The Honorable Walter Blackman
Chairman, House Government Committee
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007

wblackman@azleg.gov

            Re: HB2719

Dear Chairman Blackman,

On behalf of the Willo Neighborhood Association I am writing to respectfully request the advancement of HB2719 for consideration by the Arizona House. This bill is critical to the Willo Historic District and other historic districts in Arizona cities with a population over 75,000 and advancing it would allow for discussion and deliberation on its merits. Without this bill Phoenix history could be destroyed by erasing our beloved historic districts. 

HB 2719 seeks to exempt historic districts from the “Missing Middle” housing law (A.R.S. §9-462.13), previously passed as HB2721. This law requires the construction of townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes on all single-family lots within one mile of our city’s Central Business District, effective January 1, 2026. While we understand the need for additional housing, we believe the law did not account for the many historic districts within this one-mile boundary, putting our valuable historic homes at risk of demolition. 

Such is the case with Willo. Our historic district, home to just under 1,000 residences built between the 1910’s to 1950’s is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Phoenix Historic Property Register Being within one mile of Phoenix’s Central Business District. The “Missing Middle” law would allow for the demolition of our architecturally significant and irreplaceable historic homes to make way for subdivided lots to accommodate duplexes, triplexes and even four-plexes—even though we already reside in Phoenix’s most densely populated area.

Our residents have invested countless hours and dollars in restoring these homes that are a part of the very fabric of Arizona’s history. The State of Arizona has invested millions of dollars in historic preservation through a number of programs. It would be counterproductive for these efforts to be undone by the current law, which threatens the demolition of these historic properties.

I greatly appreciate the dedication you and your committee members show in evaluating legislative proposals, and I respectfully urge you to prioritize the advancement of HB2719. I welcome the opportunity to provide additional information about Willo to further illustrate the importance of this bill. I look forward to your favorable consideration of the advancement of HB2719 from the House Government Committee for further consideration by the Arizona House of Representatives.

Respectfully,

Brad Brauer, President
Willo Neighborhood Association