Happy New Year Prescott!
Today’s community update comes to you from one of our most welcoming and well-loved community spaces, the Prescott Public Library. This library is far more than a place for books; it’s a hub for learning, connection, and lifelong discovery, and it’s fitting that we’re here as we share updates about what’s ahead for our City.
We have several important events coming up this month, the State of the City Breakfast, groundbreaking for the new hotel at the old City Hall site, and MLK Day.
City Council will meet twice in January on the13th and the 27th
There are several important items on the agenda for our January 13th meeting.
First at the 1:00 Study Session, Council will hear a presentation from Pollack and Company on the City’s Workforce Housing Strategy and implementation, a key issue impacting residents and employers alike.
At the 3:00 Voting Session, we will be discussing a Citizen’s Petition from Charles K. Thomas, and we’ll talk about some changes at our parks and lakes. We will be voting on how to proceed on the general plan. Our goal is to present a plan to the voters that will reflect how we want to grow, and will include elements that are important for our quality of life.
All meetings are open to the public, livestreamed, and available to watch later on Facebook and YouTube. Agendas and details are always available on our website, prescott-az.gov.
On Thursday, January 15th, at 8:30 a.m., I invite you to attend Prescott’s first-ever State of the City breakfast at the historic Sam Hill Warehouse. The theme of our event is Preserving the Past and ensuring a vibrant future”.
Council and staff will share highlights and accomplishments of 2025.
The event is free, but RSVPs are required due to limited seating. You can reserve a spot by emailing communications@prescott-az.gov.
On Monday, January 19th, the City will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the following City offices will be closed on Monday.
City Hall, the Library and the Transfer Station. Monday trash pick-up will be on Tuesday. To commemorate MLK Day, you are invited to join in the Annual Prescott MLK Peace and Justice March and Celebration. Please gather at Prescott College at 9:30 am on Monday January 19th.
On Thursday, January 22nd, Councilmembers will attend a groundbreaking at the Assembly at Old City Hall Hotel site at noon. This marks an exciting milestone and reflects continued investments in downtown Prescott and its future.
Now I want to take a moment to introduce our fabulous Library Director, Melissa Orr.
Thank you, Mayor Rusing, and welcome to the Prescott Public Library.
Winter is a great time to get cozy with a good book, and we have several programs happening now through the end of February that invite our community to read, connect, and give back.
Right now, we’re hosting Winter Reading Challenges for both youth and adults.
For students in grades K through 12, stop by the Youth Desk to pick up a Winter Reading Bookmark and start logging the books you read. Kids who complete the challenge will earn a free frozen custard and a free kid’s meal from Culver’s in Prescott.
For adults and teens ages 13 and up, we’re offering a Winter Bingo Challenge. Complete four fun, library-themed activities in a row to earn a prize, it’s a simple and enjoyable way to stay engaged this winter.
Throughout the month of January, the library is also hosting a non-perishable food drive to support Community Cupboard Food Bank, one of our valued partners that hosts our busiest Book Nook outreach location. We encourage visitors to bring canned or boxed food items when they stop by.
Adults looking to connect are invited to join us for Game-n-Gab, which meets on the second Friday of the month at 3 p.m. and the third Tuesday at 2 p.m. It’s a welcoming space to enjoy games, puzzles, and conversation.
We’re also excited about our partnerships with ERAU’s Planetarium, offering Storytime Under the Stars, and new STEM-focused programs for older kids. In addition, we’re working with students from BASIS Prescott on an interactive learning project exploring the history of Prescott and the library.
Finally, Imagination Library Prescott Area now serves over 3,000 local children, with more than 1,850 graduates since 2019, helping families build a love of reading from the very beginning.
Thank you for supporting your library. We look forward to welcoming you this winter.
Thank you, Melissa, and thank you to the entire library team for everything you do for our community. The library is just one of the many amenities offered by the City of Prescott. Good bye for now and I’ll see you soon.