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Council approves $2.82M design-build contract for new fire training tower amid concerns over proximity to Peavine Trail
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Summary
The council voted 5-2 to award a design-build contract to Janssen Construction LLC for a new $2,823,026.52 fire training tower at the existing training site. Opponents on the council and several members raised concerns about smoke, noise and the towers proximity to the heavily used Peavine Trail and a recent bald-eagle nest.
The Prescott City Council on Oct. 28 approved a $2,823,026.52 design-build contract with Janssen Construction LLC for a new Prescott Fire Training Tower at the site of the previous tower, with the motion passing 5-2 after extended debate about whether the location, adjacent to the Peavine Trail and Watson Lake, is appropriate for repeated training burns.
Staff and procurement: Tim Sherwood of Public Works said the city conducted a qualifications-based procurement and a five-member review committee unanimously selected Janssen Construction. The recommended award covers the tower components and site work; Sherwood said tower components account for roughly $1.5 million of the total, with the remainder covering demolition, site prep and a on-site detention basin to capture runoff during training activities.
Why staff recommends the site: Fire officials said the training tower is necessary to meet training requirements and to maintain the citys insurance-services rating. Fire training will combine class A combustible burns and a class B gas-fired burn component to cover different training needs. "We need both for training," a fire department representative said, noting the class-B system will be easier to use and more controlled than some existing regional systems.
Community concerns: Councilman Moore and Councilwoman Furworth voiced opposition to the site. Moore said the Peavine Trail is used by hundreds of thousands of visitors and that the area hosts a newly documented bald-eagle nest within a few hundred yards of the proposed tower. "This really is the crowning jewel of our city," Moore said, arguing the proximity to recreational use and wildlife made the location incompatible. Furworth echoed worries about smoke and disturbance and urged the city to explore other sites such as airport-owned land.
Staff mitigation and process: Fire staff said the new tower will be modular and can be relocated in the future if a different site is secured; Sherwood noted that relocating earlier would add an estimated $40 million in capital costs beyond currently budgeted amounts. Staff also said the facility will be used in controlled exercises and that the city will follow submittal requirements for landscaping and other environmental controls.
Action taken: The council approved city contract 2026-066 (design-build award to Janssen Construction LLC) by a 5-2 vote. The contract is funded from the Proposition 478 dedicated sales tax appropriated for public-safety capital projects.
What to watch for: Staff to proceed with demolition of the old tower site, complete required site work and begin construction coordination with the awarded contractor; residents and trail users may request future review of operational mitigation measures, dust/smoke controls and timing of burns.
