; SVBA President Sandra Barrett; SVBA Vice-President Nina Joy Rizzo; and SVBA Treasurer Tom Graham

    “We pride ourselves on supporting great local businesses, hosting world-class events like The Sedona Yoga Fest… and we have amazing views of the red rocks from the entire property. The Collective Sedona is going to become one of Northern Arizona’s premier cultural destinations. We have some of the finest restaurants, shopping, art galleries and events in the state. I am looking forward to the continued economic development of the Village of Oak Creek and the Greater Sedona area. This part of Arizona is such a beautiful place to live, visit, and enjoy.”

    Nina Joy Rizzo, vice-president of the Sedona Village Business Association, has been tirelessly working with McPherson and all of the businesses in the center to make that vision come true through her organization’s unfaltering and solid support.

    Dedicated to furthering the general business interests of merchants, businesses and professionals in the Village of Oak Creek area, the SVBA plans to sponsor numerous cultural events in the Village and at the center, the most recent being the fund-raising Oktoberfest Celebration organized by SVBA Secretary Robin Amanda Kelley.

    “As vice-president of The Sedona Village Business Association and on behalf of our organization and wonderful community, I’d like to say we are so excited with the grand opening of The Collective Sedona here in the Village of Oak Creek,” said Nina Joy. “We have no doubt The Collective Sedona will soon become a world-class destination point for those visiting the Southwest. World famous Chef Lisa Dahl and one of her four fabulous restaurant’s, Cucina Rustica, is located in The Collective. Cucina has carried the ball and has remained packed each and every evening for fine dining. Guitar legend Anthony Mazzella plays in the courtyard for various events. We’ve had dance parties going into the wee morning hours with Dexx Negron, at Vista Hall. Historic Brewery is open in the evening along with JWine Bistro now, too. Woo Hoo! We Have A Nightlife in the VOC. Finally! It is a fresh new energy of younger thinking and younger minds, collectively! We are magic and it’s happening now.”

    The SVBA is looking for volunteers and anyone interested in doing so can contact Nina Joy Rizzo at 602-481-8086 or email ninajoyrizzo@gmail.com for more information.

    For most visitors driving into Sedona their path takes them through the Village of Oak Creek and they must pass The Collective Sedona on their way in.

    things-to-do-in-sedona
    NJoyFractals – Nina Joy Rizzo and Doc LJ Chabot Ph.D. Hands-On Medical Intuit. Click photo for The Collective Sedona events.

    The center is now being referred to as the “Gateway to Sedona” and it is most definitely living up to that description as the sense of its vibrancy and beauty continue to grow.

    Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty believes The Collective Sedona will greatly benefit all of Greater Sedona and draw even more visitors to Red Rock Country, something all stakeholders in the city’s economy can appreciate.

    things-to-do-in-sedpna
    Click photo for shopping The Collective Sedona

    “I have watched The Collective with great interest as it has been transformed over the last year or so,” the mayor said. “The space has tremendous potential and is now coming into its own as a very vibrant multifunctional place. As I have noted before, I believe that the residents of the Verde Valley have much to gain from taking a regional approach. In my nearly 45 years as a Sedona resident, I have participated throughout the Verde Valley in many different organizations, both forming friendships and building working relationships to accomplish meaningful goals. We can do so much more by working together. And for Sedona, our closest regional partners are the parts of our community just outside our borders: the Big Park region, Oak Creek Canyon, the Loop road, and the residences accessed by Dry Creek Road, including the Enchantment Resort.”

    She said city boundaries are irrelevant when it comes to the area’s benefit.

    screen-shot-2016-10-26-at-7-50-15-am
    SVBA Secretary Robin Amanda Kelly with Sedona Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Gary Kincaide.

    “The economic development and artistic, educational and cultural opportunities in the Big Park area will benefit all of us, regardless of where the city limits are,” the mayor said. “The same is true of the other areas already mentioned, as well as in all the other areas of the Verde Valley, incorporated or unincorporated. City boundaries do have consequences but are not important when it comes to being part of the community we all love.”

    She said the center would draw even more people to Greater Sedona and provide benefits for locals as well.

    “I believe The Collective will draw more visitors to the area as it continues to develop and mature,” she said. “I see this as nothing but a positive, as it will only make our community more attractive with a wider variety of options for both residents and visitors.”

    Sedona Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff also welcomes The Collective Sedona.

    Click photo for The Collective Sedona dining

    “The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is very excited to welcome The Collective Sedona as a vibrant new anchor to Sedona’s excellent array of products and services,” she said. “The Collective Sedona is a great collection of diverse shops and galleries, health spa (with an innovative salt room), meeting space, restaurants, tasting rooms and inviting open space – all in a fantastic location, the gateway to the red rocks.”

    She said the center is creating a new spirit for the Village of Oak Creek area.

    “Thomas McPherson, the owner of the facility, has brought the spark back to the VOC (Village of Oak Creek) and his dynamic spirit is contagious,” she said. “We believe that The Collective Sedona will strengthen our community’s unique character by embracing our distinctive arts and cultural heritage, wellness attributes and overall positive energy. We know our community is stronger when we work together in cooperation and partnerships, not only improving the vitality and prosperity of the region but creating a greater sense of community as well. We are looking forward to promoting, assisting and building upon the efforts The Collective Sedona to create a refreshed vibrant economy for the entire community.

    She said the Sedona Chamber of Commerce would do its part to keep the spirit growing.

    “Congratulations to all the new and expanded businesses located at The Collective Sedona,” she said. “We are looking forward to helping you grow, prosper and build economic wealth for the area.”

