[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975292,"mediaKeyId","5853746-7e7af7e217e271c4895a82372d8fcee1","parentId",5853746,"title","City staff advance plan to shift Prescott Regional’s primary runway to reduce land buys, increase safety and lessen noise","audioSeconds",2083,"startMs",3707000,"endMs",5790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853746-7e7af7e217e271c4895a82372d8fcee1&start=3707&end=5790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853746-7e7af7e217e271c4895a82372d8fcee1/thumbnail_3707000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975292/Prescott-City/Yavapai-County/Arizona/City-staff-advance-plan-to-shift-Prescott-Regionals-primary-runway-to-reduce-land-buys-increase-safety-and-lessen-noise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975292-a58bcae3202241c6328c6db18cf1cc98/orig.mp4?Expires=1774641971&Signature=e-nHXV8bkJIVI~T-LpbHtRmeFYle~WVs8qibmlma8vdi6ViZaGIFmaaMZLrNpe61BIqKdFB8ZUtJTRIrlmeQgRCIsbWNIekWqgja61ZlLKXf6kG7PEXEUr~ZoSh7JGzHQkT2tio44d0x4m06zrBZ30PyiUPwb92K2a-wE2d470IahXtVrDswgnVwBcjmJ1~uNnOHC~5sSfa4Y6pTLHlucnaxcJpTeY~ogOEyBB3UaWZLFmsvi9~QfsiRm4Ooec~OmtC77066M4m8IEata5mkh8jgCwJACQ0dX6JcOUq63gchnz0JNeggJFIxH3VvhpdZc6ao62X8U80NNNAkJHS7EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prescott City, AZ","date","2025-09-24T09:39:59Z","article","Prescott — City and airport consultants told the City Council on Sept. 23 that shifting the primary runway at Prescott Regional Airport (Ernest A. Love Field) would improve safety, reduce the need for extensive land acquisitions and reduce noise exposure for nearby neighborhoods.

Charlie McDermott, aviation planning manager for Dibble Engineering, described a runway “shift” as moving usable pavement from one runway end to the other, not changing the runway’s alignment. He said the shift would allow the runway protection zone to sit entirely on airport property and would reduce obstructions affecting the one‑engine‑inoperative (OEI) departure surface.

McDermott summarized results of public outreach conducted in June (two open houses with 61 and 40 attendees and 27 written comment cards) and told council the shift would also generate cost savings when compared with the prior strategy of purchasing multiple parcels to protect approach/departure surfaces. Staff estimated the remaining seven of eight previously considered parcels on the south side would not be needed if the shift proceeds, saving an estimated $14,000,000 in acquisition costs; staff presented a back‑of‑envelope net savings estimate in the range of about $8,000,000 when offsetting West‑side acquisitions.

Why it matters: Consultants said the shift improves safety margins for small‑aircraft takeoffs and landings, will move some aircraft noise away from the Deepwell Ranch area and reduces the city’s exposure to high acquisition costs previously contemplated to protect OEI departure surfaces.

Technical and community context

McDermott and airport staff explained that FAA defines a runway “shift” as removing pavement from one end and providing new pavement at the opposite end; the existing pavement can be striped out of service or removed later. The primary benefits presented were: placing the runway protection zone on airport property, increasing safety margins for OEI departures, and reducing the number and cost of external land acquisitions.

The consultants presented graphics showing the OEI departure surface before and after the proposed shift and said that shifting the runway moves the departure point farther from the Deepwell Ranch community. Rick Kreider, Airport Director, and McDermott noted that updated noise contours (DNL) will be required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) once a formal project proceeds.

Project scope, costs and sequencing

- The study materials show a shift that reassigns approximately 1,160 feet of usable runway pavement from the western end to a new threshold at the eastern end (presenters and council referenced the same 1,160‑foot figure during discussion).
- The shift is intended to be executed before or as part of a larger runway extension and strengthening project; the extension/strengthening (shown on project drawings) would support larger aircraft and heavier loads and would include a parallel taxiway and end‑around taxiway for general aviation movements.
- Staff said the City already owns a parcel (the “AD parcel”) adequate to accommodate both the shift and subsequent extension; the proposal would therefore reduce or eliminate the need to buy additional south‑side parcels previously considered.
- Staff estimated the avoided south‑side acquisition cost at about $14,000,000 and provided an illustrative net savings estimate of roughly $8,000,000 after considering required west‑side buys.

