Council opens path to explore city role in preserving Orpheum Theatre; staff to appraise building and study acquisition models

Flagstaff City Council at its June 24 work session heard hours of testimony and a staff briefing about options for preserving the Orpheum Theatre as a community asset. The owners, operators and numerous community speakers urged the city to help keep the downtown venue locally owned and available as performance and event space.

Deputy City Manager Joanne Keene introduced the staff briefing and turned the presentation over to Lauren Clementino, the city’s historic preservation officer, and Dave McIntyre, community investment director. Staff outlined three scenarios for the Orpheum should the current owners choose to exit: (1) city acquisition with public management through a competitive manager selection, (2) city acquisition with creation of a special district (an arts district or community facilities district) that could oversee multiple venues and eventually transition management to nonprofit partners, and (3) no city acquisition, allowing the owners to sell on the open market.

Owners Charles Smith and Chris Scully attended and addressed the council. Scully and Smith described the…