Commission approves 'Flagstaff stories in motion' concept for Milton Rail Bridge underpass

The Beautification and Public Art Commission on Aug. 11 approved a concept called "Flagstaff stories in motion" for artwork and aesthetic treatments on the Milton Rail Bridge underpass. The commission approved the concept only; final selections of photographs, form-liner patterns for concrete, panel images and lighting details will be returned to the commission for review. Landscape architect Laura, who said she is the Downtown Mile project's landscape architect with WSP, presented the combined concept after prior work sessions. She said the idea blends imagery that evokes motion — trains, migrating birds and runners — with local stories, using perforated stainless-steel panels supplied by a vendor the team has consulted with. "We put it into two concepts. One is sound and motion, and the other was stories of Flagstaff," Laura said. "We combined them to create the concept title Flagstaff stories in motion." Commissioners discussed image selection, panel layout and lighting. A commissioner warned the commission to "be extremely careful with cycling imagery," noting that bicycle equipment pictured in photos can age quickly and appear outdated; Laura responded that the project team would prioritize authentic Flagstaff imagery and consider categories with multiple candidate images. Commissioner Rulon suggested using local photographers and recommended poetry or short verses for panels that are too small for imagery. The project team described technical constraints: BNSF railroad rules prevent attachments to the bridge abutments, so the design will use freestanding panels and form liners for the abutments. Panel units the vendor describes are approximately 40 inches wide by 10 feet tall; the team said they would determine how many panels are needed per image to inform cost and fabrication. Lighting will be downlighting in an amber tone to remain consistent with the city's dark-sky ordinance and lighting standards; engineers and the vendor are working on details. A motion to approve the concept passed by voice vote with no recorded objections. The commission and staff agreed the concept approval did not authorize specific images, form liners or lighting fixtures; those items will be refined and returned for commission feedback. The approval advances the downtown Mile project's aesthetic phase while preserving review of detailed fabrication and image selection.