Title
Conservation Easement Acquisition for 922 N. 5th St. (Ordinance S-46049)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into necessary agreements and conveyances with Made, LLC, related to a Historic Preservation Conservation Easement of up to $150,000 for the property located at 922 N. 5th St. in the Evans-Churchill neighborhood. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
On July 16, 2019, the Historic Preservation Office received a request to acquire a conservation easement on the subject property, which consists of a bungalow residence constructed in 1918 and commercial additions built in 1949 and 1950. The bungalow, which fronts 5th Street, has an address of 922 N. 5th St., while the commercial additions front Roosevelt Street and have an address of 419 E. Roosevelt St. The building is now occupied by Eyelounge Gallery and Made Art Boutique. The property is not currently listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register or the National Register of Historic Places, nor has it been recommended eligible for listing, but the property is one of the few vintage properties remaining in the Evans-Churchill neighborhood.
The property owner, Made, LLC, is requesting $150,000 in Community and Economic Development funds to renovate the property. The owner is investing approximately $1,650,000 in the renovation of the building in addition to the construction of a new adjacent structure where a prior building was demolished decades ago. The intention is to reopen the infilled storefront windows on the two commercial additions and to activate the outdoor areas of the property. Eyelounge Gallery and Made Art Boutique will continue to occupy the property, with the Greenwood Brewing joining as a new tenant.
Historic Preservation and Community and Economic Development staff support the grant request as it will continue the ongoing adaptive reuse of existing buildings in the Evans-Churchill neighborhood. The partnership with Greenwood Brewing would allow a complementary use at the property that will create new jobs in addition to supporting the hundreds of artists that currently exhibit and sell work through the two existing venues.
Financial Impact
The amount requested is up to $150,000. In exchange for the funding, the City will receive a 30-year conservation easement on the property. The easement will require that the property be preserved, insured and maintained in good repair. It should be noted that because the property is not eligible for historic designation, it will not be listed on the Phoenix or National registers or held to the same design standards as listed properties. The conservation easement will simply be for long-term preservation of the building stock and demolition prevention. The grant payments will be issued on a reimbursement basis, after renovation work is completed. Funds are budgeted in the Community and Economic Development Department Capital Improvement Program budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on Aug. 19, 2019, by a vote of 7-0. This item was recommended for approval at the Land Use and Livability Subcommittee meeting on Sept. 24, 2019, by a vote of 4-0.
Location
922 N. 5th St. / 419 E. Roosevelt St.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.