Title
Acceptance of Funds from Suns Legacy Properties LLC for Interpretive Signage (Ordinance S-48013)
Description
This is a request to accept a donation of $20,000 from Suns Legacy Properties LLC for interpretive signage related to the Hotel St. James. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
The Hotel St. James was constructed in 1929 at Madison and First Streets in downtown Phoenix and served the working class. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Attempts were made in 1990 and 1999 to designate the property on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, but the cases were withdrawn or denied due to owner opposition. Suns Legacy Properties LLC acquired the property in 2007. In 2012 they requested a demolition permit, but agreed to save the front third of the building to repurpose it. The hotel was de-listed from the National Register in 2015. In May of 2021, Suns Legacy Properties LLC sought demolition approval for the remaining portion of the building. To mitigate the loss of the building, they allowed the City to salvage the neon sign, balcony railing, a few decorative roof tiles and several bricks to be incorporated into historic interpretive signage that would tell the story of the history of the hotel and the role of working class hotels in the development of downtown Phoenix in the early 20th century.
Suns Legacy Properties LLC agreed to contribute $20,000 toward the development of the interpretive historic place exhibit and sign. Once fabricated, the historic installation and sign would be installed within the right-of-way within the Warehouse Character Area.
Financial Impact
If the funds are accepted and the Council approves a separate item for up to $30,000 of Community and Economic Development Funds, the funds will be used for the interpretive historic place exhibit and sign.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission heard this request on Aug. 16, 2021 and voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the donation.
The Economic Development and Equity Subcommittee heard this item on Sept. 28, 2021 and approved accepting the donation by a vote of 4-0.
Location
City Right-of-way within the Warehouse Character Area.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Planning and Development Department.