Title
Exterior Rehabilitation Grant Application for Dr. James C. Norton House, 2700 N. 15th Ave. (Ordinance S-44814)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allocate up to $70,000 in Historic Preservation Exterior Rehabilitation grant funds for repairs to the Dr. James C. Norton House, located at 2700 N. 15th Ave. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Constructed in 1912, the Norton House is a large, Mission Revival-style residence located at the northwest corner of 15th and Virginia avenues. It was built for Dr. James Collier Norton, an Iowan who moved to Arizona for health reasons and served as territorial veterinarian from 1893 to 1912. When he resigned from this position, he established the Norton Dairy on a quarter section of land extending from present-day Encanto Boulevard to Thomas Road, between 15th and 19th avenues. The spacious house was built shortly afterward and was used as his residence and offices. Eventually, the dairy land was sold and subdivided, with most of the land becoming part of the Encanto Park and Golf Course. In 1935, the Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department converted the house to an office and continues to occupy the building today.
The Norton House is significant for its Mission Revival-style architecture as well as its association with Dr. Norton. Along with the Dorris House (now Encanto Community Church) at 2710 N. 7th Ave., the Norton House is significant as one of the few large houses remaining that were once attached to large estates. The Norton House was individually listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register in April 1989. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in November 2017 as part of a boundary expansion for the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District initiated by the Encanto Citizens Association.
Financial Impact
On May 7, 2018, the Historic Preservation Office received a grant request from the City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department. The request is based on a building condition assessment completed in 2007 by Swan Architects, Inc. The report identifies exterior rehabilitation work needed to restore original wood windows and screens, as well as additional exterior wood elements including fascia, soffits/lattice, brackets, and trim.
The City is committed to preserving the Norton House and has identified $70,000 in Parks and Preserves Initiative funds in FY18/19 to match the $70,000 being requested from the Exterior Rehabilitation grant. The intent is to utilize the $140,000 in funding to restore the original double-hung and casement wood windows. Although Exterior Rehabilitation grant projects are generally approved in an annual grant round and there is a $10,000 limit, staff is supporting the remaining Exterior Rehabilitation funds for rehabilitation of the most critical needs for the Norton House identified back in 2007. Additionally, in partnership with Swan Architects, Parks will identify any wood elements that can be restored by Parks staff, such as repairs to the fascia and lattice. The Parks & Recreation Department will also seek additional grant funds to complete the remaining rehabilitation work identified in the attached assessment.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed this item on May 21, 2018, and recommended approval by a vote of 7-0.
This item was recommended for approval at the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee at the June 6, 2018, meeting by a vote of 4-0.
Location
2700 N. 15th Ave.
Council District: 4
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.