The Phoenix City Council today approved the use of Historic Preservation bond funds to identify historic African-American properties citywide.

The study, funded by up to $30,000 in bond funds and a $10,000 grant through the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, will develop an overview of African-American history in Phoenix from 1868 to 1970 and identify historic properties through background research, community outreach, oral histories, field reviews and photographs.

"This study will help broaden our designation program to include under-represented properties such as ethnic heritage sites that are a vital part of our city's diverse cultural history," said Barbara Stocklin, historic preservation officer.

The African-American survey will be completed by Athenaeum Public History Group, a consultant selected through a request for qualifications process.

This is the first in a series of four ethnic heritage property surveys. Following the African- American heritage survey, the city's Historic Preservation Office plans to document properties associated with Hispanic, Native-American and Asian-American heritages. In addition to the city register, properties identified through these studies will be nominated to the Arizona and national historic registers.