Title
Approval of Phil Gordon Threatened Building Grant - Dr. J. Eugene and R. Thomasena Grigsby House - 1117 N. 9th Street - District 8
Description
This report requests the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of a Phil Gordon Threatened Building grant of up to $200,000 to assist with the rehabilitation of the historic Dr. J Eugene and R. Thomasena Grigsby House located at 1117 N. 9th Street.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
Located within the North Garfield Historic District, the Dr. J. Eugene and R. Thomasena Grigsby House was constructed in 1919 and acquired by the Grigsbys in the mid-1950s. In 1957, the Grigsbys infilled the front porch of the bungalow dwelling to create a "Front Porch Gallery" and in 1963 hired architect Joe B. Wong to design a rear slump block addition to serve as an art studio and archive for Dr. Grigsby, a prolific and nationally prominent artist.
The Grigsbys were both distinguished artists and civil rights leaders who received many honors and awards during their lifetimes. They were founders of the Garfield Organization, Artists of the Black Community (ABC), the Coalition of Black Organizations and Others for Artists (COBA), as well as other arts and cultural organizations and were supporters of the Phoenix Art Museum, Black Theatre Troupe, and many others. Both Dr. and Mrs. Grigsby lived out their lives residing at the property. Mrs. Grigsby passed away in 2008 at the age of 89, and Dr. Grigsby passed away in 2013 at the age of 94.
In 2004, the property was recognized as significant in the African American Historic Property Survey for its association with the Grigsbys. However, the association with the Grigsbys and the alterations they made to the property were not yet 50 years old, so the survey recommended the property be re-evaluated at a future date. Today, the association is 50 years old and the front porch enclosure has been reversed, so the property is now deemed individually eligible for its association with the Grigsbys and may be reclassified as a contributor to the North Garfield Historic District.
In April 2025, the property was sold to a development group that intended to demolish the home after a long period of deferred maintenance. Artists and preservation advocates Greg Esser and Cindy Dach, who own the home next to the subject property, purchased it directly from the development group in order to preserve and restore it.
The owners submitted a threatened building grant application on September 9, 2025 requesting $200,000 in funding (Attachment A). The owners are seeking funding assistance for the following eligible work items:
1. Selective demolition.
2. Asbestos abatement.
3. Roof repairs.
4. Window and door repair and replacement.
5. Porch rehabilitation.
6. Americans with Disability Act (ADA) improvements.
7. Historic outbuilding rehabilitation.
The cost of the entire rehabilitation project is estimated at $600,578.56.
Staff recommends allocating the use of $200,000 which is available from the 2023 General Obligation Bond Program - Historic Preservation.
If approved, the grant funds will be disbursed to the applicant on a reimbursement basis as work is completed and expenses verified.
Financial Impact
The requested amount is $200,000. In exchange for the grant funds, the City will receive a 30-year conservation easement. The easement will require the property be preserved, insured, and maintained in good repair once rehabilitation is completed.
Concurrence
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on October 20, 2025, by a 7-0 vote.
Location
1117 N. 9th Street
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.