With the help of the AZ House of Representatives, the Globe City Council is making strategic moves in the battle against negligent building owners in Globe’s Historic District. At the Feb. 11 meeting, council members agreed to sign a letter of support for House Bill 2705; Vacant; Abandoned Buildings. The bill would allow the city to charge a fee to place buildings on a registration list of vacant buildings. Building owners would be required to carry insurance and be available for building inspections. Escalating fees for non-compliance would eventually apply, and if passed for the first time the City of Globe would have the power to identify current building owners and fight code violations that restrict development in Globe.

The letter, addressed to Speaker of the House Russell Bowers, reiterates the ongoing issues the City of Globe has had with “poorly secured empty buildings”.  “Recently, our neighbor, the Town of Miami lost many historic buildings in a single fire. Globe has lost several buildings in our Historic District due to fires. Having the ability to contact owners and make inspections of the buildings would save more buildings in our Historic Districts,” the letter makes statements regarding the missing tools needed to protect business owners in a city that is struggling to build back and develop economic opportunities. “Issues that have been ongoing are, improper storage of flammable materials, unauthorized construction, poor wiring and vermin, all being compounded by vagrants trespassing in these buildings.”

The letter also states that the City of Globe is currently working with the State Historic Preservation Office to update documents needed for the revitalization of Globe’s Historic District. “Having HB 2705 and the soon to be adopted standards, the City will be able to better serve the owners with remodeling efforts and neighboring buildings will not have the abandoned appearance.”

Mayor Al Gameros visited the capital on Thursday, Feb. 13 to speak on behalf of the HB 2705 and the impact it will make on Globe. According to Gameros, the bill passed through the House of Representatives to move through to the next level with a vote of 8 to 3.

“We are attempting to get this bill through as a coalition of the rural communities mainly along the Copper Corridor,” said Gameros. “We have invested heavily in economic development, but are still paralyzed by segments in our historic downtown area with abandoned buildings. This bill will give us the tools to enforce violations in a timely manner and hold owners accountable.”

For Mayor Gameros, who served many years as Globe’s Fire Chief, it’s hard not to look at the potential dangers of these vacant buildings from a fire service standpoint. “Some of these buildings not only create a public safety issue for our business community and the public, but also for our firefighters that have to enter these buildings in the case of a fire,” said Gameros. “In 2005, we had a large downtown fire in a four story historic building called the Pioneer Motel. This building was deteriorating and had created some public safety concerns prior to burning. It sat next to a one story historic 100 year old theatre that did not have a chance of saving due to the debri that was falling during the fire. We ended up losing two buildings that night.”

According to Gameros losing a historic building to fire can cause a devastating effect on this communities economy. House Bill 2705 does not target the owners that are keeping up with their buildings but those who allow them just to sit and deteriorate.

“We want to work with any owner to help make their building a viable part of our wonderful communities,” said Gameros.  “We are truly dedicated and passionate to making Globe-Miami the destination where people want to live or just visit and enjoy the rich history and culture of our communities.”