Title
Request to Acquire Conservation Easements on Three Properties in the Evans-Churchill Area (Ordinance S-43812)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to acquire and accept conservation easements on 401 E. Roosevelt St., 501-515 E. Roosevelt St. and 909 N. 5th St. to promote adaptive reuse and maintain the history of the area, and for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
In June 2017, the Planning and Development Department received requests from two property owners to acquire conservation easements on three properties in the Evans-Churchill Area. While neither the individual properties nor the neighborhood are eligible for historic designation, staff supports the requests because they will 1) help promote the historical significance of the area, 2) support the Roosevelt Row Arts District, and 3) provide opportunities for adaptive reuse.
The first property, located at 401 E. Roosevelt St., is a bungalow constructed in 1910 and is known as the Wurth House. It is owned by Lanning's Modified Arts, LLC, and was moved from its original location at 304 E. Roosevelt St. in 2015. The owner is requesting up to $75,000 to complete the rehabilitation of the building for office uses. In exchange for the funding, the City will receive a 30-year conservation easement on the Wurth House only.
The second property is a commercial building constructed ca. 1950 located at 501-515 E. Roosevelt St. It was home to the Arizona Flower Shop and five other tenants. The third property is a bungalow located at 909 N. 5th St. and was constructed ca. 1912. Both buildings are owned by Desert Viking Roosevelt Row, LLC. They are proposed to be preserved as part of the project known as "The Blocks of Roosevelt Row." The project, which is set to be completed in early 2018, will feature local restaurants, lush communal patios, an entertainment venue, and market-style retail spaces. Desert Viking is requesting funding of up to $135,000 in exchange for a 30-year conservation easement on both buildings.
The Evans Churchill Area has been a focus of adaptive reuse and urban infill efforts while trying to maintain the existing history of the area. Approval of this item will help protect these structures during the continued transition of the area. Continuing the partnership between historic preservation efforts and economic development, the Community and Economic Development Department will assist with this effort by providing the funds for the conservation easements through the Downtown Community Reinvestment Fund.
Contract Term
If approved, this action will result in three 30-year conservation easements granted to the City from two private property owners.
Financial Impact
This action will have no impact to the General Fund. The $210,000 is available in the Community and Economic Development Capital Improvement Program budget using Downtown Community Reinvestment Funds.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item at its June 19, 2017 meeting.
Location
The three properties are located at 401 E. Roosevelt St., 501-515 E. Roosevelt St. and 909 N. 5th St. in the Evans Churchill Area of Downtown Phoenix.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Managers Paul Blue and Mario Paniagua; and the Planning and Development and Community and Economic Development departments.