We've lost many iconic buildings in downtown Phoenix. Too many. The biggest slap in the face to the community yet, was the 1947 Stewart Motor Company building, also known as the Circles building for its' most recent use.

Though the community and city were in discussions with the Empire Group (Aspirant Development) over the fate of the building and its possible preservation, this developer chose to end these discussions by razing a large part of the building back in April. Even Mayor Stanton spoke out about his anger at the developer for beginning demolition. Empire was (and is) seeking a GPLET for their project, which is property tax break incentive worth in this case $16-18 million. Some of the Phoenix Council weighed in on whether the city should withhold tax break for developers who raze historic buildings in this AZ Republic article.

The company then immediately hired Jordan & Jason Rose to jump in and try to clean up their mess and now the spin is in full swing.

Do not believe what you read about this developer giving the community everything they asked for. It isn't true. The first and most important ask was for them to not tear down this iconic building. After numerous meetings with community leaders and neighborhood organizations where we listened to Jordan Rose and the Empire design team and also provided feedback, the majority of us are still adamantly opposed to Empire Group (Aspirant Development) receiving any sort of incentive, tax break, GPLET, etc.

Please join us in signing and sharing this petition. Unscrupulous behavior that destroyed Phoenix history should NOT be rewarded. NO GPLET FOR EMPIRE - NOT NOW OR EVER.

You can also write directly to Mayor and your Council person to tell them you do not support a GPLET for this project.

And please consider signing this petition also to help us add transparency and public notice to the Phoenix demolition process moving forward so we can try to protect what little history we have left.

Thank you.

“We expect too much of new buildings, and too little of ourselves.” ― Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities