Tempe council overturns Historic Preservation Commission, clears partial demolition of First Congregational Church site

The Tempe City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to approve an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision and allow the demolition of non‑sanctuary portions of the First Congregational Church property at 101 E. Sixth St., while keeping the sanctuary portion and pursuing relocation of the Harry Walker House. Vice Mayor Lauren Garland moved to approve the appeal; Councilmember Hodge seconded. The vote was 6-0 with Councilmember Keating absent.

Council and staff said the action preserves the church’s most distinctive element while allowing a private development team to proceed with a planned 29‑story mixed‑use project on the larger site. Ryan LeVake, deputy director for community development planning, told council the Historic Preservation Commission denied the demolition and certificate-of-appropriateness requests at its March 12, 2025 meeting by a 7‑1 vote, but that staff had negotiated a development approach intended to preserve the sanctuary and relocate the nationally…