Title
Retroactive Approval to Apply for an Arizona State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government Pass-Through Grant for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 - Federal Funding (Ordinance S-53238) - District 6
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Certified Local Government (CLG) Pass-Through Grant to help fund a Condition Assessment and Stabilization/Preservation Recommendation Plan for the Murphy Bridle Path. Further request the City Council to grant an exception pursuant to Phoenix City Code Section 42-20 to authorize indemnification and assumption of liability provisions that otherwise would be prohibited by Phoenix City Code section 42-18. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item if awarded.
Applications were originally due to the State by October 17, 2025, but with funds remaining, they accepted applications as late as June 30, 2026.
Report
Summary
The SHPO administers the CLG Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through grant program. Each federal fiscal year, projects are funded from 10 percent of the SHPO’s Federal Historic Preservation Fund allocation. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for specific historic preservation planning activities related to CLG program responsibilities and community priorities. The City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office, as a CLG, is eligible to apply for this funding.
The City intends to submit for one $20,000 grant to assist with the funding required to hire a consultant to study the existing conditions of the Murphy Bridle Path, a component of the North Central Avenue Streetscape Historic District, and make recommendations regarding improvements to ensure its long-term stability for continued active use.
The grant requires a minimum match of 40 percent. The estimated cost of the study would total $195,000, with the City providing a 90 percent match.
Financial Impact
If awarded the CLG Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grant, the City’s cost match in the amount of $175,000 is available in the budgets of the Historic Preservation Office, the Street Transportation and Parks and Recreation departments.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on August 17, 2026, by a 7-0 vote.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Planning and Development Department.