City weighs purchase of Orpheum; council asks for appraisal and condition assessment ahead of possible bond ballot

Flagstaff city staff told the Heritage Preservation Commission that City Council instructed staff to explore options after a recent owner request to consider selling the Orpheum theater to the city.

Council asked staff to obtain a formal appraisal of value and a condition assessment to determine the cost and feasibility of purchase and rehabilitation. Staff said those assessments are underway; the city’s real estate manager is soliciting proposals for the work. Council directed staff to pursue analysis that would allow Council to evaluate a potential bond measure; staff said it is too late to place a ballot question on the November 2025 ballot, so any public funding through a municipal bond would likely appear in November 2026 if Council pursues that route.

Council discussed packaging the Orpheum rehabilitation with other cultural investments—staff cited the Indigenous Community Cultural Center rehabilitation as a possible joint item—and exploring governance models, such as a city‑run venue, a third‑party nonprofit or a public–private partnership. Staff emphasized these are early discussions and that significant financial, operational and governance decisions remain.

Meeting participants said the property owner indicated willingness to hold the property while the city studies options, but did not indicate an indefinite hold; staff and council will continue to investigate and report back to Council and to preservation stakeholders as the appraisal and condition assessment progress.