Threatened Historic Building and Warehouse Program

This program is available to help property owners rehabilitate threatened historic buildings and historic downtown warehouses and to return them to a viable use. Eligible buildings are either located in the downtown Warehouse Overlay District (basically bound by Seventh Street, Third Avenue, Lincoln and Madison streets) OR are located elsewhere in the city but are “severely threatened” either by their deteriorated condition or by possible demolition.

The program can pay up to 100 percent of eligible exterior rehabilitation costs provided that the owner is expending an equal or greater amount on ineligible work items (such as plumbing, electrical and mechanical work, and tenant improvements on the interiors). In exchange for funding, owners convey a conservation easement to the city. The program considers requests over $10,000 with the maximum award based on the project needs, project’s contribution to city goals and the availability of funds.

Monies are disbursed after work items are completed and approved by the Historic Preservation Office. All properties must be listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register to qualify for this program. Properties that are eligible for designation but not currently listed can be added to the Phoenix Historic Property Register at the same time that a grant application is processed.

Eligible Improvements

The program assists projects that substantially rehabilitate the exteriors of significant historic buildings. All funded projects must result in the stabilization, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or in-kind reconstruction of the building’s exterior skin. Eligible rehabilitation work items include:

  • Exterior Walls, Doors and Windows
  • Foundations
  • Roofs
  • Historic Outbuildings
  • Exterior Woodwork
  • Reversal of Previous Inappropriate Alterations
  • Masonry/Stucco Repairs
  • Reconstruction of Original Architectural Elements
  • Porches and Steps
  • Cornices and Parapets
  • Demolition of Non-Historic Additions
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements
  • Storefronts
  • Structural rehabilitation/reinforcement
  • Restoration of decorative interior historic features provided there is public access to them

Needed architectural and engineering costs can be reimbursed provided they are 10 percent or less of the total request. Expenses must relate directly to eligible work items (e.g. engineering drawings required to complete needed roof truss repairs). Applicants cannot be reimbursed for professional services they plan to provide for their own project, work done prior to an application, or construction administration costs. All services must be performed by licensed professionals.

This program does not fund landscaping, fencing, signage, site work or additions/new construction other than historic reconstruction work Painting is only eligible if related to another eligible item. The city determines the eligibility of all work items. General conditions, profit and overhead costs, and contingencies that are not in-line with going industry rates will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Application Procedures

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. All applicants are required to meet with Phoenix Historic Preservation Office staff prior to submitting an application. All applicants are required to submit:

  • A completed city application form (available from Historic Preservation Office),
  • A detailed scope of work and budget, including bids and time frames for all proposed work items,
  • Evidence of applicant’s financial sufficiency and funding sources to complete project,
  • Architectural plans or elevations, as needed, to depict rehabilitation work,
  • Additional engineering, architectural and other studies as needed to demonstrate project needs,
  • Information on how the project fits into a larger rehabilitation plan for the property, and
  • Photos showing overall views of the property and detail views where work is to be performed

All complete applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The city evaluates applications and forwards recommendations to the Historic Preservation Commission. The city is solely responsible for determining if applications are complete and if historic preservation requirements are met. The City Council provides final approval for all applications.

Historic Design Guidelines

The project must meet the city’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, Preservation Philosophy and the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” to be considered. These guidelines encourage improvements that retain the original character of a historic building and that extend the life of historic building materials, features and finishes. Where preservation of historic building materials is not reasonable or cost effective, “in-kind” replacement may be acceptable.

Project Selection Criteria

Funding priority is given to projects which:

  • Undertake critically needed stabilization, preservation, restoration or reconstruction work;
  • Implement a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy to return a historic building to a viable use;
  • Activate a historic building (i.e. uses with human activity and which provide public access);
  • Provide maximum leverage of city funds through the use of private funds or other monies;
  • Contribute to community values, economic development goals and where applicable to city downtown vision.

Additional Funding Conditions

Please note that the following additional funding conditions apply.

  1. The applicant must provide evidence that sufficient funds are available to complete the project at the time of project application, including financial commitments from investors and lending institutions, and a description of the proposed financing. The applicant must notify the city if funding circumstances change after application for the demonstration funds is made.
  2. The applicant must agree to execute required legal agreements, including a program agreement and conservation easement, with the city as a condition of funding. Also, prior to entering into a program agreement, the city requires all lien holders on the property to sign consent agreements.
  3. The city only will accept applications which propose funding for “future” work items. No retroactive funding will be considered for work commenced prior to making application with the city.
  4. The applicant must agree to execute a conservation easement as specified below based on the following levels of city participation: $50,000 or less, 20 years; $50,001 to $100,000, 25 years; $100,001 to $400,000, 30 years; $400,001 and above, 40 years.
  5. The applicant must sign all required agreements with the city within six months after receiving City Council approval for a project and initiate work within six months after executing agreements or risk losing the funding.
  6. Owners are required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of No Effect from the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office prior to finalizing legal agreements. If required, city building permits also will be needed prior to initiating work.
  7. No construction activity on work items approved for funding may occur until City Council approval is obtained and all required city agreements are fully executed.
  8. Properties must be listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register prior to city reimbursement of funding for any construction work items.
  9. The city only will provide funding for completed project work. To receive payment, the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office first will certify that the work was completed as agreed, meets historic preservation standards and the owner has expended an equal or greater amount of funding on other necessary work items not eligible for reimbursement under this program (e.g. plumbing, electrical, etc.).
  10. Applicants need to complete all approved work within at least 24 months once construction activity has started, or risk losing the funding. Applicants can request a one-time six-month extension in writing using a form provided by the city. Additional time extensions may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
  11. Projects must be part of a larger plan to rehabilitate and occupy the historic property. The city may hold back up to 10 percent of the total amount awarded until the project receives a Certificate of Occupancy from the city of Phoenix.

Application Information

To learn more about the Threatened Historic Building and Warehouse Program and obtain an application, contact the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office at 602-261-8699.

Facebook Comments