PHOENIX – SB1118, which includes an amendment protecting historic homes from demolition, has been steadily building support over the last several months. But the bill failed on the House floor yesterday after a robust disinformation campaign and pettiness from some elected officials.
Save Historic Arizona Co-Chairs Bob Cannon and Opal Wagner stated:
“It is easier to kill good legislation than to pass it. SB1118 met all the criteria for commonsense policy and was watered down drastically from HB2375 to appease all stakeholders. It did not prevent building. It did not prevent housing. It was a bipartisan bill aimed simply at preservation. But that wasn’t enough for those determined to see its demise due to personal grievance, special interests, and misguided policy. This is what turns so many people off to the process of getting common-sense laws passed.
“We want to thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers that came together in good faith to solve a problem. That should be what this process is all about. We will remember those who helped us and those who stood in the way.
“Despite what some might say, our community is now vulnerable to demolition; we hope that our detractors will reconsider their position over the coming months. When residents see a historic home demolished, blame a legislator who voted no. When residents complain about a lack of affordable housing, blame a legislator who voted no.
“This is a setback, but our coalition remains determined to keep fighting at the local and state levels to protect historic districts across the state. We are not going anywhere.”
Save Historic AZ wishes to thank the following officials, individuals, and organizations for their tireless work over the past year:
- Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
- Rep. Matt Gress
- Phoenix City Councilmember Betty Guardado
- Phoenix City Councilmember Laura Pastor
- Phoenix City Councilmember Debra Stark
- Sen. Lela Alston
- Sen. Carine Werner
- Rep. Cesar Aguilar
- Rep. Walter Blackman
- Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton
- Rep. Stephanie Simacek
- Rep. Betty Villegas
- Rep. Aaron Marquez
- U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton —Former Mayor of Phoenix
- Phil Gordon — Former Mayor of Phoenix
- Alex Ross — Community Member; 30-year-old Latino; LGBTQ Community Member
- Demion Clinco — CEO, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation
- Mary Crozier — President Emeritus, North Central Phoenix Homeowners
- Rene Guillen — Executive Director, League of Arizona Cities & Towns
- Ashley Harder — Community Advocate; CEO, Harder Development
- Jim McPherson — Board President, Arizona Preservation Foundation
- Duffie Westheimer — Chair, Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Commission
- Jana Lynn Granillo — Meyer Park Neighborhood Association Chair
- Felix Herrera — President, Woodland Historic District
- Jorge Picos — President, Villa Verde Historic District
- Tim Smith — President, Del Norte Place Neighborhood Association
- Gayle Hartmann — President, Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association
- Sasha Robinson — President, FQ Story Preservation Association
- Robert Warnicke — President, La Hacienda Historic District
- Elle January — President, Los Olivos, Historic District
- Susan Edwards — President, Arizona Neighborhood Alliance
- Sergio Moreno — President, Oakland Historic District
- Jennifer Wadsworth — President, Fairview Place Neighborhood Association
- Bridget Barber — President, Armory Park Neighborhood Association
- John David Burr — Board Member, Armory Park Neighborhood Association
- Erin Lindsey — President, Preserve Phoenix
- Julia Taggart — President, Sunnyslope Historical Society
- G. G. George — President, Phoenix Historic Neighborhoods Coalition
- Neighborhoods Coalition of Greater Phoenix
And many more!
Save Historic AZ 