Tempe council sides with developer, approves partial demolition and alteration plan for First Congregational Church site

Tempe City Council voted 6-0 to approve an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s March 12, 2025, decision and grant two certificates of appropriateness that allow removal of non‑sanctuary structures at the First Congregational Church site at 101 E. Sixth St., while preserving the church sanctuary and committing to relocate the Harry Walker House.

The vote by Mayor Corey Woods and council members Garland, Adams, Amberg, Chin and Hodge (Councilmember Keating was absent) followed staff presentations and a statement from appellant Darren Sender of Sender Associates, who represents the development team that includes Wexford. Vice Mayor Lauren Garland moved to approve the appeal; Councilmember Hodge seconded the motion.

Council and staff said the action balances historic preservation with a planned mixed‑use redevelopment. Ryan LeVake, deputy director for the Community Development Planning Division, summarized the city’s multi‑year review of the property and told council staff recommended support of the developer’s plan because the proposal preserves the sanctuary — the site’s most architecturally significant element — and includes commitments to preserve or relocate other historic features.

Darren Sender, representing Sender Associates, said the development team originally filed demolition permits in earlier years but later expanded the project site by acquiring adjacent parcels (including the Blue Fish office building and the House of Trix property). Sender told council the team is committed in its development agreement to repair the sanctuary façade after removing attached classroom and administrative additions and to transfer the sanctuary building to city ownership; the team also committed to relocate the nationally listed Harry Walker House to a city‑designated site.

At the Historic Preservation Commission hearing on March 12, commissioners voted 7‑1 to deny the two requests, citing intact mid‑20th‑century elements and the design work of architect Kemper Goodwin. Council members who supported overturning the commission emphasized that the council’s approval would preserve the sanctuary and put those preserved elements under city stewardship, while enabling a large redevelopment project on the balance of the assembled site.

Mayor Corey Woods said he respected the preservation commission’s work but concluded the denial would place only a temporary stay on demolition and would not guarantee long‑term preservation. “I will be voting to support the appeal this evening because I think that this does strike the right kind of balance of historic preservation, but also, you know, with an opportunity to potentially move forward with a new development,” Woods said during deliberations.

Councilmembers also cited precedents where a mix of demolition and preservation allowed major downtown projects while retaining key historic resources. Staff referenced past city work on comparable projects in downtown Tempe that combined new development and preservation through negotiated agreements.

No members of the public testified during the public comment portion on this item. After the 6-0 vote (Keating absent), council directed that any relocation and restoration work proceed consistent with the city’s preservation standards and the terms negotiated in the development agreement.

Why this matters: The council’s action changes the earlier outcome from the Historic Preservation Commission and enables a large, 29‑story mixed‑use proposal the applicant has described while keeping the sanctuary and moving the Walker House, a property on the national historic register. The decision will shape downtown redevelopment, the city’s approach to preservation in growth areas, and where long‑term stewardship of preserved elements will sit.

Votes and formal action Motion: Approve appeal of Historic Preservation Commission decision and grant the two certificates of appropriateness (demolition of non‑sanctuary portions; certificate for alterations/repairs to the sanctuary) Mover: Vice Mayor Lauren Garland Second: Councilmember Hodge Tally: Yes 6; No 0; Abstain 0; Absent 1 (Councilmember Keating) Outcome: approved (overturned HPC denial)

Key details and next steps - The applicant: 101 East Sixth Street LLP / Sender Associates; development team includes Wexford (Sam Gordon) and other partners named on the record. - Staff noted prior demolition filings in 2017 and 2020 and a 2020 HPC action that resulted in a six‑month stay of demolition for an earlier application. - The development agreement includes commitments to repair the sanctuary façade, relocate the Harry Walker House to a city‑designated location, and transfer ownership of the sanctuary portion to the city; timing and final relocation site remain to be resolved by staff and the developer. - The council’s action does not itself adopt development entitlements or final permits; those items and any required relocation logistics, building permits, or funding for restoration will follow through separate approvals and agreements.

Sources and authorities cited during the hearing - Tempe City Code (process for appeals to council; specific citation referenced at hearing) - Historic Preservation Commission decision (March 12, 2025; vote 7‑1) - National register listing for the Harry Walker House (noted on the record)

Proper names mentioned: First Congregational Church (location: 101 E. Sixth St.), Harry Walker House, Blue Fish building, House of Trix, Sender Associates, Wexford (Sam Gordon), Kemper Goodwin (architect)

Ending: Council members and staff said they expect follow‑up work on the restoration plan, relocation logistics for the Walker House, and any related permits or agreements to return to staff and council for review. The council scheduled no additional votes on this specific site at tonight’s meeting; related land‑use approvals and permit reviews will proceed through the city’s normal review and permitting processes.