Title
Approval of Phil Gordon Threatened Building Grant - Yaun Ah Gim Groceries - 1002 S 4th Ave.
Description
This report requests the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of a Phil Gordon Threatened Building Grant of up to $200,000 to assist with the rehabilitation of the historic Yaun Ah Gim Groceries located at 1002 S. 4th Ave.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
Located at the southwest corner of 4th Avenue and Tonto Street in the Grant Park Neighborhood, Yaun Ah Gim Groceries is a rare, Chinese-owned, commercial and multi-unit residential complex dating to the 1920s. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and is currently being listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, with City Council approval scheduled for May 1, 2024.
The buildings have been vacant for several decades and are currently in poor condition. Portions of the brick wall of the store have crumbled, and the roof of the duplex has collapsed. The fourplex also has serious issues, with gaps in the walls. A significant amount of repair will be required to bring the buildings back to productive use.
Given the state of the property, the owner, Omar Fabian, who purchased the property in September 2023, has indicated his desire to apply for an historic preservation threatened building grant.
To help gain a better understanding of the work that will be required to rehabilitate the property, the Historic Preservation (HP) Office has contracted for a building condition assessment report. This report will provide an overview of the most critical items that need to be addressed and will provide cost estimates for rehabilitation. It will also consider possible new uses for the store, duplex, and fourplex, as well as code considerations.
At this time, the HP Office has $200,000 in threatened building grant funds available that need to be encumbered prior to the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2024. Staff recommends allocating those funds to this project, even though the building condition assessment report is not finished yet. Once the report is completed, staff will develop a scope of work for the grant project that is consistent with the report recommendations and grant program guidelines. It will likely consist of foundation repairs, roof repairs and replacement, structural reinforcement, masonry repair and mortar repointing, door and window repair and replacement, and repainting.
If approved, the grant funds will be disbursed to the applicant on a reimbursement basis. The applicant will be required to provide evidence of a dollar-for-dollar match.
Financial Impact
The requested amount is $200,000. In exchange for the grant funds, the City will receive a 30-year conservation easement. The easement will require that the property be preserved and that it be insured and maintained in good repair once rehabilitation is completed.
Concurrence
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended approval of this item on March 18, 2024, by a 8-0 vote.
Location
1002 S. 4th Ave.
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.