    Visit the Collective Sedona located at 7000 S.R. 179, Sedona AZ 86351 and see for yourself what the buzz is about. The vibrancy can’t be denied and the future shines bright for this wonderful new center of opportunity, celebration, fun, health and art.

    For more information visit thesedonacollective.com. or call 928-255-0900.

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    art sedona food sedona galleries sedona italian food sedona. restaurants sedona shopping sedona things to do in sedona
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    Tommy Acosta
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    4 Comments

    1. Pamela Ramsey on October 26, 2016 9:54 am

      So proud of you all! Great Job!!!

    2. Alarmed on October 29, 2016 2:07 pm

      It’s not legal to use City funds to promote the Verde Valley region. The City is abusing its power. Sedona is an incorporated City, not a communist country.

      • Beverly Kievman Copen on October 31, 2016 3:02 pm

        To my knowledge, Alarmed, there were NO city funds used for The Collective Sedona. All privately financed.

    3. Alarmed on November 1, 2016 1:25 pm

      Here’s one of the seven strategies listed by Molly Spangler, Director of Economic Development, in her “Planning Out A Better Economy” City Talk article of October 27th on The Biz:

      “THINK REGIONALLY TO SUPPORT AND GROW THE VERDE VALLEY ECONOMY.”

      The State of Arizona recently passed SB 1487 to help deal with cities and towns that abuse their powers. The City should be working on meeting the needs of the residents and businesses of incorporated Sedona, NOT thinking regionally to support and grow the Verde Valley economy.

    Paid Political Ad Paid For by Samaire for Mayor
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     THE MOMENT IS UPON US

    Dear Sedona,

    The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.

    The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.

    Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.

    This is my home. I have been a part of the Sedona community for 28 years. I witnessed the road debacle, the lack of planning, the city circumventing the local businesses ability to thrive, while making choices to expand the local government and be in direct competition with private industry.

    I am a unique candidate because unlike the incumbents, I don’t believe the government should expand in size, nor in operations, nor would I attempt to micromanage every aspect of our community.

    City government should stay in its lane and allow the competitive market of local private industry to prosper. And it should defend our community from corporate takeover and infiltration of our town.

    I do not agree that we should sign onto International Building Codes and regulations by signing Sedona up to the ICC. It is imperative that we remain a sweet, rural community.

    Where are the arts? Where is this organic thriving element that we allege to be animated by. Where is our culture? Where is our community?

    The discord between the decision making process and the desires of the community have never been more clear. It has been nearly a decade in the making.

    It is time for a new era of energy to take charge. An energy that is reflective in the ability to succeed rather than be trapped in out of date consciousness.

    It has been a great honor meeting with each of you. I hear your concerns over the insane and out of control spending and I echo them. A budget of $105,000,000 in a town of 9700 residents is completely unacceptable. A parking structure (that looks like a shoe box) originally slated to cost 11 million, now projected to cost 18 million, is incomprehensible. Especially, considering there is no intention of charging for parking.

    For those who are concerned that I lack the political experience within our established system- that is precisely what Sedona needs… Not another politician, but instead a person who understands people, who listens to the voices within the community, and who will act in service on their behalf with accountability, for the highest good of Sedona. What I am not, will prove to be an asset as I navigate the entrenched bureaucracy with a fresh perspective. Business as usual, is over.

    Creative solutions require new energy.

    Every decision that is made by our local government, must contemplate Sedona first.

    • Does this decision benefit the residents?
    • Does this decision benefit the local businesses?
    • Does this decision actually help the environment?
    • Will this decision sustain benefit in the future, or will it bring more problems?

    What we have now is a city government that expands to 165 employees for 9700 residents. Palm Desert has 53,000 residents and 119 city employees. Majority of our city department heads are not even in town. I find this problematic.

    Efforts towards championing in and courting new solutions for our medical needs are imperative. We are losing our doctors. We must encourage competition with other facilities rather than be held hostage by NAH, who clearly have their own set of dysfunctions.

    We must remember that so many move to Sedona for its beauty, hiking, and small town charm. Bigger, faster, and more concrete does not, in broad strokes, fit the ethos of Sedona.

    The old world must remain strong here in balance, as that is what visitors want to experience. Too many have noted that Sedona has lost its edge and charm.

    As Mayor I will preserve the rural charm of our community, and push back against the urbanization that is planned for Sedona.

    As mayor I will make it a priority to create opportunities to support our youth.  After school healthy, enriching programs should be created for our kids, and available to the Sedona workforce regardless of residency and regardless of school they belong to.

    As Mayor, I will create an agenda to deliberately embody the consciousness of our collective needs here, allowing private industry to meet the needs of our community rather than bigger government.

    I hope to have your vote on Aug 2nd. I am excited and have the energy to take on this leadership role with new eyes, community perspective, and the thoughtful consciousness that reflects all ages of the human spectrum.

    Thank you deeply for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Samaire Armstrong


    Heads or Tails
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    Let’s face it. I love conspiracy theories. The more far-out the better. Yup. I’m one of those. Looking at the Trump raid fiasco there can only be two theories that I see fit perfectly into the scenario that’s being weaved for public consumption. The first is that what is happening is actually being engineered by the forces that want Trump to return to the White House. Just like with the Russia-Russia thing, what is going to happen after all the hoopla,Trump will be found completely innocent just like before and he will be loved even more by his fans and followers. Those who tried to put him down will be chagrinned while those who supported him politically will be exalted. Republicans will be revived, and they will go out and vote in a new Congress and Trump will rule once again. Then there is the other side of the coin. Read more→
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