The Ask
The Prescott Chamber of Commerce Foundation invites your participation in our Historical Building Preservation Project, to enhance the visitor and community experience. Your donation will provide financial backing for a major capital improvement for the Prescott Chamber of Commerce building.
The Prescott Chamber of Commerce houses the Official State Designated Visitor Information Center, serving the needs for visitors, businesses and residents. The Visitor Information Center is an economic driver for Prescott, averaging over 30,000 visitors annually from around the world to experience our fine city, stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week to the public and is supported almost 100% by volunteers who dedicate over 10,000 hours annually, equating to over $100,000.00 of staffing dollars. Other investments come from the Business Community supporting the Chamber in the form of dollars and in-kind services to support the operations of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and Prescott Chamber Prescott Foundation.
There have been minimal improvements to the building since 1981 when the Board of Directors hired Architect Bill Otwell to assist with the preservation of one of the only standing buildings from the fire in the 1900. In early 2018 the Foundation Board put together a three year strategic plan with the priority of reviewing the building. Bill Otwell was invited back to review the building. The first priority is to renovate the public area of the Visitor Information Center.
We plan to start the renovations in the fall of 2019 after the busy tourism season. If all Chamber members are able to contribute, we will be able to achieve our goal and represent the area and enhance the visitor and community experience, and drive customers to your place of business.
About the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Building 117 W. Goodwin, Prescott, AZ.
By Melissa Ruffner
One of the oldest buildings still standing around the Plaza, this structure was listed as the City Prison on the Sanborn Fire Map of 1895. While the inferno which raced down "Whiskey Row" on July 14, 1900 no doubt was reflected in these arched windows, the building was one of the few left standing in the downtown after the flames we extinguished.
Sometime after the turn of the century , the pink sandstone was plastered over and the facade "modernized" in other ways. In the intervening years it served a variety of purposes, including that of a city-operated Teen Canteen in the 1950's. The property was purchased in 1964 by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. With the support of the community, the Chamber refurbished their offices the summer of 1981.
On Behalf of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board we thank you for your contribution!
