Prescott council backs study to shift and extend regional airport runway to reduce safety penetrations and move noise contours

The Prescott City Council on Oct. 28 adopted resolution 2025-1948 directing staff to proceed with studies and professional services for a combined shift and extension of the primary runway at Prescott Regional Airport, a step officials said would reduce runway-splay penetrations and shift aircraft-noise contours away from existing neighborhoods.

Airport director Rick Crowder briefed the council on a multi-month public process that included two consultant-led public meetings and 27 written comments. Crowder summarized the expected benefits: reducing the one-engine-inoperative (OEI) splay penetration risk, enabling a runway protection zone to the northeast, and shifting noise contours away from Westwood, Saddlewood and other neighborhoods. Crowder said the FAA has expressed comfort with a 9,000-foot runway in preliminary communications and the city has requested consideration of about 9,500 feet.

Staff also recommended preserving the one parcel the city previously acquired (a roughly 38-acre parcel between Highway 89, James Lane and Wall Creek) and halting pursuit of acquisition of seven other parcels pending the environmental assessment. The resolution authorizes staff to pursue the environmental assessment, historical/tribal studies and design work necessary for FAA review and funding consideration.

Why it matters: A longer, shifted runway can increase safety margins for aircraft operations and support larger aircraft needed for wildfire response and other regional missions. Crowder told council the FAA had programmed entitlement dollars for the environmental work and that the airport expects to know by the end of the year the exact scope of feet the FAA will support.

Action taken: Council adopted resolution 2025-1948 by a 7-0 vote. Staff said the next steps are to begin an environmental assessment, prepare required studies (including tribal and historical resources reviews), and move toward FAA funding applications for design and construction.

Next steps and timeline: Staff said the environmental assessment work will be initiated and that FAA programming makes the next fiscal year eligible for entitlement funding. Council members said the project could take multiple years to complete and that runway strengthening and lengthening are important for wildfire-fighting aircraft and regional air-service resilience.