Title
Exterior Rehabilitation Grant for Walton Arms (Ordinance S-45456)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into necessary agreements and conveyances with Prairie School Apartments II, LLC, related to a Historic Preservation Exterior Rehabilitation grant of up to $48,978 for Walton Arms located at 402 W. Roosevelt St. in the Roosevelt Historic District. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Walton Arms apartment was constructed in 1922. The two-story, stuccoed brick structure was originally a four-unit apartment building. Walton Arms is classified as a contributing property to the Roosevelt Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and the Phoenix Historic Property Register in 1986. Walton Arms is significant for its architecture and is one of the few apartment buildings of this era remaining in Phoenix.
In 1981 the 5,894-square foot building was renovated and expanded an additional 1,856 square feet at the rear. Following the renovation, the building was used as office space until 2015. It has been vacant for four years with interior demolition completed in 2015.
The current owner, Prairie School Apartments II LLC, acquired the property in December 2018. The owner’s representative, Chip Halquist, has indicated that the building will be converted back to its original use as an apartment building. He has also indicated that he intends to pursue state and federal tax incentives for rehabilitating the historic building. Mr. Halquist has owned and lived in the building next door at 412 W. Roosevelt St. since the early 1990s.
Financial Impact
The amount requested for the Exterior Rehabilitation grant is $48,978, which will be matched by the property owner with additional investment for ineligible work items, such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, interior or site work. The City will disburse the funds on a reimbursement basis, as the eligible work items are completed. In exchange for the grant funds, the City will receive a 20-year conservation easement on the property. The conservation easement will require the property be preserved and insured it will be maintained in good repair. Funding is available in the Historic Preservation Capital Improvement Program budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on Feb. 11, 2019, by a vote of 6-0.
This item was recommended for INSERT DECISION at the Planning and Economic Development Subcommittee meeting on March 13, 2019, by a vote of 4-0.
Location
402 W. Roosevelt St.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.