Blog Archives
Van Buren’s Mahoney Building Receives Restoration Grant
Pen and ink drawing of the 1912 Mahoney Administration Building, Phoenix, AZ by architect Don Ryden.
They’re a sign of change, and a much-needed face-lift funded in part by arecent $5,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The 100-year-old building’s located at the Arizona State Hospital, originally known as the Insane Asylum of Arizona, and is the last of the Hospital’s structures that predates statehood.
Spearheading the preservation and renovation efforts is Susan Girard, a former Arizona Department of Health Services Directer and legislature, who says the goal is “to create a living museum to tell the stories about the progression of mental heath care in Arizona” in a release sent by the Mahoney Building Committee in March.
Girard spoke with New Times‘ writer and Surreal Estate columnist Robrt Pela in November 2010, when the building’s future was still uncertain. Then, she had hopes of a multipurpose Mahoney Building, with a mental health museum showcasing the old (and rudimentary) medical equipment, and a gallery where mentally ill people could exhibit the work they create in art therapy programs.
While the specifics of the renovation are yet to be released, the building has been designated as an Arizona Centennial Legacy Project and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, check out the Save the Mahoney Building page and read more about the Mahoney Building’s history in [New Times’] Surreal Estate.
Downtown Voices Coalition Minutes for August 14, 2010
Meeting held at Roosevelt Commons, 825 N. 6th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Attending: Kim Kasper, Tim Sprague, Suad Mahmuljin, Louisa Stark, Matt Tomb, Elise Griffin, John Saccoman, Beatrice Moore, Susan Copeland, Steve Weiss, Carol Poore, Erick Baer, Karla Grijalva, Margaret Dietrich, Jim McPherson, Reid Butler, Kate Benjamin, Sean Sweat, Bill Blauc, Tim Eigo
9:35 AM
Introductions and approval of minutes: Motion to approve Reid Butler, Second Tim Eigo, voice vote carried unanimously.
GRAND AVENUE FESTIVAL– Kate Benjamin, chair Grand Avenue Festival
September 25, 2010-All day and evening
Events include-5 stops on Historic Tour-15th Avenue/Grand area
$10.00 ticket for tour-fundraiser for Grand Avenue Merchants Association
Open Artist Studios-Trashy Sculpture Show
Evening Fashion Show Braggs Pie Factory
Oasis Motel renovation will be part of tour-hoping to start renovation in October 2010
Request for $250.00 donation by Downtown Voices Coalition to Grand Avenue Merchant Association for Grand Avenue Festival.
- Motion to donate John Saccoman, 2nd Suad Mahmuljin, voice vote approved unanimously
- Reid Butler will match DVC donation.
VISONING CONFERENCE DOCUMENT UPDATE– Carol Poore
Initial stages developing nicely and she’ll be handing over preliminary soon
Carol discussed her dissertation on how Phoenix Community Alliance and Downtown Phoenix Partnership interact with other organizations in downtown-DVC is a player!
3 profound issues:
- Leadership changes
- With big projects done, street level activity and development needed
- Affordable and attainable housing
Erick Baer-Public funding initiatives=empty lots, Private no public funds=Grand Avenue
SAHARA/RAMADA UPDATE– Steve Weiss
City asked for continuance of rezoning for parking lot. “Done Deal” says City Mgr. David Cavazos.
10:15 am
Update Private Non-Profit Intervention Fund-Reid Butler
- Example was given for creating new organization with capital seed money ($20 mil)
- Phoenix-based organization intervenes and purchases older threatened buildings
- Save money with more than advocacy, save with money!
- Funding sources-Angles, non-profits, corporations
- Use tax credits to finance end goal-Organization stabilizes structure, sells to preservation- friendly developers-Or –Bank—gift building to non-profit.
- Version of how not to do it-Grace Court
NEW BUSINESS
Motion to Publish DVC Minutes General Monthly Meetings to DVC website
- Motion made by Suad Mahmuljin, Seconded by Tim Eigo, voice vote carries motion unanimously.
11:30 AM
MOTION TO ADJOURN
John Saccoman, seconded by Tim Eigo, voice vote carries motion unanimously.
Should We Save Downtown Phoenix’s Historic Knipe House?
The City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission will meet to discuss the fate of the city-owned and fire-damaged Leighton G. Knipe House along Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. Commission members and staff of the Historic Preservation Office and Community & Economic Development Department (who control the site) will:
- Review the report findings and recommendations of local architect Bob Graham,
- Ask for public comment, and
- Discuss the feasibility and/or appropriateness of using Historic Preservation Bond funds (and other available funding) to make the needed repairs.
Fixing the fire damage, complete with new roof, is in the $100,000 range. Much more money is required to rehabilitate the structure (which would have had to be expended anyway). Options:
- Reconstruct the fire damage,
- Weather-tight the building,
- Hold on until the economy recovers and seek an adaptive reuse partner, or
- Demolish it due to cost.
Even before the recent fire (allegedly arson), the ca. 1909 Knipe House was listed on the Phoenix Historic Neighborhood Coalition‘s Most EnDangered Dozen Historic Places List. It can be rehabilitated and brought back to life to add vitality to Phoenix’s Roosevelt Arts District. Otherwise, it’ll be another empty lot.
Interested individuals are welcome to attend the meeting or submit comments and ideas in advance. To do the latter, contact Barbara Stocklin, Historic Preservation Officer, City of Phoenix, at 602-262-7468 or barbara.stocklin@phoenix.gov
Details:
Date: September 20
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: 125 W. Washington St.
Facebook: link
Background Links:
- ” Three new ‘R’s: rezone, reuse, and revitalize — The City of Phoenix’s adaptive reuse program” (Downtown Phoenix Journal)
- “Why not all historic buildings should be saved” and “Bob Graham on why the Knipe House should be saved” (Blooming Rock)
- “The Knipe House and other Phoenix buildings are going up in smoke” (New Times)
Need Help Rehabing your Historic Home?
The city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office is now accepting applications for its Exterior Rehabilitation Assistance Program.
The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010.
Photo Credit: Nick Basteien on Flickr
The program makes monies available to private property owners to complete exterior rehabilitation, repair or restoration work on historic homes continuing to serve a residential purpose. Owners of historic homes that are either in city-designated historic districts or are individually listed on the city’s historic property register are eligible to apply. The program funds critical structural stabilization, repair and rehabilitation of historic exterior features such as roofs, exterior walls, porches and windows.
The program reimburses owners on a 50/50 matching basis for pre-approved work with grant funding between $2,000 and $10,000 per project. In exchange for receiving financial assistance, the property owner agrees to sell the city a conservation easement to protect the historic character of the property’s exteriors..
The goal of the Exterior Rehabilitation Program is to promote the preservation of historic buildings through proper rehabilitation. A successful rehabilitation is one that retains, preserves and protects as much of the original historic fabric as possible. It also preserves the original character-defining architectural elements of a particular building.
For more information or to download an application, click here or call 602-261-8699. Application packages are available at the city’s Historic Preservation Office, 200 W. Washington St., 17th floor.
