Preservation is an important tool in improving the quality of life for residents of affordable housing communities.

May is Preservation Month, on 5/11/023 our guest will be Ashley Harder with Preserve Phoenix 7p, interviewed by host Marshall Shore (Hip Historian,). Grab a beverage and tune into this virtual free weekly happy hour. Over 150 episodes accessible on the Hip Historian Youtube channel and now a podcast on Spotify!

This panel, held at the Arizona State Historic Preservation Conference, discussed the intersection of redevelopment, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse. Leaders from the public and private sectors provided insight into strategies that meet the needs of businesses, developers, municipalities, and local populations. The conversation covered identifying buildings for adaptive reuse, working within existing building and city codes, overcoming challenges posed by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, leveraging public-private partnerships, and taking advantage of state and federal tax incentives.

The ULI Trends Day event discussed the challenges and opportunities of historical preservation and adaptive reuse in real estate development. Attendees learned about the definitions of these concepts as well as the importance of addressing the equity gap and considering non-traditional partners for future growth. The event highlighted the need to balance sustainability, differentiation, and preservation in urban revitalization.

Introducing Short Leash's "Pop Up" summer time diner! A pre-renovation lunch service at 335 W McDowell. Enjoy your favorite dog in this cool art space that is 335 for one last time before we begin our extensive renovations.

Treeo Gallery was a historic bungalow located in the heart of Phoenix's Roosevelt Row Arts District, known for hosting fundraisers for local organizations and exhibiting a diverse selection of local artists in all genres.

Listen to Ashley Harder on the Local First Podcast on her approach to hiring, leasing and creating space for local businesses. Ashley launched her small-scale adaptive reuse focused development company 10 years ago with the goal of contributing to building a more vibrant and unique environment throughout Phoenix. Check it out here →

Preserve Phoenix held its Inaugural Fundraiser at the Olympus Condominiums on January 21, 2023. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful midcentury modern community and had the opportunity to meet other preservationists and the Preserve Phoenix Board of Directors.

A holiday party at 335 Commons celebrating the incredible artwork of lifelong artist and teacher, Laurence Karasek. Hosted by Ashley Harder and Marcia Karasek, guests viewed his paintings and shared holiday cheer. The event was a success and we can't wait for more exciting collaborations and partnerships within the arts and small business communities!

A night of creative energy for Phoenix's First Friday with Artists Sebastien Millon, Bryan Mok, and TEDx Speaker Safwat Saleem. The art exhibit was accompanied by music from DJ Shane Kennedy, local craft vendors and food from famed then food truck Short Leash Hot Dogs.

A warm welcoming of community was our event, Coffee at CLIO, located inside our 1950s retail and restaurant center. The property was opened for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at its redevelopment—a closed-toe shoe experience! Members of PCA's McDowell Road Revitalization Committee, Miracle Mile Merchant's Association, and Coronado's Neighborhood Association were invited to enjoy coffee by Two Cat Coffee Truck and get an intimate look at the Miracle Mile's latest adaptive reuse project in its raw state.

Coinciding with National Historic Preservation Month, we joined forces with the Human Services Campus for their annual ThirstAid Campaign. Our participation took the form of a water bottle drive, aimed at providing essential hydration to those in need. Throughout the month, our historic bungalow served as a drop-off point. Collaborating with the campus, we hosted an open house to facilitate conversations about their mission near the Roosevelt Neighborhood. The response from the community was overwhelming, surpassing our target with a remarkable 14,400 water bottles donated. This outpouring of generosity and community involvement truly touched our hearts. To learn more about the vital work of the Human Services Campus please visit their donation page.

Harder Development unveiled their latest adaptive reuse project, Carline Center, in the historic F.Q. Story neighborhood. The event included building tours and a pop-up art exhibit titled 'Transforming Space', showcasing the works of Joe Holdren and Yuko Yabuki. Attendees were treated to refreshments and entertainment.

In August 2012, Harder Development hosted a community event to raise funds for Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona. The event featured a Two-Part Art + Mural + Silent Auction, DJ Shane Kennedy, and snacks and beverages donated by local businesses. Participating artists collaborated with children to create paintings, which were later displayed at an exhibition on First Friday in September. All silent auction proceeds were donated to the charity.

Embracing the power of social media early on, we held a naming contest for what is now known as 335 Commons. The contest aimed to find a name for the building by inviting locals to suggest a name that represented the spirit of the neighborhood. This interactive approach ignited engagement, with participants joining our Facebook page, sharing ideas, and winning prizes. A series of curated pop-up events further solidified connections, aligning neighbors and local businesses with our project.