Summary Sheet- HPC ITEM SUMMARY

CITY OF TEMPE
Meeting Date: 3/11/2026  
Historic Preservation Commission
Agenda Item: 7A
ACTION: Update on the Downtown Tempe Historic Core Plan. The presenters are Rick Barrett of MIG 
and Jennifer Levstik of Westland Engineering & Environmental Services.
RECOMMENDATION: Provide feedback.
 
ATTACHMENTS:    
1. HPC_ATTACH DRAFT DTHC PLAN OULINES AND GUIDELINES 31126.PDF
2. HPC_ATTACH ADDITIONAL DOWNTOWN PROPERTIES INVENTORY 31126.PDF
STAFF CONTACT(S): Zachary Lechner, Historic Preservation Officer, (480) 350-8770
Department Director: Jeff Tamulevich, Community Development Director  
Legal review by: N/A
Prepared by: Zachary Lechner, Historic Preservation Officer
OVERVIEW:  
City consultant MIG and subconsultant PMM continue to work on developing a new Downtown Historic 
Core Plan that will provide guidelines and recommendations for preserving the character of Tempe’s 
historic downtown built environment while accommodating thoughtful new development. After consulting 
with the HPC on the upcoming plan at its September 2025 and December 2025 meetings, MIG’s Rick 
Barrett and WestLand Engineering & Environmental Services’ Jennifer Levstik, who is working with 
PMM, will now present the plan area boundary, interactive survey results, existing conditions analysis, 
and an updated historic inventory. The project team will also present preliminary draft recommendations 
and draft design guidelines with visuals and will seek Commission feedback and answer questions on 
these materials. 
To further discussion during the meeting, along with these draft materials, the HPC chair requested that 
staff add a document in the meeting agenda packet that features several properties in Downtown Tempe 
that are not included in the proposed Historic Core boundary, though they are at least 50 years old or 
will reach the 50-year threshold within the next several years.