Prescott Valley Town, Arizona

Prescott Valley’s Renaissance: Nurturing Growth, Community, and Sustainability

Explore Prescott Valley’s journey towards renewed infrastructure, business growth, and a clear vision of a holistic community experience for every resident.

Imagine a place where the golden hues of the desert meet the fertile greens of nature, where the whispers of history intertwine with the bustling sounds of today. Welcome to Prescott Valley, Arizona. Situated in the heart of the state, this town is more than just a prime geographical location; it’s a melting pot of stories, dreams, and aspirations.

Once a serene ranching enclave, Prescott Valley has gracefully evolved, embracing the challenges of the 21st century while preserving its rich heritage. Mayor Kell Palguta paints a vivid picture of a town perched on the high plains of northern Arizona. At an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet, residents and visitors alike are treated to the unique experience of all four seasons, a rarity in many parts of the country. “It’s incredible,” Mayor Palguta remarks, emphasizing the town’s distinct climatic advantage.

Despite its growing population, which hovers around 50,000, the town retains a warmth and intimacy that’s becoming increasingly rare. “Although we may be growing, it still has that hometown feel,” Mayor Palguta notes. “You can go to the grocery store, smile at residents, and converse with neighbors or friends you haven’t seen in a while.” This sense of community, he believes, is what draws people from all over the country to Prescott Valley.

And for those with a penchant for the outdoors, Prescott Valley is on the cusp of unveiling a major attraction. “One of the bigger projects we’re working on,” Mayor Palguta shares, “is the purchase of Glassford Hill, a 3500-acre expanse.” This initiative, a collaboration between the town of Prescott Valley, Yavapai County, and the city of Prescott, aims to introduce additional trails, hiking routes, and other amenities.

Laying the Groundwork for Tomorrow

Prescott Valley is not just resting on its laurels despite all it offers. The town is actively investing in its future, ensuring that as it grows, it remains a place where residents can thrive and businesses can flourish. Gilbert Davidson, the Town Manager, sheds light on the various infrastructure projects that are paving the way for Prescott Valley’s bright future.

“From one end of town to the other, we’re working on road improvements,” he shares. Major commercial corridors are seeing reinvestments, with upgraded roads, new sidewalks, and enhanced connectivity. A whole new arterial road system is in the works, aimed at alleviating traffic in congested areas. The council and community are deeply invested in these road and connectivity improvements, recognizing their importance for the town’s future.

Davidson also highlights the town’s focus on public transit, mentioning the micro-transit system launched a year ago. This system is designed to cater to residents without personal vehicles, ensuring they can easily move around the town. Plans are also in place to collaborate with regional partners to expand this service further.

Water management is another central focus for Prescott Valley. Davidson elaborates on the town’s master drainage and recharge plan, which aims to manage stormwater and drainage more effectively. “This not only benefits the community by preventing flood damage to the older residential part of town but also opens up areas for future expansion,” he explains. The plan also includes innovative recharge projects to ensure the conservation of water, a precious resource in Arizona. “We want to make sure that we can legally recharge every drop of water and get the water back into our aquifer,” Davidson emphasizes.

The town’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its recent energy audit of all municipal facilities. This audit led to the creation of a sustainability roadmap outlining the areas where the town can make improvements, from upgrading to solar LEDs to replacing outdated equipment. Davidson notes that the savings from these improvements can be reinvested into other community projects, such as parks and roads.

He also touches on the town’s water management plan, a comprehensive strategy to maximize and protect water resources for future generations. “It’s a four-pronged plan,” he says, “involving studies, physical projects, partnerships, and council-approved policies and procedures.”

Davidson further speaks about the town’s parks and recreational spaces vision. Echoing Mayor Palguta’s earlier mention of the Glassford Hill project, he envisions multi-use pathways connecting different parts of the community. “Our long-term goal is to have residents and visitors move from one end of our community to the other without having to use a street,” he says.

Safety and Revitalization

In any thriving community, the safety and well-being of its residents are paramount. Davidson examines the intricate layers of public safety in Prescott Valley, emphasizing the town’s obligation to ensure a secure environment for all.

“Our police department was just accredited with a statewide designation,” he proudly states, hinting at the department’s aspirations for national accreditation. The council’s unwavering focus on public safety is evident in its continuous efforts to equip the police force with the latest technology and tools, from body cams to advanced tech systems.

“Over the years, we’ve been making key investments to ensure our officers can respond to any need within the community,” he adds. The results speak for themselves, with Prescott Valley recently being recognized as the eighth safest place in Arizona. Davidson attributes this to the officers’ diligent work and the town’s vigilant community.

