Preservationists are still trying to save the Works Progress Administration building on the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Fair officials gave advocates a year to come up with the money to restore the 1938 structure.
That deadline passed last weekend, but a group of preservationists claim they have raised some money for repairs and suggest renting out the space.
Jim McPherson is heading up the effort to save the New Deal-era building. According to him, the group has commitments totaling close to $80,000 for repairs and renovations. A letter of intent from the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office suggests the department would consider using the rehabilitated building for office space.
“You’ve got the letter from the State Historic Preservation Office saying that they want to do it,” he said. “That’s the key because when you have staff there some of their time can be devoted to the management of the retail space.”
The other part of the proposed plan is to have a gift shop, exhibit and concession space. Fair officials and preservationists disagree on the scope of the necessary renovations. Spokeswoman Kristi Walsh said the plans aren’t firm enough.
“We had hoped to hear greater levels of details regarding specific commitments, terms of agreements and obligations from the financial end, the renovation side and also the future costs," said Walsh.
She said the vacant building is lost revenue for the fair because it can’t rent out or use the space.
There are no plans to demolish the structure right now.
