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PITTSBURG —
The Pittsburg downtown has had a number of changes since the last formal downtown revitalization committee meeting, which was close to Labor Day.
Nearly half a dozen businesses have opened up downtown, and more may be on the way.
“I think it’s exciting,” said Judy Westhoff, downtown development director. “When people talk about vacant buildings, all I see are businesses opening. I’m thrilled by it.”
The list of downtown businesses has something else working for it — depth. The antique store “Dapper” has opened up, as has Signet Coffee Roasters. Paintless Dent and Repair marks one end of Broadway, and Hospice Care has arrived at 606A N. Broadway. Furthermore, a vacuum cleaner/repair business is expected sometime mid-2012, and New York Life is in the process of opening in the downtown area.
That’s not to mention the purchase of the National Bank Building by the Colonial Fox Theater Foundation.
But businesses are not the only thing changed in the downtown area. Danny Herman, who rents a downtown apartment, was invited to talk to the committee about his experiences. Herman, in his first semester at the Pittsburg State, said that downtown is a place students should embrace.
“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I love going to shops and bars close enough to walk to,” Herman said. “I wish there were a larger younger population downtown to share the culture. When my family comes, they want to go to the shops and stores, and when my friends come, they want to go to shops and bars. I really enjoy living in the downtown.”
Discussion then turned toward what the next steps should or could be for the area. That was particularly in light of information that there is only $14,299 left in the funds for facade grants.
Westhoff and others talked about the possibility for a future facade grant, and where that money could be used. One idea that came to the forefront was to incorporate the facade grants and improvements to sidewalks, particularly on the side streets throughout the downtown area.
Another idea was to improve the lighting on the side streets and alleys of downtown, as it was noted several times that the Pittsburg downtown is “linear.”
Westhoff also mentioned a recent trip to the Kansas Downtown Symposium, which was held in Independence.
“We took a bus tour on the first day to Parsons, Coffeyville, Chanute, Bartlesville (Okla.) and Independence,” Westhoff said. “We did a lot of walking, but it was good to compare what things are happening in other places. I felt good about what we were doing here. It’s also good to know what others are doing so we can use some of those ideas here.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
The Pittsburg downtown has had a number of changes since the last formal downtown revitalization committee meeting, which was close to Labor Day.
Nearly half a dozen businesses have opened up downtown, and more may be on the way.
“I think it’s exciting,” said Judy Westhoff, downtown development director. “When people talk about vacant buildings, all I see are businesses opening. I’m thrilled by it.”
The list of downtown businesses has something else working for it — depth. The antique store “Dapper” has opened up, as has Signet Coffee Roasters. Paintless Dent and Repair marks one end of Broadway, and Hospice Care has arrived at 606A N. Broadway. Furthermore, a vacuum cleaner/repair business is expected sometime mid-2012, and New York Life is in the process of opening in the downtown area.
That’s not to mention the purchase of the National Bank Building by the Colonial Fox Theater Foundation.
But businesses are not the only thing changed in the downtown area. Danny Herman, who rents a downtown apartment, was invited to talk to the committee about his experiences. Herman, in his first semester at the Pittsburg State, said that downtown is a place students should embrace.
“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I love going to shops and bars close enough to walk to,” Herman said. “I wish there were a larger younger population downtown to share the culture. When my family comes, they want to go to the shops and stores, and when my friends come, they want to go to shops and bars. I really enjoy living in the downtown.”
Discussion then turned toward what the next steps should or could be for the area. That was particularly in light of information that there is only $14,299 left in the funds for facade grants.
Westhoff and others talked about the possibility for a future facade grant, and where that money could be used. One idea that came to the forefront was to incorporate the facade grants and improvements to sidewalks, particularly on the side streets throughout the downtown area.
Another idea was to improve the lighting on the side streets and alleys of downtown, as it was noted several times that the Pittsburg downtown is “linear.”
Westhoff also mentioned a recent trip to the Kansas Downtown Symposium, which was held in Independence.
“We took a bus tour on the first day to Parsons, Coffeyville, Chanute, Bartlesville (Okla.) and Independence,” Westhoff said. “We did a lot of walking, but it was good to compare what things are happening in other places. I felt good about what we were doing here. It’s also good to know what others are doing so we can use some of those ideas here.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
