Phoenix man keeps 51-year-old home after ASU drops eminent domain case following public backlash

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. "I applaud that. You don't typically get a bulldozer turned around and just say, 'We think we've made a mistake.' That's what it amounted to."A historic structure in the path of expansionBuilt in 1902, the Louis Emerson House is listed on the Phoenix Historic Prop...