Phoenix, Arizona’s Exterior Rehabilitation Program


Exterior Rehabilitation Program for Historic Properties in Phoenix Arizona

The next grant application deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012.

The city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office provides exterior rehabilitation assistance to help residents sensitively rehabilitate historic homes while promoting reinvestment in Phoenix’s historic neighborhoods. 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 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.

  1. Eligible Improvements
  2. Application Basics
  3. Meeting Historic Design Guidelines
  4. Project Selection
  5. Application Information
  6. Technical Historic Preservation Bulletins

Eligible Improvements

All work performed must be exterior work, which results in the repair, improvement, reconstruction, maintenance or enhancement of the facades or exterior faces of the subject property. Eligible exterior work may include:

  • Exterior wall repairs
  • Roof repairs/replacement
  • Foundation repairs
  • Masonry/stucco repairs
  • Porch and step rehabilitation
  • Cornices and parapet repairs
  • Exterior window and doors repairs
  • Exterior woodwork/trim
  • Historic outbuildings/carport rehabilitation
  • Reversal of previous inappropriate alterations
  • Reconstruction of original architectural elements based on documentation/evidence
  • Demolition of non-historic additions
  • Re-painting (only if component of an eligible repair)
  • Structural rehabilitation/reinforcement

Interior work may be eligible only if necessary to stabilize or structurally support the building’s historic exteriors.

Engineering costs (soft costs) may qualify if they are related directly to eligible work and if costs are incurred within two (2) years prior to and/or one(1) year after application date and amount to no more than 20 percent of the total funding request. This can include historic structure reports, and construction drawings and specifications.

The program does not fund new construction, additions, acquisitions, landscaping, fencing, site improvements or interior work (unless related to structural stabilization).

Application Basics

Funding is available through a competitive application process every fiscal year. Applications are available online, at the city Historic Preservation Office or by mail. Additionally, historic preservation staff can provide assistance in developing an appropriate scope of work and completing the application form. Applicants are encouraged to meet with Historic Preservation Office staff before Sept. 8, 2010. All application materials must be received by the Historic Preservation Office by 5 p.m. Oct. 6, 2010.

Meeting Historic Design Guidelines

Priority is given to projects that perform exterior rehabilitation, repair or restoration work in close accordance with the city’s General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties .

These guidelines encourage improvements that retain the original character of a residence 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

When reviewing applications, the city considers the merits of the proposed project, the quality of the application and the support the project provides to the advancement of the city’s Historic Preservation goals. Priority will be given to applications that:

Clearly demonstrate adherence to the city’s Preservation Philosophy (see Historic Preservation design guidelines handout).

Clearly addresses the most critical physical needs of the building.

Substantially improve the visual appearance of an historic neighborhood, district streetscape or an individually significant property.

Contribute to neighborhood revitalization impacts with funded work that:
* will make a non-contributing property a contributor to a historic district; or
* is in a district where fewer than 5 percent of properties have received exterior rehabilitation grants; or
* is in a district with housing values at 115 percent or less of the median value for Maricopa County.

Demonstrate proper rehabilitation techniques based on historic preservation principles (such as following the city’s technical bulletins on masonry repointing, paint removal, steel or wood window repairs, and wood shingle roof replacements).

Completely address each question on the application and include detailed bids for all proposed work items.

Encourage the investment of private funds to rehabilitate, improve, maintain, preserve, protect and enhance deteriorated historic properties.

Because of the limited funding available, potential applicants are encouraged to consult with historic preservation staff regarding the completion of the application.

Application Information

The application deadline is Oct. 6, 2010. For more information, call 602-261-8699 or 602-262-6883.

Exterior Rehabilitation Program Application
The application will need to be filled out and returned to the Historic Preservation Office by the specified date in order to participate in the program.

Exterior Rehabilitation Program Guide
A guide providing information on the history of the grant program, procedure for funding applicants, and information about completing the application.

Completed Sample Application

Application Checklist
A checklist of all the items that should be included with the application before submitting it.

Preservation Philosophy
Guiding principles on retaining, preserving, and/or replacing architectural features/elements on a historic structure.

General Design Guidelines for Historic Properties

Exterior Rehabilitation Program Agreement
A legal agreement between the city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and the property owner outlining how the work will be carried out and how the owner will be paid.

Deed of Conservation Easement
A legal agreement between the city of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and the property owner on the obligations and requirements necessary for the grant.

Consent Agreement
A legal document that must be signed and returned to the Historic Preservation Office by any lienholders before commencement of any work. The Consent Agreement provides the permission of any lien holders for the property owners to sign the Deed of Conservation Easement.

Historic Homes of Phoenix Book Order Form
An order form for Historic Homes of Phoenix: An Architectural and Preservation Guide, a 222-page illustrated book published by the city of Phoenix, which is helpful in providing information about the style of your home.

Technical Historic Preservation Bulletins

The purpose of these bulletins is to provide historic property owners with technical guidance and information on specific “how to” projects for historic buildings.

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