Tempe staff lays out FY26–27 historic‑preservation CIP; commissioners press developer on at‑risk Gonzales Martinez house

Zack, a community development staffer working with Tempe’s Historic Preservation Office, walked the commission through a staff packet and spreadsheet that list proposed FY26–27 CIP allocations for historic properties and related projects.

The presentation enumerated project‑level requests and reappropriations: a reappropriation and new FY26–27 funding that together total $900,000 for W H Cemetery study and restoration elements; $500,000 reappropriated for Hayden Butte restoration and $450,000 reappropriated for Loma del Rio; $400,000 requested to finish the final section of the El Presidio Adobe restoration; $463,316 reappropriated for the Gonzales Martinez House (stabilization and rehabilitation); and a $750,000 carve‑out for Walker House rehabilitation from the endangered historic property acquisition fund. Zack said $246,019 remains budgeted for finishing the downtown historic core plan and that roughly $1.3 million is proposed for historical building maintenance in FY26–27.

Commissioners focused sustained attention on the Gonzales Martinez House, which several members described as actively deteriorating. Commissioners asked whether city funds would be used primarily for historic elements or for general site work, how much the developer is contractually required to contribute, and what concrete milestones are expected before the city releases more funding. Zack read a recent inspection summary prepared by Bob Graham of Motley Design Group: “We have inspected both the interior and exterior of the building. While there have evidently been some unauthorized intrusions, no noticeable new damage has occurred to historic elements and no weather events appear to have had any impact. Temporary shoring and boarding appear to be functioning as intended.” He said the developer’s consultant is completing a rehabilitation plan and staff expected the plan in a couple of weeks for city review.

Commissioners pressed for clearer written commitments from the developer and quicker stabilization work. Staff said they were willing to use city funds to start stabilization if required, but that full rehabilitation will almost certainly exceed the currently proposed city contribution; Zack gave a rough estimate that total rehabilitation costs could approach $1 million, and noted the development agreement’s financial terms for developer contributions were not specified in the meeting record.

The presentation also covered other historic resources: the Hayden Flour Mill (planning and an 18‑million allocation in the five‑year plan), ongoing restoration phases for Eisen Draught and Double Butte cemetery work, and a planned acquisition and rehabilitation pipeline for locally designated historic buildings. On site protection, staff said the city will purchase a solar lighting rig for the Gonzales Martinez parcel and that fencing and boarding remain in place to deter trespass, but commissioners urged additional deterrence and public education signage to reduce unauthorized entry.

The commission asked staff to bring the developer’s rehabilitation plan to the June agenda for review. Staff also confirmed that the proposed CIP lists and staff recommendations will go to City Council for final appropriation; the first year of the five‑year plan is the only year that receives actual funding approval, with later years remaining projections.

The commission’s discussion ended with staff committing to share the developer’s rehabilitation plan when available and to place an update on the June agenda.