The downtown revitalization project may be the perfect microcosm in a study of outgoing City Manager Dave Wilcox’s role in Flagstaff city politics.

Heritage Square, once a vacant parcel of land destined to be a parking lot, has become a vibrant economic beacon in the heart of downtown area, with tourists and shoppers spending their hard-earned cash in shops, galleries and restaurants.

Absent from downtown’s city streets is the common urban detritus — broken glass, discarded trash and used gum.

But the roar of a passing fire engine, carrying three firefighters, instead of four, is a reminder of Wilcox’s iron fist in budget matters.

Over the last 14 years as city manager, Wilcox has served seven city councils and two mayors and lasted nearly three times as long as the typical city manager.

But along the way, he has become a polarizing figure, publicly praised by friends and colleagues and privately criticized by some segments of the community, who believe Wilcox has micromanaged the city’s budget and ignored the current city council’s priorities.

“Anything you like about Flagstaff that has happened in the last 14 years, Wilcox has his fingerprints on it,” says former Mayor Chris Bavasi. “On the other hand, anything you don’t like about Flagstaff, also has Wilcox’s fingerprints on it.”

azdailysun.com