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Flagstaff commission reviews interpretive trail plan as mitigation for proposed Old City Hall demolition
Summary
Consultants proposed a 10–15-stop interpretive trail, QR-linked oral histories and public input as mitigation for the proposed demolition of Old City Hall tied to a Hilton Graduate Hotel project; the Indigenous Commission asked for maps, elder engagement and community outreach before the mitigation returns to the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Caitlin Stewart of Cornerstone Environmental presented a draft interpretive trail on March 5 to the Flagstaff Indigenous Commission as mitigation tied to the proposed demolition of Old City Hall for a Hilton Graduate Hotel project. Stewart said the design would pair 10–15 walkable stops with a companion website and QR codes to host historical background, photos and curated oral histories.
"We determined, generally, based on other interpretive trails, that we wanna have 10 to 15 stops," Stewart said, adding that a trail longer than that tends to deter completion and that most people will use portions of the route rather than the whole circuit.
The presentation explained that stops might include the train depot (noting Indigenous stonemasons), Thorpe Park (rodeo and powwow camp history), the San Francisco Street parade route, murals and neighborhood sites on the South Side. Stewart said starting the trail at the Old City Hall/Hilton could simplify distribution of printed pamphlets but that the project team is open to starting points elsewhere.
Lauren Clementino, the City of Flagstaff Heritage Preservation Officer, told the commission the Phase 1 Cultural Resource Study found Old City Hall to be historically significant and that "the demolition is not approved yet." She said the Heritage Preservation Commission previously accepted the study’s findings and recommended mitigation measures be developed if demolition is proposed.
Commissioners pressed for concrete visuals and community input mechanisms. Commissioner Lance asked about geographic extent and walkability; Stewart said the goal was to keep the full trail under about 2.5 miles but allow visitors to engage with discrete segments. Multiple commissioners requested a draft map and suggested in-person outreach at upcoming powwows and community events so elders and other residents could contribute stories and points of interest.
Cornerstone outlined a public-outreach timeline: publish a community poll in the coming weeks, allow several weeks of input, produce a shortlist of about 15 stops within roughly four months, and aim to have the mitigation package prepared to present to the Heritage Preservation Commission within about six months. Stewart emphasized she wanted the Indigenous Commission’s feedback before finalizing materials for the preservation review.
Commission members also recommended collecting elders’ oral histories and testing QR-linked materials for cultural sensitivity and accuracy. Rose (city staff) volunteered to help convene elders, and commissioners offered to host tables at powwows and school events to gather broader input.
No vote or formal decision was taken on the mitigation plan at the meeting; staff and consultants will return with maps, a proposed public-poll form, and a revised outreach schedule for further commission review.
