Save the El Pueblo
El Pueblo Motel on Route 66
A community-led campaign to preserve Flagstaff history and expand workforce housing options
The historic El Pueblo Motel in Flagstaff is at risk of being lost forever. After years of unsuccessful development efforts, the owner is selling the property.
Built in 1936 along Route 66, the motel was home base for Philip Johnston, founder of the legendary US Marines Navajo Code Talkers. Now there is a chance to save this piece of history and help address Flagstaff's housing crisis at the same time.
About This Campaign
This is a citizen-led campaign organized by Phil Scandura, working alongside Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona. HFHNA is providing media and website support and is acting as the fiscal agent for this effort.
If you're looking to support Habitat's active Starter Home developments, including Timber Sky in Flagstaff or the upcoming Winslow expansion, click here.
The Vision
The proposal combines historic preservation with workforce housing. It calls for restoring the motel's historic exterior, converting the interior into housing units, and building additional stand-alone units at the rear of the property. The original office would be rebuilt as a community space and museum honoring the history of the motel and the enduring legacy of the Code Talkers.
Preliminary plans envision 18 to 20 workforce housing units, drawing inspiration from the Starter Home concept Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona developed here in Flagstaff.
Step One
Before this vision can become reality, the campaign must first raise the resources needed to pursue acquisition of the property. This is a land acquisition campaign only. Should the funds be raised and the purchase successful, planning, design, and construction would require additional funds.
Donations to this campaign are held as restricted funds by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona. If the property cannot be acquired within the campaign's timeline of two years, or if it is sold to another buyer or taken off the market, any donations made to the effort will be redirected by HFHNA's Board of Directors to other affordable housing projects in the region.
Want to Learn More?
Contact Phil Scandura with the El Pueblo Workforce Housing Project at 928-606-5240 (C)