Preserve Phoenix Encouraged by Constructive Dialogue with True North Development on Coronado/Matts Site
Preserve Phoenix board members met with representatives of True North Development on March 20, 2026, to discuss the future of the Coronado/Matts site located at 807 N 1st St. The meeting was productive, with both parties identifying shared priorities, including a commitment to salvage meaningful architectural elements and pursue formal historical documentation of the property. Notably, True North has worked with the family to ensure that the building’s historic sign is preserved.
A report by the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Office, dated March 18, 2026, determines that the Coronado/Matts property holds significant historic value for its documented ties to commerce, tourism, and postwar community planning in Phoenix. The property may meet one or more criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, including Criterion A for its association with broad patterns of commercial and civic development in the post-World War II era. Preserve Phoenix urges all stakeholders to treat this finding as a meaningful threshold — not a procedural footnote.
True North has indicated it possesses structural and environmental assessments of the property and has expressed willingness to share those reports. Preserve Phoenix expects to review this documentation in full and believes the Historic Preservation Commission should likewise require evidence of the building's condition before any demolition determination is made. A site tour hosted by True North, the owners of the Coronado and small group of Preserve Phoenix representatives was held on March 24, 2026 and there will be more information forthcoming on the results and findings of the tour.
Preserve Phoenix strongly affirms that demolition must be a last resort, pursued only after all feasible preservation and adaptive reuse alternatives have been fully evaluated and documented. Should demolition be formally considered, True North must demonstrate it has exhausted all other options and must strictly comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Preserve Phoenix is currently preparing a formal proposal to True North addressing salvageable materials, design considerations, and historical recording of the building — at minimum through a Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) documentation report, consistent with protocols followed for other significant Phoenix properties.
True North has also engaged the Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions to assist long-term residents of the property in securing alternative housing, and reports that a significant number of residents have already been placed with the remaining being assisted in moving to alternative housing by the end of the month.
Preserve Phoenix will continue to advocate for responsible stewardship of Phoenix's historic built environment and remains actively engaged in discussions with True North Development. Community members who wish to stay informed or share their perspective on the Coronado/Matts site are encouraged to [sign up for updates at www.preservephoenix.org / contact us at he...@preservephoenix.org].
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