Joni Mitchell wrote a song in 1970 that includes the lyrics: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
Pittsburg State University is in the process of purchasing some homes and doing just that — putting up parking lots.
Most of Pitt State’s expansion is northward and along Joplin Street.
Pittsburg State has purchased 15 parcels of property for a little bit more than $1 million.
One focus of those purchases is the block immediately north of Grubbs Hall, which currently houses a small gravel parking lot. That block is bounded on the north by Williams Street, an alley on the north of Grubbs Hall, the east by Joplin Street and the west by Elm Street.
There are five properties in that block that have been purchased recently by Pitt State. A sixth is in the process of being purchased. Only two properties in that block are not owned by PSU, a home and an apartment complex on the west end of the block.
Included in that is the Campus Christians house, which PSU has agreed not to demolish until after students move out in May. The whole block will be repaved, curbed, gutted next summer, and emergency phones will be put in the area.
Steve Erwin, PSU vice president for campus life and auxiliary services, said Pitt State has “no significant plans at this time” to purchase those homes.
The plan is to turn that block into parking for students.
“We don’t have a parking problem,” Erwin said. “We have a walking problem. We have parking, just not where people want to go because it’s not near the facilities they need.”
Another focus for Pitt State is the area north of the residence halls and south of Quincy Street. The area is bounded on the east by Mount Olive Cemetery and the west by Joplin Street.
PSU has purchased nine homes in that area, all except for three homes at the north end that face Quincy Street.
Erwin said there are “some discussions” with the property owners in regards to those properties.
Unlike the other focus, this area will not have a parking focus. This area will be turned into a new residence hall that will help alleviate some on-campus housing issues PSU is facing.
“We feel because of strong enrollment and the fact that we are underbuilt in university housing, we feel we will fill up to capacity in no time,” Erwin said. “Right now, we are overfilled. This would provide more room. We want it to be attractive to upperclassmen.”
That’s not to say there will be no parking whatsoever. In the area north of Grubbs Hall, 200 additional parking spaces will be created. In the area surrounding the proposed residence hall, about more 200 parking spaces will be added.
Questions have been raised about whether the purchases will affect property values in the surrounding area.
Mike Montgomery, Crawford County appraiser, said he believes there will be minimal effect on surrounding property values.
“We sure have not seen those values go down,” Montgomery said. “If someone put a parking lot in the middle of a big exclusive neighborhood, then that could affect property values. But there near Pitt State, we have seen little to no effect.”
On the other hand, Montgomery sees a chance for property values to rise a bit.
“In my opinion, properties nearest to the university might see a slight increase,” Montgomery said. “Say someone has the home right adjacent to the university. The university wants to buy it, but they don’t want to sell it. That could change the property value in a little bit.”
Erwin said appraisers have been a big part of the purchasing process. In fact, appraisers are required.
According to regulations, the university hires their own appraiser, and the property owner hires their own appraiser.
The university cannot go beyond the highest appraisal, and Erwin said the university often uses local appraisers who abide by the licenses and standards of their profession.
Erwin said many homeowners have worked willingly with Pittsburg State, and a few have even approached Pitt State about the issue.
As for future expansion, Erwin said there are no particular plans for growth, but PSU will keep their eyes open.
“We will look at the opportunities as they present themselves,” Erwin said.
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
PITTSBURG —
