Attachment B -Temple Beth Israel Request.pdf

1114 NW Grand Avenue – Phoenix, AZ 85007 – (602) 254-5599 – www.motleydesigngroup.com 
April 6, 2020 
Michelle Dodds 
Preservation Officer 
City of Phoenix, Planning and Development/Historic Preservation 
200 W. Washington St. 
Phoenix, AZ 85003 
RE: 
Historic Temple Beth Israel, Preservation Grant Project 2007 
Permission to Alter under Preservation and Conservation Easement 
Dear Ms. Dodds: 
I am writing on behalf of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) regarding the potential 
demolition of an addition made in 1957 and of a non-contributing house that lies within the area 
covered by the above referenced conservation easement. 
The AZJHS is in the planning stages of a major expansion project that would replace the 1957 rear 
building addition with approximately 16,000 square feet of new museum space for the “Center for 
Hope, Humanity, and Holocaust Education.”  The 1957 addition was evaluated and is not suitable for 
the envisioned museum. Further, initial studies of site planning options indicate that the house located 
to the east of the main building, fronting on Second Street, is a serious impediment to effective and 
efficient use of the site, and difficult to incorporate into the new museum plans without serious 
compromise to its function. As a result, the AZJHS would like to know whether the demolition of the 
house and 1957 addition is permissible by the City of Phoenix in light of the easement it holds. 
The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, through the Arizona State Parks Board, holds a similar 
conservation easement due to a Heritage Fund grant being awarded to the project in 2007. The 
following justification for allowing demolition of was provided to them, and they have agreed that the 
demolition of the house and addition will be permissible under their easement.  We attach a copy of 
their approval for your information. 
The Temple Beth Israel property as a whole was nominated to the National Register (NR) in 2010. As a 
religious building, to satisfy NR Criteria Consideration A, the Temple was nominated under NR Criterion 
C as an excellent local example of Mission and Romanesque Revival architecture, and representing the 
works of the noted architects Lescher, Kibbey, & Mahoney. The Period of Significance was identified as 
being 1921-1926, the span of time that includes the construction of the initial building and the first 
addition.    
Attachment B

Page 2
 
The 1957 addition falls outside of the Period of Significance, but was counted as a part of the 
contributing synagogue and classroom building because it is attached. We are of the opinion that its 
removal would not affect the integrity of the Temple nor its eligibility. The house in question is a 
Bungalow style single family dwelling constructed in the 1920s. The house was noted in the 
nomination to be a non-contributing element within the property. While old, it is not related to the 
significance of the Temple.  We likewise believe that its removal would not be detrimental to the 
integrity of the Temple.  
The City of Phoenix designated the property in 2006 as the “Temple Beth Israel / First Chinese Baptist 
Church.” (The City listing actually predates the National Register listing.) While I could not find a copy 
of the City’s staff report, I assume from the property name that the City also recognizes the Chinese 
Baptist Church period of ownership to be significant. The Chinese Baptist Church acquired the property 
in 1949, constructing the rear addition and making major alterations to the interior, in 1957. The 
interior alterations were reversed in the 2007-9 Temple rehabilitation project. The rear addition would 
have been demolished and replaced at that time, but for a budget shortfall. The addition replacement 
had received a Certificate of Appropriateness at that time (HP-97-07-7) that included demolition of the 
addition. We trust that this position will continue. 
The Bungalow House was purchased and added to the property in 1975, and is not related historically 
to either the Temple Beth Israel or the Chinese Baptist Church. For these reasons, as well as those 
provided to the SHPO, we request that demolition be allowed.  
In order to facilitate our planning for the new museum expansion, we are requesting a determination 
on the part of the City as to whether the removal of the 1957 addition, and of the 1920s era Bungalow, 
would be allowable under the Conservation Easement.  
Thank you for your consideration of this request.  
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
 
Robert Graham, AIA 
Motley Design Group. LLC 
Architects 
 
on behalf of 
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society

State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)  |  1100 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007  |  602-542-4009  |  AZStateParks.com/SHPO 
 
“Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people,  
both in our parks and through our partners.” 
Doug Ducey 
Governor 
Robert Broscheid 
Executive Director 
 
 
April 6, 2020 
 
Mr. Robert Graham, AIA 
Motley Design Group, LLC, Architects 
Phoenix, Arizona 
 
RE:  Historic Temple Beth Israel, Arizona State Parks Heritage Grant Project 640621  
         Permission to Alter under Preservation and Conservation Easement dated 6/7/07 
 
Dear Mr. Graham, 
 
We have reviewed your letter of request to remove the 1957 addition to the National 
Register-listed Temple Beth Israel, located at 122 E. Culver Street, Phoenix, Arizona; and 
the 1920s era Bungalow on the property.   
 
In consideration of the requirements of the Conservation Easement (see attachment, 
Conservation Easement, dated 6/27/07), we have completed a Finding of Effect for the 
proposed action, and submitted our recommendation to the Director of Arizona State Parks 
and Trails for approval (as Proxy for the State Parks Board).   
 
The SHPO recommendation to the Director of State Parks was a Finding of “no adverse 
effect” to the Temple Beth Israel property for the removal of the 1957 addition and the 
1920s house.  The addition has no architectural significance, and was constructed outside 
the Period of Significance (1921-1936); and the house is a non-contributor to the property 
in the National Register listing.   The Director of State Parks, Robert Broscheid, concurred 
with the SHPO finding and provided a written consent per the Conservation Easement 
stipulation (see attachment, copy of email message, dated April 3, 2020).    
 
We thank you for consulting with our office in conjunction with your planning for a 
potential future addition to the Temple Beth Israel.   
 
Best regards, 
 
Patricia Dahlen, Architect 
Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

---------- Forwarded message --------- 
From: Bob Broscheid <rbroscheid@azstateparks.gov> 
Date: Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 10:13 AM 
Subject: Re: Formal Letter Re: Temple Beth Israel 
To: Kathryn Leonard <kleonard@azstateparks.gov> 
 
 
Kathryn- 
 
I have reviewed the letter, dated April 2, 2020, from Motley Design Group 
requesting a review of the enclosed proposed action at the Temple Beth 
Israel. I understand that the Arizona Jewish Historical Society received a 
Heritage Fund grant which necessitated the execution of a conservation 
easement, and that the work they are planning would demolish some 
elements of the campus.  I also understand that the SHPO office has 
reviewed the work and believe that it would have "no adverse effect" on the 
National Register listed property.  However, Stipulation IIB of the easement 
requires written consent of the Parks Board for the changes. 
 
 
On behalf of the State Parks Board, I concur with your recommendations and 
the project as described in the above-referenced project document, and 
provide written consent to the project as required under Stipulation IIB.   
 
Bob Broscheid 
Executive Director 
Arizona State Parks and Trails