SB1118 Lives to Fight Another Day! But We Need Your Help.

(3 minute read…please read…and thank you)

We lost yesterday, but we are not off the playing field yet.

Some Legislators accuse us of being privileged, not diverse, and elitists. When I hear these accusations thrown at us, my blood pressure goes sky high, and …as many of you know, elitist Willo was not desirable 30 plus years ago with drug houses on McDowell/7 th and the line of commuters from Grand Avenue to Central Avenue via Encanto Blvd.

Now…because we worked hard, supported the Willo Conservation Plan, and invested in our homes and community….we now should be punished!

If the legislators want Middle Housing, then open all backyards and neighborhoods, and not just Historic Districts.

What went down yesterday:
A few key supporters were absent yesterday, and after an intense lobbying effort by opponents, several legislators who had previously supported protecting Arizona’s historic neighborhoods changed their votes. Representatives Pamela Carter, Lupe Diaz, Gail Griffin, Alexander Kolodin, Michelle Peña, Cody Reim, and Justin Wilmeth all voted “No.” However, some “no’s” were strategic to give the bill a reconsideration opportunity.

The good news? We have another chance.

SB1118 will return to the House floor next week for another vote.

Now, more than ever, is the time for respectful outreach.

Let your legislator know:
SB1118 supports housing while discouraging the demolition of historic homes.

Please also take a moment to thank the legislators who stood with us, especially Rep. Matt Gress, the bill’s sponsor, Reps. Betty Villegas and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, who have worked hard to help craft a balanced bill that allows for expanded housing options while protecting irreplaceable historic homes from demolition. Gratitude and positive reinforcement matter.

This bill has united historic districts from Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Bisbee, Mesa,
Chandler, Glendale, Gilbert, and beyond. We’ve overcome obstacles before, and we’re not
done yet.

One more week. One more opportunity to get this across the finish line in the Arizona House.

Please call the following representatives and respectfully ask them to reconsider their vote and support SB1118 with a “YES” vote when it comes back before the AZ House next week:

Pamela Carter (602) 926-3153 
Lupe Diaz (602) 926-4852 
Gail Griffin (602) 926-3153 
Alexander Kolodin (602) 926-3560 
Michelle Peña (602) 926-3696 
Cody Reim (602) 926-3436 and 
Justin Wilmeth (602) 926-5044.

Thank you for lending your voice to this effort and continuing to support Arizona’s historic neighborhoods – irreplaceable treasures worth preserving, protecting and fighting for.

SaveHistoricAZ 

SB1118 #HistoricNeighborhoods #SmartGrowth #PreserveAndProtect

Side Note: Our own representative continues to vote NO against SB 1118: Sarah Liguori

Representative Aaron Marques is a YES and we thank him for his support (Willo resident)

I never thought that in the 27 years that I lived in Willo, we would have to defend our neighborhood from some of our elected officials and be ridiculed for our success as a strong community of balancing growth, community spirit, and a place we all call “Home.”

Great appreciation to Opal Wagner, SHAZ Co-Chair, for her passion and tenacity.

I apologize for the length of this post…and thank you for reading.

Dr. Robert L. Cannon, Willo President, and SHAZ Co-Chair