Prescott council seeks direction to hire consultant, form steering committee for Frontier Days fairgrounds

Prescott — City Manager Dalen Kimble told the Prescott City Council on Jan. 28 that the city must take responsibility for maintenance and long-term planning at the Prescott Frontier Days fairgrounds and asked the council for direction to hire a consultant and create a steering committee to develop a shared vision for the site.

"My assessment at this point is the city has not done a good enough job of maintaining and managing this property," City Manager Dalen Kimble said, urging a reset of planning and management for the 34-acre site that hosts the annual rodeo and other community uses.

The council discussion matters for two immediate reasons: the site requires extensive infrastructure repair and upgrades, and State Treasurer-held funds of $15.3 million are currently available pending state action. Kimble said the city faces "at least $10,000,000 in water, sewer, power infrastructure, underground" work and other needs including restrooms, grandstands and HVAC. He recommended a consultant-led planning process, a steering committee representing rodeo users, neighbors and other stakeholders, and possible lease or zoning adjustments to align future uses with the plan.

Kimble framed the work as part repair of deferred maintenance and part community planning to reduce neighborhood impacts…