Historic mill nomination sparks redevelopment hopes in Phoenix

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the upcoming review of a draft nomination for the Hayden Flour Mill to be considered for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The review committee is set to meet this Friday in Phoenix, where they will provide feedback and potentially approve the nomination, which is crucial for the project's next steps.

The nomination process is part of a two-phase project aimed at securing federal historic rehabilitation tax credits for the mill's redevelopment. The speaker emphasized the importance of the nomination in supporting the rehabilitation efforts, noting that the property must be listed on the National Register to qualify for these tax credits.

A key aspect of the nomination is establishing a \"period of significance,\" which in this case spans from 1918 to 1966. This timeframe marks the reconstruction of the mill after a fire in 1917 and includes significant architectural developments. The nomination will argue for the mill's historical significance under two criteria: its role in Arizona's agricultural history and its architectural merit as a notable example of reinforced concrete construction.

Boundary considerations for the nomination were also a focal point of the discussion. Officials stressed the importance of defining clear and logical boundaries for the historic district to avoid complications during the review process. The proposed boundaries aim to include only contributing resources, ensuring that the nomination reflects the historical significance of the mill and its associated structures without being diluted by non-contributing elements.

The meeting concluded with a brief overview of the next steps in the application process for the federal historic rehabilitation tax credit, which involves a stringent three-part application. The first part, focusing on the building's significance, has already been approved, paving the way for the next phase, which will detail the rehabilitation plans following the anticipated approval of the National Register nomination.