Report by Karl Eberhard, Historic Preservation Officer, Flagstaff, Arizona

The El Pueblo Motor Inn

3120 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona

RECOGNITIONS

The property itself is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a national landmark.  Most properties meet one eligibility criteria.  This property is notable because is it one the oldest remaining motels in Flagstaff, it exemplifies the motor court building type, it is an example of an architectural style not normally found in Flagstaff, and it is associated with and individual that made  significant contributions to American (an world) history.

Route 66 spans from Chicago to Los Angeles and has its own ties to American history and the history of the automobile.  As a part of a broader recognition of Route 66 heritage resources, the National Park Service has nominated certain Flagstaff Route 66 Motels as a multiple property National Historic District.  The El Pueblo Motor Inn is one of twenty-seven remaining motels that contribute to that district – a district that contained fifty motels in 1960.

BENEFITS of PRESERVATION

Were this property to be preserved, the use adapted to meet modern commercial needs, numerous incentives are available to assist this effort.

At the Federal level, besides the honor of recognition, inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places brings advertising value by inclusion itself and by the various publications at the Federal, State, and local levels.  The property will be protected from all actions of the Federal government and anyone using Federal funds.  And, grant monies from two programs (Preservation grants and Route 66 grants) are available to assist with preservation work.

Importantly, owners of properties listed in the National Register may be eligible for a 20% investment tax credit.  This credit can be combined with a straight-line depreciation period of 31.5 years for rehabilitated building.  Federal tax deductions are also available for charitable contributions of partial interests, such as conservation easements, in historically important land areas or structures.

At the State and County level, programs offer a substantial reduction in property taxes.  The property owner enters into a 15 year agreement during which the property is rehabilitated and maintained according to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.  And during this period, the modifications intended to restore or rehabilitate the property have a tax basis at 1% of full cash value rather than 25%.

At the City level, the City has (some limited) matching funds available under the Historic Facades and Signs Program.  Additionally, if it is preserved, the City, in cooperation with the State will be responsible for the nomination to the National Register.

The City would be willing to provide conceptual design services to demonstrate that the modern programmatic needs can be met and still preserve the property.  Permit processing will be expedited.  To the extent allowed and reasonable, the City will reduce the project fees for the rehabilitated buildings and will consider waiving some or all of the development requirements that are problematic as a result of rehabilitation efforts.  Finally, the existing non-conforming sign could remain if its essential historic features are preserved as it is modified for modern needs.