Council approves purchase of 37.32 acres near Prescott Regional Airport to protect runway safety and planning options
Summary
The council adopted ordinance 2025-1897 to authorize purchase of about 37.32 acres near Prescott Regional Airport, a parcel officials say is important for protecting OEI (one-engine-inoperative) surfaces, runway protection zones and future runway-shift/extension options; council noted potential FAA and ADOT grants.
The Prescott City Council on May 27 adopted ordinance 2025-1897 authorizing the purchase of roughly 37.32 acres from a willing seller near Prescott Regional Airport (Ernest A. Love Field). The purchase was presented as a safety and strategic planning measure tied to runway-protection surfaces and longer-term options for shifting and extending the primary runway.
Why it matters: The parcel sits near the extended centerline and OEI (one-engine-inoperative) surfaces for the airport—s commercial runway; acquiring it reduces the risk that future private development or utility poles could penetrate critical safety surfaces and limits future land-use conflicts as the airport considers runway-extension and operational changes.
Staff presentation: Airport Director Rick Kreider told council the tract lies between Highway 89, James Lane and Wall Creek Road and has been considered in multi-year OEI and runway-protection studies. He said shifting the usable runway toward the northeast as part of a future extension could reduce the number of parcels the city must acquire, potentially saving millions in land costs, but that the parcel is strategically important under the current alignment as well.
Cost and funding: The resolution packet listed a purchase price (presented by staff) for the parcel; staff said they have an FAA grant tracking number for approximately $1.1 million toward acquisition and will pursue additional ADOT support. Council and staff emphasized that any grant awards would be formalized before relying on reimbursement for budgeting.
Public safety and incidents: Council members noted several off-airport landing incidents in recent years along the runway—s southern approach; staff described three off-airport incidents in roughly three years and a total of 27 airport-related incidents over 10 years, with four off-airport landings. Council members said the parcel purchase would help protect nearby neighborhoods and support the airport—s future viability.
Outcome and next steps: The ordinance passed 7-0. Staff said they will proceed with closing and pursue FAA and ADOT reimbursement/grant processes; the airport department will continue public engagement on the runway-shift study and host open houses and a September study-session update to council.
