Historic Phoenix neighborhood pushing back on Arizona law

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.

House Bill 2721, which was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2024, requires towns and cities with at least 75,000 residents to allow ‘middle housing’ such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes to be built in neighborhoods traditionally zoned for single-family homes. In 1990, the Willo neighborhood earned its historic designation from the city. Historic status offers certain protections, such as ensuring that any changes are compatible with the historic character of the property or district. But the new middle housing law overrides much of that.

Opal Wagner, Co-Chair of Save Historic AZ, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about how this law could impact this local community.