[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623373,"mediaKeyId","2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387","parentId",2771687,"title","Votes at a glance: reimbursements, contracts and land purchase approved at March Pittsburg commission meeting","audioSeconds",152,"startMs",4973000,"endMs",5125000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387&start=4973&end=5125","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387/thumbnail_4973000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623373/Pittsburg/Crawford-County/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-reimbursements-contracts-and-land-purchase-approved-at-March-Pittsburg-commission-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623373-8e2f970ed579dbadd08d0d20455fa96b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197853&Signature=PFZFrWgaHnC~-gz6N9iXxLbTGXc7YnkQ89dM9V9d9Ps60N0CY32SJr3lsWUk96kk5y78YGbuw1T2sc9eMxs1aeHCjqnCe~WUHZbmHWuT-vXQs9PjEwclT-HfF0X9dpM85P~qpPc45NaqNTssLnDYYTIi2ej2W1Sqgfb4dyHz1tnsxaTf4ElluetcQhlbp-OjXlZE4qLE-Djtxpw1wH4mmXUCvhMFtVEYzSrEvUqrADbAPhYUZocAzTi~l5Xbdu6bBXSxZCa42DZ1GTb3y0kasBd-NBMWqDL5iAPAx7zlsYIFsPTwt2bWiYEtnOhCmh73Hrb6Xbie~d-mZe2o-Tn9fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Pittsburg, KS","date","2025-03-26T00:51:57.277Z","article","The Pittsburg City Commission adopted several staff recommendations and contract awards during its March 2025 meeting. Below is a concise listing of each formal action recorded in the meeting transcript and the outcome of the vote where available.

Votes at a glance

1) Legacy Restoration — 506 North Pine: reimburse 10% of total project value, not to exceed $40,000
- Sponsor/presenter: Quentin Holmes (Legacy Restoration).
- Staff recommendation: EDAC recommended 10% reimbursement on a projected $400,000 renovation; city share capped at $40,000.
- Motion: Move to approve (moved by Stu; seconded by Chuck). Outcome: motion carries (unanimous recorded “aye”).
- Project notes: Improvements include new sewer, new HVAC, new windows, ADA entrance/ramp (City Sidewalk Program partnership), ADA restrooms, and tenant finishes. Tenants include an engineering firm planning to start with 3 employees (grow to 8 in 2–3 years) and a first-floor tenant expected to grow to 12 employees over 3 years. Construction phases: demo in February–March (slight delay reported), framing beginning in April, targeted occupancy June 1.

2) Bar K Ranch and Company LLC — 3011 South Broadway: reimburse 10% of total project value, not to exceed $47,000
- Sponsor/presenter: Wes Keller (Bar K Ranch and Company).
- Staff recommendation: EDAC recommended 10% reimbursement on a $474,000 renovation; city share capped at $47,000.
- Motion: Move to approve (moved and seconded as recorded). Outcome: motion carries (recorded “aye”).
- Project notes: Exterior and roof work, repaired rear alley, new overhead door, regrading and runoff fixes; building contains three units (~4,600 sq ft total).

3) Chuck Eassan and Bill Kroenke — 106 East Ninth: reimburse 10% of total project value, not to exceed $40,000
- Sponsor/presenter: Chuckie (developer representative for project).
- Staff recommendation: EDAC recommended 10% reimbursement on a $400,000 project; city share capped at $40,000.
- Motion: Moved by Chuck; seconded by Stu. Commissioner Cheryl excused herself from this vote. Outcome: motion carried (recorded “aye”).
- Project notes: Plan includes converting alley and rear space to micro-event venue, a studio apartment, office suites (Midwest Medicare Solutions as tenant), new roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and patio/lighting improvements; target construction in May.

4) Pickleball court renovation — Lincoln Park (4 Oaks Complex): accept proposal from Multi Sports LLC of Kansas for full removal and replacement
- Staff recommendation: Replace existing courts using post-tension concrete; recommended low bidder Multi Sports (Wichita). Project cost: $575,250 (ARPA funds allocation noted at $500,000 originally).
- Motion: Move to approve (moved by Doc; seconded by Stu). Outcome: motion carries (recorded “aye”).

5) EaglePicher Technologies manufacturing facility — construction management contract award
- Staff recommendation: Award to Branco Enterprises (Neosho, Missouri) for GMP $6,784,000 with a construction management fee of 3.25%.
- Motion: Move to approve (moved by Sue; seconded by Cheryl). Outcome: motion carries (recorded “aye”).

