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PITTSBURG —
If it were easy to sell incoming businesses on the former Superior Industries building in Pittsburg, it would have been sold already.
But the fact that it does not have a permanent occupant more than three years after the company left town is a testament to the difficulty surrounding the site.
“Basically, we have to have someone that needs 500,000 square feet for distribution or that plans on hiring 500-700 people for manufacturing, and there’s not really a lot looking to do that,” said Mark Turnbull, Pittsburg economic development director. “The only reason they would need a building that size is if they needed a work force that big. There’s not a lot of companies that need that much space.”
Over the years, there have certainly been a number of inquiries. Late last year, Jake’s Fireworks was in negotiations to use the site as a distribution center. But none of the applicants have been enough to pull the trigger on taking over the massive site.
“We’ve had interest. We’ll continue to have interest through the Department of Commerce,” Turnbull said. “We haven’t had any hit.”
Unfortunately, Turnbull said one thing that might not seem obvious can be a hindrance to getting the Superior building — highways.
Specifically, Turnbull mentioned the lack of a four-lane highway in and out of Pittsburg, which helps cut down on potential transportation costs.
“That’s why the (U.S.) Highway 69 corridor is so important to us,” he said. “It’s the ability to move products. It’s logistics and transportation.”
At this time, the Superior building is still the Superior building. Security for the company patrols the building, and there are some products in the location. Materials are occasionally moved in and out. Turnbull is hopeful that some day, the building will have a more permanent occupant.
“The economy appears to be improving a little bit,” Turnbull said. “There’s a lot of growth potential. There’s no date established for another company moving in.
Superior has not given any indication for when it could be filled. It will take time and the right group in filling a facility that size. It’s still one of the biggest facilities in Kansas, other than Boeing.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
If it were easy to sell incoming businesses on the former Superior Industries building in Pittsburg, it would have been sold already.
But the fact that it does not have a permanent occupant more than three years after the company left town is a testament to the difficulty surrounding the site.
“Basically, we have to have someone that needs 500,000 square feet for distribution or that plans on hiring 500-700 people for manufacturing, and there’s not really a lot looking to do that,” said Mark Turnbull, Pittsburg economic development director. “The only reason they would need a building that size is if they needed a work force that big. There’s not a lot of companies that need that much space.”
Over the years, there have certainly been a number of inquiries. Late last year, Jake’s Fireworks was in negotiations to use the site as a distribution center. But none of the applicants have been enough to pull the trigger on taking over the massive site.
“We’ve had interest. We’ll continue to have interest through the Department of Commerce,” Turnbull said. “We haven’t had any hit.”
Unfortunately, Turnbull said one thing that might not seem obvious can be a hindrance to getting the Superior building — highways.
Specifically, Turnbull mentioned the lack of a four-lane highway in and out of Pittsburg, which helps cut down on potential transportation costs.
“That’s why the (U.S.) Highway 69 corridor is so important to us,” he said. “It’s the ability to move products. It’s logistics and transportation.”
At this time, the Superior building is still the Superior building. Security for the company patrols the building, and there are some products in the location. Materials are occasionally moved in and out. Turnbull is hopeful that some day, the building will have a more permanent occupant.
“The economy appears to be improving a little bit,” Turnbull said. “There’s a lot of growth potential. There’s no date established for another company moving in.
Superior has not given any indication for when it could be filled. It will take time and the right group in filling a facility that size. It’s still one of the biggest facilities in Kansas, other than Boeing.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
