City of Glendale Planning Department

The City of Glendale Planning Department has fully embraced the preservation goal of integrating historic preservation into all levels of planning. Even though Glendale has had growth, facilitated the construction of Arizona’s signature sports complex and dealt with major transportation upgrades to their community, they have not forgotten to plan with their past in mind. At the top of the list is the continued survey and nomination of historic properties. Through the efforts of Glendale’s Preservation Officer, Ron Short, four of Glendale’s historic districts have been developed or expanded including Catlin Court, Glendale’s first historic district (pictured). Glendale currently has 6 historic districts and 8 individual properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond survey and nomination, Catlin Court received an Arizona Heritage Fund Grant that helped rehabilitate and restore 12 contributing buildings in reinvesting over $175,000 back into the neighborhood. Another innovative project was the construction of the Myrtle Avenue Cultural Entryway that incorporated one of Glendale’s last adobe structures and the historic Morcomb Service Station. The planning department also believes in public education on the community’s history and cultural resources and has held workshops on historic preservation issues. Glendale was the host city for the 2006 Statewide Preservation Conference. The City of Glendale has operationalized the principles of what it means to be a Certified Local Government and the Glendale Planning Department has provided the key foundation on which the program is based. [Photo source: Ron Short, City of Glendale.]