Description: Historic designation proceedings need to be streamlined with a maximum of 180 days for completing the process. Ordinances need to be strengthened and strictly enforced to discourage illegal demolition of historic structures. Adaptive reuse has added a strong component to our resource base and value recognition. There’s the potential to partner with ASU to become a stronger voice for teacher and community education.
Top Three Challenges
- Education
- Designation
- Demolition
Possible Solutions
- Re-inhabit buildings with stories of our history
- Better coordination with City of Phoenix and other groups
- Story telling workshops, being a vehicle for recording and codifying the history of downtown, fun and educational
- Partnership with ASU (various programs)
- Develop interpretive signage
- Not being exclusive to a specific geographic area to be advocate/ally with emerging groups and neighborhoods
- Create/conduct data research for potential designation sites and neighborhoods
- Alternative revenue streams to assist Historic Preservation Office staff in getting work done
- Become advocates for political candidates who support historic preservation
- Create a “legacy” project for sites
- Assist with streamlining adaptive reuse for larger buildings
- Community benefit agreements be put in place with development team, City of Phoenix, and community immediately adjacent to site
- Recognize good works and play them up (vocal support)
- Utilize social and career network (with or in?) coordination efforts
- Use the 2012 Arizona Centennial as a platform for advocacy and individual celebration
- Broaden the story (streetscape, site amenities, open space)
- Adaptable to and from other communities
- Create a “primer” on why it is important, and pros and cons of doing designation
Go to Locally-Owned Businesses >>
Review 2004 Historic Preservation background information
Review 2004 Historic Preservation challenges and solutions (including 2010 analysis of progress)
Downtown Voices Coalition 