A nonprofit and preservationists are trying to buy a closed historic Route 66 Flagstaff motel, called the birthplace of the Navajo Code Talker program during World War II, and turn it into affordable housing.
The El Pueblo Motor Inn, built in 1936, is on the market for $2.75 million. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona and local historic preservationists are trying to raise $3 million to buy the property and create 19 small homes with below market price tags.
A museum for the code talkers also would be part of the redevelopment of the property east of downtown Flagstaff on the historic highway, said Phil Scandura, who is working with Habitat to preserve it and turn it into housing.
“I’ve always had a love for the El Pueblo. It a quaint old
motel with a rich history,” he said. “We are afraid if someone else buys it, they will bulldoze it.”
The group just recently started raising money.
Philip Johnston developed the motel, and in 1942 he helped create the Navajo Code Talkers program. The code talkers joined the U.S. Marines and developed an unbreakable code used in the Pacific during World War II. The motel was considered a recruitment center for code talkers.
The 500-square-foot, for-sale homes planned for the 1.5-acre motel redevelopment would cost $100,000, said Eric Wolverton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona.
Homes for sale with $1K down payment, 0% interest loan
The housing would be modeled after nonprofit’s Starter Home Program, which was used to develop 40 small homes in Flagstaff's Habitat at Timber Sky community.
The program includes $1,000 down payments, 0% interest loans and $1,000 monthly payments for buyers. If they want to sell, homeowners can only do so to Habitat, which then sells the home to another low or moderate-income buyer.
The homeowner can receive $30,000 in equity if they stay three years, and $100,000 if they stay and pay their mortgage for 10 years.
Preserving Route 66 history with a modern-day use
The El Pueblo redevelopment backers have contacted Flagstaff city officials for a partnership or financial assistance.
Sarah Langley, public affairs director with Flagstaff, said the city isn’t involved with the purchase of the motel.
“Review by the City’s Heritage Preservation program is required for all future development on the property, including a requirement for interpretive mitigation," she said.
Other efforts to redevelop the El Pueblo have included making it a boutique hotel, an idea floated before the pandemic.
Wolverton said the group’s plans for redeveloping El Pueblo include keeping the outside of the buildings intact and adding a small addition for more homes behind them.
Scandura said the redevelopment has garnered support from various historical preservation groups.
The big challenge is buying the land, said Scandura. Donations can be made on the Habitat website.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Nonprofit has new vision for historic Route 66 motel in Flagstaff