Public reaction and operational concerns

Consultants said June open houses drew substantial public attendance and that most attendees expressed general support but also raised concerns about aircraft noise, flight paths, hours of operations and some flight‑school activity. McDermott said the public workshop included extensive Q&A and 27 written comment cards.

Council questions focused on whether the removed pavement needs to be physically demolished (staff said it may be striped off and retained for emergency rollouts) and whether shifting the runway removes the city’s obligation to buy property on the south side (staff said it would remove the need to buy the previously considered seven of eight parcels related to the OEI surface).

Safety and operational rationale cited by council members

Council members and staff noted two recent small‑aircraft incidents in which aircraft were forced to land near development areas, and several council members said the additional safety margins for aircraft that lose power were an important rationale for the change. Council members also emphasized that shifting the threshold would help certain small training and single‑engine aircraft “gain altitude” more quickly and thus reduce community noise impacts.

Next steps and council direction

At the study session, McDermott asked council for feedback and said staff would return a formal resolution for council consideration. He told council, “we’ll prepare a resolution, bring it back, next month for your consideration.” Council members signaled broad support for advancing the approach and asked staff to return with a resolution and the environmental analysis required for FAA and NEPA review.

Who spoke (selection)

Charlie McDermott — Aviation Planning Manager, Dibble Engineering (consultant)Rick Kreider — Airport Director, City of PrescottCouncil members including Mayor Pro Tem (name as on roll), Councilman Gamboge and Councilman Grady attended and asked technical questions; multiple airport advisory committee members were present at the meeting.

Ending note

Council directed staff to continue with the runway‑shift approach and to present a resolution and environmental documentation for formal action. If adopted, staff said the shift would both materially reduce the city’s acquisition obligations and become the first step toward the larger runway extension and strengthening program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session - September 23rd 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prescott — City and airport consultants told the City Council on Sept. 23 that shifting the primary runway at Prescott Regional Airport (Ernest A. Love Field) would improve safety, reduce the need for extensive land acquisitions and reduce noise exposure for nearby neighborhoods.","taxTitle","Prescott City, Yavapai County, Arizona","taxId",53183,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975297,"Nonprofit offers $2.5 million to convert Ken Lindley Field to FIFA-quality turf; council to review lease terms",3407,299000,3706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5853746-7e7af7e217e271c4895a82372d8fcee1&start=299&end=3706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5853746-7e7af7e217e271c4895a82372d8fcee1/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/5975297/Prescott-City/Yavapai-County/Arizona/Nonprofit-offers-25-million-to-convert-Ken-Lindley-Field-to-FIFA-quality-turf-council-to-review-lease-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975297-c0007f074e1c6b15c4fc48b69ef31358/orig.mp4?Expires=1774641971&Signature=cek1gi-XapqvDavI89WPzvK3dGmfnAuaT-6O7JfJ5cTuIw~BiQDrSjup8pObNdbv9YxiUcTellf73O3d~wDp53pan0gjSIOKpHihEfC~KO9aPcYimOfNGSxL06ZAk-dYK8HVhnFyP4Br-z~Rdipnnj-Tyv9YMB2AVIRrCVBCCkinqdcfAkPgtIL~NPNyOGXLd1DV~xWJIeRvx0q5dVWP6VCPesYi3vtvxQbhhg5UdTvZ24q2cbBx9IfQ34ELRj9TiPNQ3npybv1Wrx8cEq99jR04leHDsqu4zg5~dV0O0Apd71e2msqrtQ8CcJjERlERi-i-E-tQKUGmxEEXwoGQYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prescott — A local nonprofit told the City Council on Sept. 23 it will privately fund and build a FIFA‑quality synthetic soccer field at Ken Lindley Park if the city grants a long prepaid lease and related concessions.

Glenn Diutilo, president of OJBFC, said his organization would “contribute up to 2 and a half million for the construction of a FIFA quality synthetic soccer field” and that the group is seeking “a 25 year prepaid lease agreement.” He said the project would be “at no cost to the city and the taxpayers.”

The offer would also include resurfacing the synthetic field between years 10 and 12, and OJBFC requested priority scheduling for its programs and the right to seek the field’s playing‑surface to be named after longtime Yavapai College coach Mike Pantalone. Christy Diaz Trahan, Recreation Services Director, presented maintenance and water‑use context and answered council questions about net savings and program impacts.

