Editing Flagstaff, Arizona (section)

===1970s–present===
[[File:Benches in downtown Flagstaff.jpg|thumb|upright|Benches commemorating Flagstaff's traditional labor forces in Heritage Square|alt=Benches in front of building]]

As the [[Baby boomers|baby boomer]] generation began to start their own families in the 1970s and 1980s, many moved to Flagstaff based on its small-town feel, and the population began to grow again; there were not enough jobs to support the many educated individuals moving to the city.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/08/15/modern-flagstaff/|title=Modern Flagstaff|last=Olberding|first=Susan|date=August 15, 2014|website=Arizona Capitol Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412234029/https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/08/15/modern-flagstaff/|url-status=live}}</ref> The city did not expand its infrastructure downtown despite the growing population, causing problems. Several historic buildings from the 1800s were also destroyed for construction of new ones, or leveled completely.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":262">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flagstaffhouses.com/2013/03/09/flagstaffs-heritage-square/|title=Flagstaff's Heritage Square|date=March 9, 2013|website=Flagstaff Top Producers Real Estate|language=en-US|access-date=April 8, 2020|archive-date=April 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412234027/https://www.flagstaffhouses.com/2013/03/09/flagstaffs-heritage-square/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona|Downtown Flagstaff]] became an uninviting place,<ref name=":25" /> and many businesses started to move out of the area, causing an economic and social decline.<ref name="themetown2" />{{rp|161–167}}<ref name=":25" />

During the 1990s, the city redeveloped. Store owners in downtown supported the [[List of Main Street Programs in the United States|Main Street programs]] of preservation-based revitalization,<ref name=":25" /> and in 1992, the city hired a new manager to improve the area: a different mix of shops and restaurants opened up to take advantage of the area's historical appeal.<ref name="themetown2" /> Heritage Square was built as the center of the revitalized downtown,<ref name=":262" /> the local [[Flagstaff Pulliam Airport]] began running more flights to [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], and the school district was expanded with a third high school, [[Sinagua High School]].<ref name=":25" />

On October 24, 2001, Flagstaff was recognized by the [[International Dark-Sky Association]] as the world's first "International Dark-Sky City".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flagstaffdarkskies.org/idsc.htm|title=Flagstaff is the world's first "International Dark-Sky City".|date=May 2, 2009|website=flagstaffdarkskies.org|access-date=October 8, 2009|archive-date=October 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007193156/http://flagstaffdarkskies.org/idsc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Staff Writer. "[http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/1119ideas1119dark.html Stellar ideas keep astronomy in state]." ''[[Arizona Republic]].'' November 19, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2007.</ref>