The Demonstration Project Program


The Demonstration Project Program was created to encourage the rehabilitation of significant historic buildings by providing funding assistance for historic preservation projects that best demonstrate city historic preservation goals and objectives. The program provides funding for exterior rehabilitation projects which retain historic building materials and features, reverse inappropriate alterations, reconstruct missing historic details and return a building to its historic appearance. All projects are required to meet city historic preservation guidelines, as well as the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.” City funds must be matched on a 50/50 basis with private funds. The funding assistance levels are a minimum of $10,000 with the maximum amount based on the project needs, the project’s contribution to city goals and the availability of funds. The availability of funds varies depending on the proposed scope of work.
Eligible Improvements

The program’s primary focus is to assist projects that substantially rehabilitate the exteriors of significant historic buildings. All eligible exterior work must result in the stabilization, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or in-kind reconstruction of the building’s exterior skin. Eligible exterior work includes:

  • Exterior walls
  • Roofs
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Exterior woodwork
  • Masonry/stucco repairs
  • Porches and steps
  • Cornices and parapets
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) alternations
  • Storefronts
  • Foundations
  • Historic outbuildings
  • Reversal of previous inappropriate alternations
  • Reconstruction of original architectural elements based on historic documentation or physical evidence
  • Demolitions of non-historic additions

Qualified interior work and architectural and engineering costs are eligible for funding provided these costs cumulatively amount to no more than 35 percent of the project’s total eligible costs.

Qualified Interior Work includes: work that is necessary to stabilize or structurally support the building’s historic exteriors, provided that the work does not exceed 25 percent of the project’s total eligible costs. It can include restoration of unique, character-defining historic features on the interior.

Architectural and Engineering Costs – relates directly to eligible work items and cannot exceed 10 percent of a total project request. This can include design work, structural analyses, and construction drawings and specifications. This does not include pre-agreement expenses or construction administration expenses. Owners also cannot be reimbursed for architectural or engineering services provided for his/her own project.

This program does not fund acquisitions, landscaping, fencing, site improvements or additions/new construction other than historic reconstruction work. Painting is only eligible if needed to complete an eligible item. The city Historic Preservation Office determines the eligibility of all proposed work items.

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, including a description of proposed project and how project fits into an overall rehabilitation plan for property.
  • A detailed scope of work and budget, including bids for proposed work items, and time frames for completing work.
  • Documentation on 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 needed to demonstrate that the project meets the “Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.”
  • 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 by the Historic Preservation Office. The project must meet the city’s General Design Guidelines for Historic Preservation and the “Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” to be considered. The city will evaluate and score applications using the Project Selection Criteria and forward evaluations to the Historic Preservation Commission for a recommendation. The City Council provides final approval for all applicants

The project must meet the city’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, Preservation Philosophy and the “Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties” to be considered. These guidelines encourage improvements that retain the original character of an 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.

The city’s decision to fund an application is based on the application’s quality and the extent to which the project meets city historic preservation objectives. Priority for funding is given to projects which:

  • Exemplify the city’s stated Preservation Philosophy by retaining historic building fabric, reversing inappropriate alternations, reconstructing missing details, and returning a building to its historic appearance.
  • Implement a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for a building.
  • Undertake critically needed stabilization, preservation, restoration or reconstruction work.
  • Preserve a property with a high level of historic significance in the city of Phoenix.
  • Improve the appearance of a historic neighborhood, area, streetscape, or individually significant site.
  • Further city community development goals for designated Neighborhood Initiative Arenas, Redevelopment Areas and the Phoenix Enterprise Community.
  • Provide maximum leverage of public funds through the use of private funds or other monies.

Please note that the following additional funding conditions apply:

The applicant must provide evidence that sufficient funds are available to complete the project at 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.

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.

The city only will accept applications that propose funding for “future” work items. No retroactive funding will be considered for work the applicant has commenced prior to making application with the city.

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.

The city will only provide funding on a reimbursement basis for completed components of a project. To receive payment for completed work, the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office must first certify that the work meets required historic preservation standards.

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; and $400,001 or more, 40 years.

Owners are required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness or Certificate of No Effect from Phoenix Historic Preservation Office prior to finalizing legal agreements and initiating work.

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.

Applications need to complete all approved work at least 24 months once work has started, or risk losing the funding. Applicants can request a one-time six-month extension from the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office in writing using a form provided by the city. Additional time extensions may be provided by the city on a case-by-case basis.

To learn more about the Historic Preservation Demonstration Project Program and obtain application, contact the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office at 602-261-8699.

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