Why it matters: Council members raised questions about long‑term costs, public access, environmental concerns and process requirements before any final decision. Staff advised that charter posting rules and the city’s naming policy apply; the presentation did not include final contract language and council did not vote on a lease at the study session.

OJBFC’s pitch and proposed community benefits

Diutilo said OJBFC’s donation would increase field usage “2 to 3 times” compared with natural turf and would reduce irrigation and maintenance costs. He told the council OJBFC expects a FIFA‑quality surface will attract higher‑level events and regional visitors and that the club would commit to resurfacing so the city carries “no obligation to the field for at least 20 plus years.” He said FieldTurf, the proposed supplier, quoted warranties that can run to 14 years.

The club described program benefits including scholarships, a special‑needs program, an affiliated semi‑professional team and a coaching/referee development emphasis. Diutilo said OJBFC’s current registration was in the 400s and that the group hosts tournaments and weekend play that can reach “10 to 15 games a weekend.”

City cost and operational context presented by staff

Recreation staff said Ken Lindley currently consumes a little more than 2,000,000 gallons of water annually and that the city’s gross water expense for that space is roughly $20,000 per year. Current annual maintenance and grounds costs on the field were presented as roughly $15,000, with about $35,000 in labor that staff said would be redeployed rather than eliminated. Diaz Trahan said those figures represent net savings that account for residual water use on synthetic turf and some continued site work.

Council concerns and technical questions

Council members asked about PFAS and other health or environmental risks tied to synthetic turf. Diutilo and Council discussion cited FieldTurf’s testing record and said newer systems use different infill/backing materials; Diutilo said FieldTurf offered products with no PFAS in the turf pile. Council members asked staff to supply vendor testing and warranty documentation before any contract is finalized.

Council members also asked about public events that use Ken Lindley — staff said Moonlight Movie Night and occasional school events currently use the park, and that staff would work with event producers to relocate or accommodate events if the field is converted. Councilwoman Freeworth asked whether schedule management and fee collection would be handled by OJBFC; Diutilo said the club would manage scheduling, charge city‑required fees and give the city priority use as required by any lease.

Process, policy and next steps

Council discussed the city’s charter requirement for posting long‑term leases (two publications at least a week apart) and the city naming policy; staff said those requirements would apply and that the naming request would follow the city’s naming policy and not be finalized at the study session. City staff said the item will return on the voting meeting agenda and that the council could delay action to allow additional public notice and contract review.

Key figures and clarifying details

- OJBFC offered up to $2,500,000 for construction and committed to resurfacing between years 10 and 12.
- OJBFC requested a 25‑year prepaid lease, described as roughly $100,000 per year in equivalent value.
- Ken Lindley’s current estimated annual water use: a little more than 2,000,000 gallons; city budgeted water expense for the site roughly $20,000/year.
- Current turf maintenance (city estimate): $15,000/year; associated labor ~ $35,000/year (to be redistributed).
- Field replacement cost (today’s dollars) cited by presenters: about $750,000 to $1,000,000.
- FieldTurf warranty and product lifetime remarks: presenters referenced warranties up to 14 years and committed to a resurface at years 10–12.

What was not decided

No contract or lease was approved at the Sept. 23 study session. Council did not vote; staff and council members asked for additional documentation on vendor testing for PFAS, a financial net‑savings analysis, and confirmation that the public‑notice and naming‑policy steps would be completed before final approval.

Who spoke (selection)

Glenn Diutilo — President, OJBFC; resident (presented the proposal)Christy Diaz Trahan — Recreation Services Director, City of Prescott (staff presentation and budget/maintenance numbers)Mike Pantalone — former Yavapai College soccer coach (comment/support)Rick Kreider — Airport Director (attended but not central to this item; present at meeting)

Ending note

Council members praised the donation’s potential benefits but emphasized that any long‑term lease, naming request or vendor selection must follow the city’s charter posting requirement, the municipal naming policy and standard procurement/contract review. Staff said the item will be placed on the upcoming voting agenda with requested documentation for council consideration.","OJBFC offered to donate up to $2.5 million to build a FIFA‑quality synthetic field at Ken Lindley Park and asked the city for a 25‑year prepaid lease, priority scheduling and naming rights; staff and council questioned water savings, PFAS, event impacts and process requirements and deferred action to the voting meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff advance plan to shift Prescott Regional’s primary runway to reduce land buys, increase safety and lessen noise

Nonprofit offers $2.5 million to convert Ken Lindley Field to FIFA-quality turf; council to review lease terms