Designers show two public‑art directions for Milton Underpass; BPAC asks for refinements

Designers presented two concept directions and material options for the Milton Underpass on May 12 to the Beautification and Public Arts Commission as part of the Downtown Mile project, and commissioners urged refinements after community feedback from a focus group and a city survey.

The discussion matters because the Milton Underpass functions as a gateway into Flagstaff’s historic downtown and will be a highly visible “canvas” for travelers and pedestrians; design choices will affect maintenance, weather performance and how the city’s story is told.

Laura, a landscape architect with Wheat Design Group / J2 who led the presentation, said the project team distilled community input into two themes: an abstract “sound and motion” approach and a more literal “stories of Flagstaff” approach. “We put it together as a theme called sound and motion,” Laura said, adding…