To City Leaders,

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Phoenix has always faced a difficult balancing act between the need for growth, and preserving our unique history. But clearly the system is broken. Over the past two decades alone, hundreds of irreplaceable historic structures have been torn down, often despite being designated on either the National Register of Historic Places, or the Phoenix Historic Property Register. Compounding the problem, the city has no requirements to document the properties prior to demolition, or to salvage the or preserve any vestige of the historic structures.

There has to be a better way to honor our history, while also respecting the rights of property owners. Rather than continue to try to save these buildings one at a time, we have gathered the following stakeholders that want to be part of the solution. The following community members, organizations and business leaders signed below stand in support of Historical Preservation Reform for the Phoenix Metro and surrounding cities. We are not saying we have the answers, rather we are committing to solve the problem together. 

What’s Gone Wrong

In the summer of 2020, two of Phoenix’s last remaining 100-plus-year-old buildings were demolished and dumped in the landfill, despite their historic designations and all efforts to save them. And currently, there is an active demolition permit requested for one of Phoenix’s most significant historic residences, a 1950-era modern masterpiece by architect Al Beadle known as White Gates, which the new owner, Yasser Elshair, plans to demolish in less than 30 days. Even if a stay is put by the Preservation Commission that will expire in 1 year and he will be free to demolish it then. 

Why does this keep happening? For one, the city and state have not dedicated funds or issued bonds for such preservation projects. Also, Arizona is also one of only 12 states that have not enacted a State Investment Tax Credit to work alongside the Federal Investment Tax Credit for income-producing renovations and increase the effectiveness and economic viability of both credits. The current laws and regulations do not incentivize property owners to maintain or restore historic structures, often leading to what preservationists refer to as demolition-by-neglect. Finally, the process to demolish these structures that are over 50 years old is overly simplified and provide many loopholes to skirt the few protections that are in place.

What’s At Stake

Phoenix might be a relatively young city, but we are fortunate to be home to one of the finest, most diverse collection of post-war architecture in the nation. From internationally recognized works by Frank Lloyd Wright to architecturally significant buildings by Al Beadle and countless others, Phoenix is only matched by Palm Springs, CA for its landmark collection of mid-century modern designs. But even those renowned works have been threatened, including a home built for Frank Lloyd Wright’s son that was only saved (temporarily) from demolition by a years-long effort by local preservationists.

What We’re Proposing

Bring Arizona up to the historic preservation standards of the rest of nation by …

1. Providing a comprehensive plan to document and preserve the iconic buildings from globally beloved architects through proactive historic designation process. 

2. Reevaluating the demolition process for all buildings over the age of 50 years.

3. Increasing the demolition-review periods and also the fines for violations.

4. Implementing demolition-by-neglect ordinances and make demolition applications come with required re-hearing every year in the event they’re denied.

5. Immediately begin hosting the LiDAR scans on the city website as a virtual archive for public access/research. 

6. Immediately implement a historical overlay on the White Gates project and other known projects. 

Additional suggestions include …

1. Integrating salvaging materials into the demolition permit, reusing those materials, and mandating a building plan with a property owner if they were to demolish and rebuild.

2. Requiring property owners to make 3D scans of the structure and drone footage to extensively document its existence as a condition to approve a demolition permit.

Our young city is too special not to care for our history, our buildings and the incredible contributions these structures and homes add to its color. A more thoughtful unique approach needs to be applied to these buildings and we are asking for your partnership, along with many others, to find something that works for everyone. 

On behalf of all of the below-signed thought leaders, business leaders, captains of industry, board chairs, preservationists, and private property owners, we as a community are strongly urging you to take action.  Place-making through historic preservation matters, it’s part of the fabric of why we live here, and why we do business here.  We are ready to take a seat at your table and chart out a solution that is not only a point of pride, but one that will deliver tremendous value to our city on the global stage.

Thank You, 
Lauren Bailey
CEO & Co-Founder, Upward Projects
& the undersigned supported