Man who owned historic home 51 years keeps it after ASU drops takeover bid
Arizona State University has officially dropped its eminent domain lawsuit against a historic 124-year-old home in downtown Phoenix. The decision follows intense public pressure and a grassroots campaign led by the property owner, John Young, to save the structure from demolition.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between institutional expansion and historic preservation, demonstrating the power of community activism in challenging eminent domain actions.
Arizona State University has dropped an eminent domain lawsuit that sought to take a 124-year-old historic home in downtown Phoenix. Widespread public opposition led university officials to let the property remain intact. The Arizona Board of Regents, acting for Arizona State University, filed court papers seeking immediate possession of the historic Louis Emerson House for a planned medical campus headquarters. However, the university announced in July 2026 that it would dismiss the case and stop trying to acquire the land. The property is owned by John Young, who has held the title to the parcel for 51 years. Long-time tenant Barry Schwartz has lived in the home for eight years. Both men started a public campaign to protect the house from demolition. Their efforts generated thousands of online signatures and led to grassroots preservation events. "They saw the light," Young told the Phoenix New Times after the decision.
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