(Photo by Phil Latzman - KJZZ)

The Beth Hebrew synagogue at 333 E. Portland Street was built in 1955 and housed Phoenix's first Orthodox Jewish congregation.

Preservation of the historic Beth Hebrew Synagogue near downtown Phoenix took another step forward Wednesday night.

The City Council approved a Historic Preservation Warehouse Threatened Building grant of up to $280,000. That’s intended to help the building’s rehabilitation, which is estimated to cost around $400,000.

Michael Levine, a Phoenix-based historic preservation developer, is leading the effort and joined The Show to talk about it.

MORE: Phoenix Developer Saves Historic Beth Hebrew Synagogue From Wrecking Ball