Modern Phoenix
The Enigma on Rubicon

 
Earlier this week Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office, Planning Commission, and Historic Preservation Commission arrived at a long-planned private tour with 80/81 Meridian, the current owners of the David & Gladys Wright House. 80/81 Meridian did not show up to the meeting, nor did they cancel the appointment. So my friend Jim took a picture of the group in front of a locked gate instead. 

And just when you thought this tale could not get any curiouser...   

 

From the 80/81 Meridian website:
8081 Meridian will be holding a Open Property for the public this Saturday and Sunday, September 29th and 30th from 8:00 am - noon.  Although the owners have been advised not to allow attendees access to the upper levels of the home due to structural concerns*, they are confident that the public will enjoy the rare opportunity to walk the grounds and take pictures as they enjoy an up-close view of the home Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built for his son sixty years ago. The event is free and bottled water will be provided. 5212 E. Exeter Blvd., Phoenix, 85018 (property entrance is located on N. Rubicon Ave., between Exeter Blvd. and E. Camelback Rd. in Arcadia)

  

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Modern Phoenix encourages you to respectfully attend this open house -- because for all we know it may not just be your first visit, it could very well be your last. We urge you to engage in civil discourse if the opportunity presents itself and use social media to broadcast your opinion on the matter. Share lots of photos and influence others to attend the Sunday event if you go on Saturday. Please wear your Modern Phoenix button if you have one from previous events to quietly show your solidarity. Let's show 80/81 how much this home is dearly treasured with a great turnout!

 

*These structural concerns are alleged, but many of us believe they are not a serious concern.

  

"But I thought the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously recommended Landmark designation for the David Wright House," you may ask. True. 

  

You can read all about that victory here, at Blooming Rock, including transcriptions of many of the touching and thoughtful comments made by the community. But this meeting was just one step of four to complete the cycle needed to get the home into a safer place. We're not out of the oleanders yet. 

 



F I R S T
Clear your calendar for Tuesday's Camelback East Village Planning Commission meeting

  

This is a great event for East Valley residents to attend since it's not so deep into downtown, and it's especially important for Arcadia residents to rally up for. It's on Tuesday October 2 at 6 pm at the Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 East Devonshire Avenue, one block north of Indian School Road. Bring a friend! 
  

S E C O N D
Volunteer faster than Katniss Everdeen

Modern Phoenix has the infrastructure and reach to coordinate a "Wright Watch" on Rubicon Avenue if it becomes necessary after this weekend's event. To help out with drive-bys, simply reply to this mail with two words: "I volunteer!" Give your full name, preferred email and mobile phone number. That's it. We'll activate those on call if and when we need them.

 
T H I R D

Join the Facebook Group called Save the David & Gladys Wright House for updates and opinions as this issue unfolds. The group moderators will manually approve your membership before you can post.    

 

 

F O U R T H  

Personally invite the five most intelligent people you know to 

 >> SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE DAVID WRIGHT HOUSE <<
Seriously, this is how we're going to do it!
 




Thanks for all you've done! 
Alison King