Earlier this week, residents of Phoenix’s Willo neighborhood gathered to oppose a law that could destroy historic homes and allow duplexes, triplexes and townhomes to be built in their place.
The historic district, which describes itself as "one of Phoenix’s first historic suburbs planned in the 1920s," is located in the city's center between Central and Seventh avenues and McDowell and Thomas roads.
Opal Wagner is the co-chair of Save Historic AZ.
"In addition to Willo, there's the Encanto-Palmcroft neighborhood, the FQ Story neighborhood, Coronado Historic District, Fairview Place, Margarita place, Del Norte," And the list goes on, she said.
Wagner’s talking about the nearly two dozen historic Phoenix neighborhoods, potentially impacted by an Arizona law that would allow "middle housing " to be built in and around downtown. House Bill 2721, which was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2024, will allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes or townhomes to be built on all lots zoned for single-family residential use.
What that means for historic neighborhoods like the Willo, "a developer could, in fact, bulldoze a historic home and build a fourplex."
Wagner says her organization is not opposed to more housing.
"But we do want development that responsibly considers these historic neighborhoods and how best to preserve them," said Wagner.
Wagner says over the years, the Willo has supported the development of hundreds of nearby apartment units.
"So, we're hoping that we can educate our legislators a little bit more about the value of historic neighborhoods and Arizona's rich and remarkable history. And we're hoping to get an exemption passed through the Legislature for historic districts."
Save Historic AZ said in a statement Ttuesday afternoon the neighborhood is seeking an exemption from the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
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