In the fall of 2024, we received a $200,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Housing to assist local jurisdictions in solving the workforce housing crisis. With that grant money, the City hired Elliott Pollack and Company to conduct that local Housing Needs Assessment. It is important that we understand the full complexity of the issues before we can develop strategies to address the problems.
Here in the City of Prescott, the state of housing is something we recognize as a serious concern. On September 9th, during our Council Voting Meeting, we heard a presentation from Rick Merritt, the President of Elliott Pollack and Company.
While we frequently hear the term, “workforce housing” it is also called, “missing middle housing”. This describes housing for households that are between 60-120% of the local median income. These households earn too much to receive state or federal assistance, but they are unable to afford housing obtained at the market rate.
Some of the critical personnel that need housing are teachers, police, firefighters, construction workers, retail workers and those that provide services to the community.
With the median age of 60.3 in the City of Prescott, we have a low Labor Force Participation Rate of just 42.4%. That’s compared to 48.3% in Yavapai County and 60.1% in Arizona as a whole.
A low Labor Force Participation Rate means that housing is definitely an economic development issue for the City, because there are not enough people to provide services for the general population, which leads to long-distance commuting.
The median household income in Prescott is under $70,000. Unfortunately, the price of housing has increased dramatically since 2019. Single family housing prices have increased by 63%, which translates to an average increase of $270,000 per home, vastly outpacing inflation.
This study is not yet complete. Council will receive further updates from Elliott Pollack in the months ahead. But, the information provided is valuable and will help the City as it makes its way forward, seeking solutions to this problem.
You can watch the entire discussion HERE
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Be sure to mark your calendars for Prescott AirFest 2025, taking place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Prescott Regional Airport, Ernest A. Love Field. This free, family-friendly event invites the community to celebrate aviation and explore one of Northern Arizona’s most dynamic air transportation hubs.
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The City of Prescott and their contractor, Sunland Asphalt & Construction, are currently working on a pavement preservation and maintenance project along Prescott Lakes Parkway, between SR89 and SR69, and along SR89, between Yavpe Connector and the Willow Lake Road roundabout.
To expedite completion of the project and minimize the impact to the traveling public, residents and businesses, a portion of the work along SR89 will be completed at night.
There are schedule and traffic impacts expected on Prescott Lakes Parkway, from SR89 to SR69.
I’m happy to report that the asphalt milling, preparation work and pavement repairs are now completed.
From September 24 to September 29, a two-step pavement preservation application will take place. This work will take place during the day.
Pavement preservation will also occur within the Prescott Lakes Parkway Roundabout. This work will be done during night hours, and requires a full closure of Prescott Lakes Parkway between Wal-Mart and SR89 for the night.
On SR89, from Yavpe Connector to the Willow Lake Road roundabout, the pavement repairs on SR89 from Yap Connector to the Willow Lake Road roundabout have been completed.
From September 23rd to September 26th, drivers can expect night work as pavement preservation takes place along the right lanes of SR89 in both directions. This work requires a full closure of driveway entrances along SR89, the SR89/Yavpe Connector and SR89/Prescott Lakes Parkway intersections for each night. Detour routes will be available, please follow the marked signage.
On September 30th and October 1st, please plan for night work during pavement preservation within the Willow Lake Road Roundabout. This work requires a partial closure of certain turning movements within the roundabout each night.
During this Work you can Expect:
• Crews working from 5 AM to 7 PM with some night work performed as needed
• Flagging operations and temporary traffic controls
• Temporary street closures
• Lane restrictions
• Reduced speeds
• Construction noise
• Travel delays
Crews will work to maintain business access as best as possible.
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Our Tuesday at 1 PM City Council Study Session promises to be jam-packed. First of all, we will have a presentation and discussion regarding a proposal to convert Ken Lindley Field to Synthetic Turf.
In August 2025, the City of Prescott received a proposal from a local non-profit youth soccer organization to convert the existing natural grass field at Ken Lindley Park to a high-quality synthetic turf field.
This proposal has many details. I look forward to hearing the information and to a robust discussion.
During the Study Session, we will also be discussing a possible shift of the Primary Runway at Prescott Regional Airport.
The relocation of Runway 3R by 780 feet to the north east, would be a benefit to commercial service multi-engine aircrafts. It is believed that the shift will increase the cost of the extension and strengthening project, but save in land acquisition costs and mitigate existing noise issues associated with nearby homes and major transmission lines.
During the 3 PM Voting Meeting, Council will consider approving 6 grants from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Council will also consider a Contract for a Rodeo/Fairground Master Plan.
The purpose of this project is to create a Master Plan for the Prescott Rodeo/Fairgrounds that accommodates the many differing needs of the user groups and minimize and mitigate the impact on the adjoining neighborhoods, providing the updated amenities needed to enable efficient and effective use of the grounds for years to come.
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There is one meeting scheduled this week. The Planning and Zoning Commission will be meeting on Thursday, September 25th, at 9 AM in Council Chambers.
