Prison seeks help from 'chain gang'
Sometimes "it takes a village" for a worthy cause. In the case of saving the famed Yuma Territorial Prison, it will take a "chain gang."
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is launching a campaign to save the historic attraction, but it needs the help of the community.
During its January meeting, the Arizona State Parks Board voted to close the Yuma Territorial Prison March 29, one of 13 state parks officials listed for closing in response to budget cuts enacted late last year.
Charles Flynn, executive director of the Heritage Area, announced last week that the agency would spring to action to operate the prison with the hope that the Yuma community would lend a hand.
“Many individuals have stepped forward asking how they can help,” Flynn said.
In reviewing the financial status of the Yuma Territorial Prison, it was found that the state park has annual revenues of $180,000 and expenses of $320,000, he said. The Heritage Area believes it can cut operting costs by $60,000 the first year. The agency also wants to set aside $20,000 for immediate deferred maintenance items. Therefore, $100,000 is needed.
The Heritage Area has committed $50,000 of the funding it receives from the National Park Service to help address the deficit, Flynn said.
A 60-day fund-raising campaign has been launched to raise the remaining $50,000 from the community.
"The key is to get our feet on the ground," Flynn said. "That gives us a year to further reduce costs and generate more revenue to keep it going."
Revenue generating ideas so far include bus tours, increased retail sales at the park's gift shop, special events and other activities.
"Between how strongly the community feels and the marketing opportunities, we feel this will work," he said, adding that the Heritage Area board has said there's nothing more important to the riverfront redevelopment effort at this point than saving the site.
He said the plan is to execute an agreement similar to the one that saved Yuma Quartermaster Depot, with the city leasing the park from the state and having the Heritage Area assist.
The difference, Flynn said, is that the city was able to commit funding to the Quartermaster Depot from 2 percent hospitality tax revenue since that money had already been going to the park.
But the city has no additional money to go toward the Yuma Territorial Prison and that is why community support is so vital.
People can mail contributions (made payable to “YCNHA” and mark “Save the Prison Fund” in the memo field) to YCNHA c/o The Foothills Bank, 2285 S. 4th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364.
Groups wanting to help raise money are asked to become part of the Territorial Prison Chain Gang. Each group determines how it wants to help save the prison, such as a fund-raiser or campaign. The group will register in the program and receive an official endorsement and marketing materials, then will be asked to invite another group to “link” to its program to form a chain.
The chain and the group that raises the most money by March 10 for the "3:10 to Yuma" fund-raising event at the prison will receive a variety of prizes and other recognition.
For more information about the Yuma Territorial Prison Chain Gang, call Susan Sternitzke at 782-5712 or e-mail SusanS@YumaHeritage.com.
Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.
