The city of Apache Junction could take ownership of the rodeo grounds, 1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd., as early as this spring, the City Council was told recently.
The rodeo grounds are home to annual events such as the Lost Dutchman Days rodeo and carnival, and the Arizona Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association show.
The Bureau of Land Management’s Lower Sonoran Field Office last year sought public comments on a proposed direct sale of the 20 acres of public lands to the city, which has leased the land since 1986 for use as a rodeo grounds arena under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. A direct sale would allow the city to operate the lands for commercial purposes beyond the scope of the act.
The City Council on Oct. 6, 2020, approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Bureau of Land Management in the U.S. Department of the Interior for preparatory rodeo grounds purchase costs.
Liz Langenbach, Apache Junction parks and recreation director, recently received an email from BLM regarding the rodeo grounds, City Manager Bryant Powell said at the March 7 City Council meeting.
“I can announce that we are getting closer and closer. I think within this spring will be a chance to be able to communicate to you and others that we’ll be able to purchase and own the rodeo grounds. So really pleased that that is finally getting to that last phase and here in the near term to be able to let you know,” Powell said during the city manager’s report part of the meeting.
The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Richard Dyer Managing Editor | East Valley @RHDyer
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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