Prescott Downtown Partnership creates a new strategic plan for bright future
By Joanna Nellans
There is truth to the cliche about the silver lining, especially when it comes to the Prescott Downtown Partnership (PDP).
The PDP suffered a temporary setback late last year when board members discovered that the then-PDP director, who was hired after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region, was mismanaging the 22-year-old non-profit’s funds. With the help of a PDP Board of Directors’ forensic audit, police soon charged her with crimes including fraud and theft.
The PDP Board then quickly turned its focus to the future, creating a new detailed strategic plan to expand its efforts to help its partners keep the historic downtown dynamic while adding layers of PDP financial accountability. They hired fellow board member Audra Yamamoto to lead the PDP into a new, more transparent era.
“It really has made the whole board come together,” said Jennifer Herbert, a PDP board member and it’s public relations coordinator who owns the highly successful Superstition Meadery downtown. “Everyone’s super excited to help and do something for the town.”
Yamamoto quickly added, “Honestly, I wouldn’t be doing this without this board.” Yamamoto has extensive experience in business consulting, professional bookkeeping, and running a downtown Prescott business as owner of the former Granite Mountain Brewing. She has committed to two years as PDP Director.
“I will do what it takes to ensure success,” Yamamoto said. “Our focus is on modernizing the organization and making it easier for our members to engage with us.”
With all the PDP Board’s business expertise, Yamamoto has a wealth of assistance. For example, PDP Board Member Sadie Sarti is a web designer who has been helping with rebranding and revamping the PDP website.
“I’ve never seen an organization come together like this in crisis,” Yamamoto added. “We now have a quote hanging in the office: ‘The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have,’ from Vince Lombardi. It’s a daily reminder to be grateful for our board members and their renewed commitment to our vibrant downtown.”
The PDP processes all the applications for county government permits to conduct events on downtown Prescott’s most important site, the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. The PDP also directly organizes the annual Prescott Summer Concert Series, Prescott Rodeo Days Arts & Crafts Show, Prescott Holiday Light Parade & Bonfire Festival, and the flower baskets hanging on downtown light poles. The PDP has more than 100 members from the business, government, non-profit and residential communities; anyone with an interest in keeping downtown Prescott prosperous is welcome to join.
The PDP plans to unveil its rebrand and strategic plan on February 10 during its annual membership meeting at the Hassayampa Inn.
For more information about PDP, visit https://prescottdowntown.com.