We did it!

Your letters resisting the demolition of Al Beadle's White Gates made a difference! Phoenix Officials heard from around the world, and one of you even published an opinion piece in the AZ Republic.

In addition to an onslaught of public support and petition signatures, eighteen area neighbors banded together and signed a group letter in favor of landmark designation for White Gates, earning the attention of their District 6 City Councilman Kevin Robinson.

According to the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office, White Gates' legal representative Benjamin Graff formally withdrew the demolition application on Monday, April 8th, in order to allow for time to conduct continued discussions about the property's future.

In short, this means the home is not in immediate danger unless another demolition permit is applied for. In that case, we'll rally you again.

Read all about the withdrawal here in The Business Journal (if you have a subscription) or here in the Architect's Paper (If you don't).

Making National News

Watch the recent segment produced by PBS News Weekend for some differing perspectives on the importance of midcentury modern preservation. We sensed White Gates was at risk, so we brought them there to record a vulnerable property in transition.

So what's next?

Since the demo application was withdrawn before the 30-day waiting period ended, the White Gates case will no longer be heard as a separate agenda item on April 15. However, citizens can come and speak about their concerns during the public comment period at the end of the 4:30 pm meeting — just like last time — and advocate for future landmark designation should another demolition permit be applied for in the future.

A second future demolition application combined with public outcry could trigger the Historic Preservation Commission to consider initiating designation. We'll keep an eye on that.

In the meantime, your efforts have bought valuable time to encourage the owner of this iconic architecture to sell to a preservationist or sensitively integrate the property in their plans.

We planned to rally you all to show up to City Council Chambers on April 15 en masse, but it appears that it's not necessary thanks to all of your hard work. If you still would like to speak, even if to just say thank you, fill out a yellow card at the beginning of the meeting.

Thank You!

Historic preservation doesn't happen only when there's a crisis. Evaluation of Phoenix's priorities is ongoing, and that focus can be shaped ... by YOU! The City of Phoenix invites its citizens to participate the Preserve Historic Phoenix 2025 Survey.

New to the issues?



READ Preservation Phoenix Style all about how we do it in the Valley

READ the Preserve Historic Phoenix 2015 Comprehensive Preservation Plan

WHITE GATES ISN'T SAFE JUST YET

Here's what you can still do.

ENCOURAGE REFORM

Sign the open letter calling for reform of Phoenix's Historic Preservation policies. If you're not a business owner, indicate that you are an "invested citizen" on the form field.

REGISTER YOUR OPINION

Email a short statement to historic@phoenix.gov:

• Ask that the HP Commissioners and HP office work with White Gates' owner, neighbors, historians and community stakeholders to come to a fruitful outcome that does not destroy our city’s architectural heritage.
• Ask them to initiate designation of a Historic Landmark if a second demolition permit is pulled.
• It helps to state your relationship to the property and any expertise you have on the topic, to lend credence and context for your perspective.
• Put “DESIGNATE WHITE GATES AS A LANDMARK!” in the email subject.
• If you live in City Council District 6 (Arcadia/Camelback/Biltmore/Upper East Central/Ahwatukee) please cc: your City Councilman Kevin Robinson at council.district.6@phoenix.gov
• If you live in the immediate area of White Gates and consider yourself to be a neighbor, please also cc: alison@modernphoenix.net

Watch ABC15 Coverage

Watch AZFamily 3TV Coverage

Follow the community conversation and watch testimonial videos from Gerri Beadle, Roger Brevoort, Alison King, and Brent Armstrong at last month's public meeting on our Instagram or watch the whole public comment portion on US Modernsist's vimeo feed.

The demo permit that broke the internet. Read the community backlash here.

Thanks so much to all of you who have already written in support over the last several weeks. We appreciate your activism!

Alison King

Founder

ModernPhoenix.net

Beadlearchive.com