6) Real estate purchase — 3 acres adjacent to Countryside Park
- Staff recommendation: Approve real estate sales contract to purchase 3 acres from Brian and Kristen McClure for $5,000 to expand Countryside Park.
- Motion: Move to approve (moved by Doc; seconded by Chuck). Outcome: motion carries (recorded “aye”).
- Project notes: Neighborhood advisory council and Friends of Countryside group have been planning to expand the park; the community will pursue fundraising and clearing of the land.

7) Executive session authorization
- Motion: Recess into executive session for 15 minutes under KSA 75-4319(b)(6) for preliminary discussion regarding acquisition of real property for redevelopment in the downtown district. (Moved by Doc; seconded by Cheryl.) Outcome: motion carries; meeting recessed and later reconvened.

Ending: The commission approved all staff recommendations listed above during the session. Several items were EDAC recommendations intended to support downtown and adjacent redevelopment; one finance-related item (the Pitt State Foundation loan forgiveness) was discussed separately and is reported in a separate article.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners approved multiple economic development reimbursements, contract awards and a small real estate purchase. This roundup lists each formal action taken at the March 2025 meeting with motion details and outcomes.","taxTitle","Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas","taxId",55171,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623378,"Downtown advisory board highlights events, lighting and alley improvements as downtown grows",1299,2007000,3306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387&start=2007&end=3306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387/thumbnail_2007000.jpg","/articles/6623378/Pittsburg/Crawford-County/Kansas/Downtown-advisory-board-highlights-events-lighting-and-alley-improvements-as-downtown-grows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623378-2c2495f3709c10c1dcd84c14f78199bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197853&Signature=edUltkYdXzijDHeqzKeH5-9vz1p2fOVDplpjU1NYlt1Svc7Tve7knfe3tCDt3UG4YT1q7NiI8JeRkq1ZIieS~J0T8LGt89376lIfkDLTU6Ty6aP-CJP2A4cl~k3L25XpaJasBawPjWXgMTbYgQ5cIAHvhURqmfG7ZO4EQAOBI0XicNR-rNjz~ob5kRi-tSYXU~ufUXZ2~HCYHE8~Fg0cFBGs8lhvHvsj~QJwiiBg6dM0tViFtzRfs8K5Js-dmuw84Mef~-LULCPuPLaWU~KG8bGO3pd68aSqkWfpVwOzbmxRtkwY917ZNHSa9yKWKHj10l~l6S3KQJ-Ka4S4VgaDdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Downtown Advisory Board presented its annual report to the Pittsburg City Commission, highlighting events, streetscape work and a multi-pronged strategy to make the downtown area more inviting and to support new businesses.

Board chair Tree Molchan and co-chair Stephanie Watts told commissioners the group’s priorities include improved lighting and alleyway upgrades, more downtown events and better parking signage. The board reported 9 new businesses opened, 8 businesses relocated or expanded, and 12 active redevelopment projects in the downtown area.

\"We basically represent downtown. We work through every issue,\" Tree Molchan said, describing the board’s monthly meetings and its focus on beautification, events and business support. Co-chair Stephanie Watts described the board’s events program, including the 6-20 block party (held June 20), Small Business Saturday promotions and the tree lighting ceremony that attracted between 800 and 1,000 attendees in its most recent year.

The board cited several accomplishments and near-term projects: placement of additional benches, acquisition and siting of bike racks using an $8,800 Live Well county grant, new sidewalk signs, and plans to test lower-level banner lighting sourced from a Parsons vendor. Board members said the group is working with the Pittsburg Police Department on a downtown lighting review and exploring inexpensive ways to brighten alleys and parking areas to improve safety.

The advisory board also outlined outreach plans, including a new “downtown connect” mixer to bring property owners, business owners and renters together. The presentation urged continued city investment in downtown rehabilitation: the board reported about 30 empty storefronts or buildings, eight dilapidated or endangered structures and three vacant lots in the downtown overlay.

\"We are a group of doers. We like get it done, and we like to see action,\" Watts said, noting that efforts such as a holiday window display contest and a targeted passport program for Small Business Saturday encouraged spending at small businesses.

