The April 19, 2010 Historic Preservation Commission meeting was held yesterday and what a meeting it was. On the agenda was talk of consolidating the HP office with Development Services. Not a popular idea among many and there were a number of people who voiced such concerns.

David Krietor, Deputy City Manager, and others from the City came to the meeting and listened thoughtfully as person after person voiced both their concern and disdain for the proposed merger.

Among the many speakers were Paul Barnes, GG George, Jim McPherson, Robert Melikian, Steve Dreiseszun and others. They had a common message: Do not undermine the great work HP has done by putting them under the thumb of Development Services.

There were several great statements made including:

Preserve our future by preserving our past.

History is what sells our city.

An autonomous, independent Historic Preservation Office is essential to the future of historic preservation.

Historic Preservation builds community and sustainability.

HP is the key to the past, present and future of downtown Phoenix.

The Historic Preservation office is in jeopardy with budget cuts and consolidation. It is my belief they need our voice and backing while the City investigates options. The fear and possibility is HP will be hamstringed and made impotent if combined with Development Services. Such an outcome is conceivable.

HP provides an important check and balance in the planning and use of current and future historic buildings and neighborhoods. HP provides an important barrier to development that would destroy our city’s history and once gone, it can not be brought back.

If Historic Preservation’s independence is compromised we could see developers slip in projects that neither conform or preserve our history. As we’ve all learned, it is rare to find a developer who puts history ahead of profit.

I encourage all of you who love and value our historic districts, neighborhoods, homes and building to make your voice heard. Please contact the Deputy City Manager, David Krietor, and let him know how much you value the good work of our Historic Preservation office and that you want nothing done that would weaken their role in the planning and development of our City. In fact, if you value what they do, ask the City to give them more power and influence as they re-structure some of the city departments and organizations.

David Keietor can be reached as follows:

David Keietor
Deputy City Manager
602-262-7957
david.krietor@phoenix.gov
Don’t forget to CC the Mayor and Council members while you are at it.

Thank you in advance for your interest in preserving our history and taking the time act.

Gene Urban
The Urban Connection Team
602-234-5777
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