Potential Referendum

Axon Enterprise Inc.’s ambitious plan for a mixed-use headquarters near the Scottsdale Road & Loop 101 Corridor is hanging in the balance. The $1.3 billion project, originally approved in November 2024, is now facing a potential referendum that could derail the development. The opposition has gathered thousands of petition signatures, prompting Axon to reconsider its options, including moving the project to other states.

Petition’s Impact on Scottsdale Development Plans

A referendum effort by local opposition has thrown Axon’s Scottsdale project into question. The tech company, known for its tasers and body cameras, has responded by delaying its groundbreaking ceremony initially planned for January 10.

• 27,000 referendum signatures submitted in December 2024.
• Scottsdale City began the verification process in late December.
• Minimum of 15,353 valid signatures needed to force a public vote.
• City Council could delay the vote to November 2026.

If the project stalls further, Axon officials have hinted that relocation could become a reality, potentially ending the company’s Arizona operations.

Also Read: Large Developments Will Reshape Scottsdale In The New Year

Why Axon’s Vision Hinges On Integration

Axon’s proposed development features a sprawling mixed-use campus blending residential, commercial, and corporate spaces. However, opposition to the residential component poses a critical challenge.

• 2,000 residential units central to the project’s design.
• Restaurants, a hotel, and headquarters integrated into one site.
• $4.6 billion economic impact expected over 10 years.
• Significant concessions already made to address community concerns.

Without the residential units, Axon’s CEO Rick Smith has warned that the project is not viable.

Exploring Alternative Locations

If the Scottsdale project collapses, Axon is ready to shift focus to other states. Both Texas and Florida are under consideration, alongside cities where Axon already has operations.

• Texas and Florida highlighted as top choices.
• Current Axon operations in Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Seattle.
• Arizona risks losing one of its largest public companies.

Relocation could mean selling the 70-acre Scottsdale site, which is currently zoned for industrial use, dashing local economic hopes.

Also Read: Scottsdale City Council Approves Axon’s HQ & Housing Project

Referendum Process Could Stretch Years

The referendum process involves a lengthy series of steps, potentially pushing the decision to 2026. This delay could force Axon to abandon its Scottsdale plans entirely.

• Verification includes checking 2,292 petition sheets for errors.
• Maricopa County Recorder verifies a random sample of signatures.
• Successful petitions result in a ballot measure requiring public approval.

The drawn-out process adds uncertainty to a project already years in the making, leaving Axon’s future in Scottsdale hanging by a thread.

What’s At Stake

Axon has grown rapidly, becoming one of Arizona’s most successful public companies with a $43.5 billion market cap as of early 2025. Losing the project could mean a major economic setback for Scottsdale.

The road ahead is murky, but Axon’s ultimatum is clear: approval for the full project or a potential goodbye to Scottsdale. As petition verification continues, the city must grapple with the high stakes of this decision.

Also Read: The Scottsdale Road & Loop 101 Corridor Development Boom!