Ashley Harder understands Phoenix Council District 4

Steve Dreiseszun

Submitted photo/Steve Dreiseszun

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OPINION — Having known Ashley Harder for many years, one of the things that first connected us was a shared passion for historic preservation.

I noticed Ashley’s work when she completed an early redevelopment project in the F.Q. Story Historic Neighborhood. What impressed me was the way she approached adaptive reuse: respecting the character of an existing building while  giving it a new purpose.

That may sound simple, but anyone who has spent time working in historic preservation knows it is not. Phoenix is growing rapidly and the challenge is not choosing between growth and preservation. It's finding ways to accommodate change while protecting the neighborhoods, buildings and character that make our city unique.

Over the years, I’ve watched Ashley bring that same approach to projects throughout Phoenix. She understands that redevelopment does not have to  erase what came before. Done thoughtfully, it can strengthen neighborhoods, support small businesses and breathe new life into places that might otherwise be lost.

As past president of the F.Q. Story Preservation Association and a long-time resident, I know that historic preservation is not a singular issue. The concerns of residential and commercial historic preservation are different. Phoenix’s historic neighborhoods are at the foundation of its downtown resurgence with continuity and character that other cities envy. Ashley understands this well.

As a former vice-chair and steering committee member of the Downtown Voices Coalition, I’m very familiar with central city’s challenges including housing, sustainability, transportation, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization. These complex issues require thoughtful leaders willing to listen and work collaboratively toward practical solutions.

That is the Ashley Harder I have come to know.

I’ve seen her commitment to historic preservation and responsible redevelopment firsthand. That experience and perspective are essential on the Phoenix City Council that will shape the future of District 4.

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