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Prescott Valley directs staff on restoration of fire-damaged Barlow-Massicks House and weighs insurance buyback options
Summary
Council directed staff to pursue restoration planning for the historic Barlow-Massicks House, heard that the property had only $83,000 in insurance coverage, and authorized staff to proceed with a staff-recommended option that balances payout and future flexibility (Resolution 2026-2458).
The Prescott Valley Town Council directed staff to move forward with restoration planning for the fire-damaged Barlow-Massicks House and discussed insurance buyback options and long-term uses for the site.
Town staff described steps taken after the fire to secure and assess the structure and engage stakeholders including the historical society and the State Historic Preservation Office. Amy Ness, the town's insurance coordinator, said the property had been placed on the town policy with an incorrect valuation and that current coverage was only $83,000. Ness presented two buyback options to restore historical-level coverage retrospectively to 2017: a standard coverage buyback that would require roughly $550,103 in back premiums for an expected payout of about $1,062,100, and a historic-register buyback with about $272,664 in back premiums for an expected payout of about $2,634,100 but with about $30,000 in higher ongoing annual premiums.
"Currently the coverage we have is only $83,000 for this property," Ness told the council. She said the insurance pool allows retroactive buyback but that the historic-registry option would increase future premiums and limit flexibility for interior reuse.
Kay Clock, president of the Prescott Valley Historical Society, urged rebuilding the 'castle' as a centerpiece and museum for the community and offered the society's involvement in planning. Councilmembers discussed options ranging from a historically faithful rebuild to a more flexible exterior restoration with modernized interior uses; staff recommended the latter (Option 1) to preserve flexibility while returning the exterior to its 1890 appearance.
Council moved to authorize the Vice Mayor to sign Resolution 2026-2458 directing staff regarding restoration of the Barlow-Massicks House. The motion passed unanimously. Staff said master planning, citizen engagement and engineering design will follow and that received insurance funds would be held specifically for the house restoration.