Ending: Board members asked the commission to continue supporting downtown-specific grants and public improvements as a way to capitalize on momentum from recent openings and redevelopment activity. They invited commissioners and citizens to attend monthly meetings (third Monday, rotating downtown locations).","The Downtown Advisory Board reported on 2024 events, streetscape and safety priorities and recommended continued city support for lighting, parking signage and property rehabilitation as downtown gains new businesses and redevelopment projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623383,"Pittsburg Commission forgives final payments on Pitt State Foundation downtown loan after 3-2 vote amid conflict concerns",793,1199000,1992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387&start=1199&end=1992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2771687-8bfffea625aa9e5e50140214b6727387/thumbnail_1199000.jpg","/articles/6623383/Pittsburg/Crawford-County/Kansas/Pittsburg-Commission-forgives-final-payments-on-Pitt-State-Foundation-downtown-loan-after-3-2-vote-amid-conflict-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623383-ec8720518d7cf1a50bb47cd0d36cc13d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197853&Signature=kTKvM2LMyaOpF8t6rSdlCI~kvBCyU1KYBpWBymFMWddWhs57sVSbYeDCpusk9XkWip63bAB09~WzS6cxfyMfTpn9Dl1wFBvr1eKMglmHjnMDpgzD1L-XCnJmFPF015Aawdrp1XCoQhXw9y0hhY9AXZ40CBfjlPni8z~7-KaA~iFATLQiljlLyDrAKK6fHDL21200h-Sh4BUdKF~AV6h7LQazoTkPrqwWXt-1B9d8zDh0~mjvkNdNKjy7-HtSC9Juyl~d8iVtLmge9mJE3kyshN6bItYhTKW2-XbHOSlRWzICU5G~ZamfZpW6oPT7glVZBCV4gb4qsIzMvOrw3hm0CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pittsburg City Commission on a March 2025 evening approved forgiving the final two years of a $300,000 forgivable loan to the Pittsburg State University Foundation for build-out of Block 22 restaurant and retail space, voting 3-2 to close out the agreement.

The loan was originally approved on March 13, 2018, to help with tenant-ready improvements — such as flooring, electrical and HVAC — for downtown spaces. The forgiveness schedule was later adjusted by the commission on Nov. 26, 2019, after project delays; the revised schedule moved the five-year forgiveness period to conclude in 2024. The item before the commission applied the final two years of forgiveness after the city determined the loan’s occupancy conditions had been met.

Why it matters: The loan used city taxpayer funds and was tied to a condition that the spaces be occupied by sales-tax-generating businesses. Commissioner Chuck opposed final forgiveness and said the arrangement was unfair to other local businesses and raised concerns about who negotiated lease terms when the space was vacant.

Commissioner Chuck said he had voted against the original loan and reiterated his objections at the meeting. “That was $300,000 of taxpayers money. I don't feel Sean should be in a position to negotiate with anyone whether they were not going to pay a lease for a year,” Chuck said. He added, “I voted not to approve this because [it was] unfair to the other businesses that were paying property tax, the sales tax.”

City staff and other commissioners described the loan as a forgivable assistance agreement intended to make a long-vacant space tenant-ready. Blake, a city staff member who presented the item, said the $300,000 covered structural and fixed improvements — not restaurant equipment — and that multiple spaces in Block 22 are now occupied and generating sales tax. Blake said the commission previously approved earlier years of forgiveness and that the current request would close out the agreement.

The commission moved the consent agenda with item C pulled for discussion; after debate and questions, Commissioner Doc moved to approve the forgiveness and Commissioner Stu seconded. The assembly voted and the motion carried 3-2.

The commission did not provide a public record in the meeting transcript of any formal investigation into the negotiation history between the foundation, tenants and outside parties. Blake said the city was not privy to those negotiations and that leases are between the property owner (the Pittsburg State University Foundation) and operators.

The commission’s action completes the city’s remaining obligation under the 2018 assistance agreement, according to staff remarks in the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners approved the staff recommendation to forgive the final two years of the loan. The commission did not order additional staff review of the negotiation practices discussed during public comment; the record shows the item concluded with the vote.","The City Commission approved forgiving the final two years of a $300,000 forgivable loan awarded to the Pittsburg State University Foundation for build-out of Block 22 retail/restaurant space. The vote was 3-2 after a commissioner raised concerns about fairness and a possible conflict of interest involving a local developer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: reimbursements, contracts and land purchase approved at March Pittsburg commission meeting

Downtown advisory board highlights events, lighting and alley improvements as downtown grows

Pittsburg Commission forgives final payments on Pitt State Foundation downtown loan after 3-2 vote amid conflict concerns