Transitioning to the topic of downtown amenities, Davidson paints a picture of a burgeoning downtown Prescott Valley. At its core lies the town’s event center, a versatile venue capable of hosting a myriad of events, from concerts and rodeos to hockey matches and indoor arena football. “From that, we’ve got a hotel, with more in the works, and major investments in higher density residential right in the core of our downtown area,” he shares. This growth is catalyzing the emergence of new restaurants and commercial opportunities.

Fostering Growth through a Commercial Vision

Prescott Valley is focused on fostering a thriving commercial environment, which is evident in its proactive approach to supporting local businesses and attracting new ventures. Cutter Chamberlain, the Economic Development Administrator, provides insights into the town’s strategies and initiatives aimed at bolstering its commercial landscape.

He starts by recalling the town’s humble beginnings, with small local shops lining the major highway. “Prescott Valley started off as a really small town with small local businesses,” he says. These businesses, he notes, have largely thrived, with the town boasting a high occupancy rate for retail spaces. “Our occupancy rate for commercial business is very good, and we need more space to fit the new businesses coming into the area,” he mentions, highlighting the town’s efforts to work with developers to increase commercial inventory.

He also emphasizes the town’s collaboration with educational institutions to bolster workforce development. “Our two largest employers are in education and health services,” he states. The town’s partnership with Yavapai College and a nearby university aims to retain graduates in the area, particularly those from aviation programs.

Addressing potential areas for growth, Chamberlain speaks of several shovel-ready sites in Prescott Valley, both in the central part of town and industrial areas. “We have tons of commercial space right in the central part of town,” he says, noting the town’s collaboration with the Arizona Commerce Authority to promote these sites to potential businesses.

On the topic of incentives for businesses, Chamberlain reveals that the town has recently introduced two new incentives. “One is a job creation incentive,” he says, explaining that businesses bringing a certain amount of development dollars and creating at least ten new jobs paying within the median household income range can benefit. These businesses can potentially have their construction sales tax rebated back to them, which can be used for various purposes, including infrastructure, sustainable development and job training.

Strengthening Community Ties: Collaborations and Sustainability

On Prescott Valley’s commitment to promoting a sense of community and ensuring a sustainable future, Mayor Palguta sheds light on the town’s partnerships that play a pivotal role in its growth and development.

“We work in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce,” he shares, emphasizing the Chamber’s role in disseminating information and supporting the business community. He also highlights the town’s strong relationship with Yavapai College, which plans to invest more in Prescott Valley, recognizing its status as the largest community in Yavapai County. “They have plans to invest much more here in Prescott Valley,” he notes. Additionally, the presence of Dignity Hospital, though not a direct collaborator, is acknowledged by the mayor as a valuable partner for the community.

Shifting the conversation to sustainability, Mayor Palguta underscores the town’s focus on outdoor activities and the importance of parks. “Prescott Valley has put a lot of investment into our parks and trails,” he says, emphasizing the role of parks in fostering family bonding and reducing screen time. He also touches upon the town’s efforts to enhance its downtown area, aiming to improve walkability scores in the coming years.

Davidson chimes in, introducing a recent project approved by the council. “We have an arterial road that we’re calling a road diet,” he explains. This initiative involves transforming a four-lane road into a two-lane one, with the addition of dedicated center turn lanes and bike lanes. “It’s really changing the entire feel of that road network,” he says, highlighting the project’s aim to enhance connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

Future Priorities and Visions for Prescott Valley

As the conversation draws to a close, each leader shares their top priorities and visions for Prescott Valley, offering a glimpse into the town’s future trajectory.

Davidson emphasizes the importance of team building and alignment with the council’s strategic plan. “From my perspective, it’s building a phenomenal team that’s going to serve this community at the highest level,” he says. He envisions a Prescott Valley where residents can thrive and be integral to the community regardless of their life stage.

Conversely, Chamberlain highlights the ongoing strategic planning process to provide a clear roadmap for Prescott Valley’s growth and development. “We’ve selected a consultant to really dig into Prescott Valley,” he notes. His top priorities include bolstering tourism, a sector previously untapped by the town, and enhancing the local economy.

Mayor Palguta rounds off the discussion by reiterating the significance of the strategic plan. He envisions a Prescott Valley where residents can experience life’s milestones without ever having to leave. “Prescott Valley becomes that place where you can be born, grow up, go to school, fall in love, start a family, and retire eventually,” he concludes.

AT A GLANCE

Prescott Valley Town, Arizona

What: A rapidly growing community focused on strategic development, infrastructure improvements, and fostering a sustainable environment for residents and businesses.

Where: Arizona, USA

Website: https://www.prescottvalley-az.gov/