Title
Approval of Phil Gordon Threatened Building Grant - Roosevelt Park Grocery - 945 E. Southern Avenue - 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 $300,500 to assist with the rehabilitation of the historic Roosevelt Park Grocery located at 945 E. Southern Avenue.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
Located at the southwest corner of 10th Street and Southern Avenue, the Roosevelt Park Grocery was constructed circa 1930. The property was identified as a rare remaining example of an early twentieth-century neighborhood grocery store and is recommended individually eligible for historic designation in the City of Phoenix Historic Property Register (historic designation has been initiated).
The building sat vacant when acquired by Zebiba Hagos in 2021 who, along with sister Nuraine Hagos (added as a property owner in 2022), seek to return it to a grocery/mercantile use.
The owners submitted a threatened building grant application on March 14, 2025 requesting $150,000 in funding (Attachment A). After reviewing the application, staff recognized the eligible work items exceeded that request and determined that additional eligible work could be covered by the Phil Gordon Threatened Building Grant Funds for the current fiscal year. Subsequently, on April 10, 2025, Nuraine Hagos submitted an updated itemized budget requesting $300,500 reimbursement and the required narrative description of eligible work items with the larger scope of work utilizing the grant funds (Attachment B). The owners are seeking funding assistance for the following eligible work items:
1. Repair of masonry and adobe walls.
2. Stucco repair.
3. Exterior and interior concrete repair.
4. Window and door repair and replacement.
5. Roof repairs and reinforcement of historic roof structure.
6. ADA improvements.
7. Selective demolition.
8. Repainting.
The cost of the entire rehabilitation project is estimated at $412,895.
Staff recommends allocating the use of $300,500 in available Phil Gordon Threatened Building grant funds for this project.
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 $300,500. 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 April 21, 2025, by a 6-0 vote.
Location
945 E. Southern Avenue
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.