No one wants to see the World’s Oldest Rodeo leave the Prescott fairgrounds, the question is how to make the boot fit everyone.
A $15-million question
In May 2023 Prescott Frontier Days, Inc. (PFD) unveiled a bold expansion plan for the fairgrounds owned by the City of Prescott. Its proposed master plan included a new indoor arena, an event center, additional restroom facilities, a private clubhouse for the 1888 Buckle Club, and extensive paved parking throughout the property.
The project was originally backed by a $15.3-million budget allocation from Arizona state Representatives Quang Nguyen and Selina Bliss. But when two citizens — Howard Mechanic and Ralph Hess — sued the state, the Arizona courts ruled that the funding violated the state constitution’s gift clause.
After the ruling, state Senator Mark Finchem persuaded the Legislature to redirect the funds to the City. City staff have already begun planning for infrastructure work aligned with the original PFD master plan, including upgraded water and electrical utilities, new sound systems, grandstand replacement, and larger sewer lines to support expanded restrooms and kitchen facilities.
Neighborhood pushback
More big events could mean more unmanageable traffic, more parking problems, and more noise for those living nearby.
The surrounding neighborhoods were caught off guard by the initial PFD 2023 master plan and planned development of the property. Residents voiced strong concerns about traffic, parking intrusions, environmental issues and increased noise that would accompany this larger venue. The growth rate projected in the economic studies by PFD consultants Round Tree could double or triple the number of events. In response, neighbors organized a series of meetings to document their concerns and advocated for a process that would consider the major impacts on their quality of life.
Their research uncovered an earlier City-commissioned study — the 2001 Gralla Report — that concluded the fairgrounds site was too small for a modern equestrian center. Gralla ultimately recommended a 100-acre alternative at Pioneer Park or a private 170-acre location at 89 and 89A.
GH2 Equine Architects, coincidentally the same firm chosen by the steering committee involved in the city’s 2025 master-plan process, was chosen to prepare a design following Gralla’s work. Prescott voters ultimately deemed the project unaffordable, and it was abandoned by the City by 2005.
Revisiting an old plan
Concerned residents also found that the City Council adopted a Neighborhood Area-Specific Plan in 2000. In 2023 residents worked to update this plan and submitted it to the City for consideration as part of the General Plan process. The update continued to emphasize ongoing concerns like land-use conflicts, noise, traffic, and loss of residential character. That plan remains pending while the City finalizes its General Plan.
In the meantime residents have proposed a shared-use concept for the fairgrounds property, as shown in the drawing, combining existing uses like the Rodeo, the County Fair, UofA Cooperative Extension, the Prescott Antique Auto Club and the Prescott Farmers Market Community Compost Program, along with other community-oriented uses. Additional uses to consider include a demonstration garden run by Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, public open space accessible year-round, and moving the property’s entrances off Gail Gardner and Fair to Miller Valley Road to relieve parking and traffic issues for the neighborhood.
Steering Committee and GH2 process
To move forward the City formed a Steering Committee and hired GH2 Equine Architects of Scottsdale to lead a new master-planning process.
The committee includes representatives from PFD, the Gail Gardner Neighborhood Group, the UofA Cooperative Extension, and Prescott Farmers Market. Meeting monthly since April 2025, the group aims to find common ground on the property’s future.
In an October 2025 Council study session, Deputy City Manager Michael Morris outlined GH2’s community-engagement plan, to include stakeholder workshops, open public meetings at 30%, 75%, and 100% completion, and up to three public Council presentations. The final master plan is expected by late summer 2026.
Finding common ground
The goal isn’t to stop the rodeo, it’s to make sure it can continue to operate at its historic location with needed safety and maintenance improvements.
GH2’s first stakeholder session on November 5 drew 15 representatives from each user group: PFD, the Neighborhood, the Farmers Market, Cooperative Extension, County Fair, and Antique Auto Club.
Participants identified their priorities and concerns, laying groundwork for two upcoming interactive sessions where all groups will help design shared solutions. Neighborhood residents remain concerned that the scale of any redevelopment of the fairgrounds will increase the size and number of events, resulting in more noise, traffic and adverse effects on them and the west side of Prescott.
Even with $15 million in state funds, full build-out of any concept plan would cost far more — resources the City doesn’t have.
You can get involved. Attend public meetings: Check the City of Prescott website for upcoming Steering Committee and Neighborhood sessions. Join the Gail Gardner Neighborhood Facebook page (Gail‐GardnerPrescott).
