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PITTSBURG —
The Pittsburg City Commissioners who filed or didn’t file for re-election is probably the third or fourth most notable thing that happened this week involving the commission. In any other week, two of the three longest tenured city commissioners opting not to run for re-election would undoubtedly be biggest city-related news story.
Marty Beezley, a mainstay of the commission this millennium (she’s been in office since 2001), and Rudy Draper, who has been on the commission since 2007, could not be more different in the way they act during city meetings. Draper is quiet, almost like the Pittsburg City Commission’s version of the Supreme Court’s Clarence Thomas, speaking only when absolutely necessary or to give a particular argument more credence. Beezley, on the other hand, speaks freely and often, setting the tone for discussion or asking strong questions that need answers. The commission has been well served by both approaches and it will be strange to see commission meetings without them.
But their decisions were overshadowed by a wave of good news at the city level.
First and foremost, the city commission found a homegrown company to purchase the McNally building.
The complex is vast, sprawling and full of opportunities for CDL Electric. The building has sat vacant for more than 11 years, just waiting to be utilized. For the city, that’s been 11 years with a major complex out of use. The Superior building, another giant space for industry, didn’t sit without a resident for even half that time before being purchased by Jake’s Fireworks.
Not only does the purchase of the McNally building take a sign of industrial dormancy and turn it into a thriving workspace, but it also displays the sign of growth from a local company. CDL Electric is a big leaguer, and it needed a building of this size to properly show it.
Further, as commissioner Patrick O’Bryan noted, there’s nothing more green than using existing materials rather than build something new. Filling the McNally building is better for the environment and local pocketbooks than building a brand-new facility.
But sometimes a brand-new facility can bring incredible results, which is why we applaud the city’s agreement with Pittsburg State to build a new event center/indoor track.
Whereas the McNally building was just waiting for someone to occupy it, likewise there is a need for a facility like this in Pittsburg, and it’s just been waiting for someone to build it.
The Pittsburg City Commissioners who filed or didn’t file for re-election is probably the third or fourth most notable thing that happened this week involving the commission. In any other week, two of the three longest tenured city commissioners opting not to run for re-election would undoubtedly be biggest city-related news story.
Marty Beezley, a mainstay of the commission this millennium (she’s been in office since 2001), and Rudy Draper, who has been on the commission since 2007, could not be more different in the way they act during city meetings. Draper is quiet, almost like the Pittsburg City Commission’s version of the Supreme Court’s Clarence Thomas, speaking only when absolutely necessary or to give a particular argument more credence. Beezley, on the other hand, speaks freely and often, setting the tone for discussion or asking strong questions that need answers. The commission has been well served by both approaches and it will be strange to see commission meetings without them.
But their decisions were overshadowed by a wave of good news at the city level.
First and foremost, the city commission found a homegrown company to purchase the McNally building.
The complex is vast, sprawling and full of opportunities for CDL Electric. The building has sat vacant for more than 11 years, just waiting to be utilized. For the city, that’s been 11 years with a major complex out of use. The Superior building, another giant space for industry, didn’t sit without a resident for even half that time before being purchased by Jake’s Fireworks.
Not only does the purchase of the McNally building take a sign of industrial dormancy and turn it into a thriving workspace, but it also displays the sign of growth from a local company. CDL Electric is a big leaguer, and it needed a building of this size to properly show it.
Further, as commissioner Patrick O’Bryan noted, there’s nothing more green than using existing materials rather than build something new. Filling the McNally building is better for the environment and local pocketbooks than building a brand-new facility.
But sometimes a brand-new facility can bring incredible results, which is why we applaud the city’s agreement with Pittsburg State to build a new event center/indoor track.
Whereas the McNally building was just waiting for someone to occupy it, likewise there is a need for a facility like this in Pittsburg, and it’s just been waiting for someone to build it.
The event center can bring conventions and track meets to Pittsburg. Those track meets and conventions are not just the run-of-the-mill category, either, but the top-notch, national-level events. Pittsburg was already on the map, but a facility like this might make the dot a little bigger.
With all those events and tournaments, it becomes an economic development driver. All those athletes or convention participants will need somewhere to eat, stay the night, shop and more.
We’re also happy that the city doesn’t have to take on debt to finance the deal. Everyone got what they wanted in the deal. PSU got the funds it needed to help build the facility ($5 million total over 20 years), while the city commission got to promote economic development and create a stronger tie with the university while spreading out the cost over two decades.
Finally, there’s one more notable move this week. The commission approved moving forward on a grant application for a new trail, which would effectively connect Pittsburg Community Middle School and Pittsburg High School. While a trail is not enough to single-handedly make or break anyone’s vision of the city, it is one of those things that potential employees or potential business owners look for in a thriving town. We look forward to hearing whether the city receives the grant or not.
It’s been an exciting week for Pittsburg city leadership. So much so that we didn’t even discuss the resolution of the trash issue, with haulers pleased and the city pleased.
Perhaps all the action this week will leave one more group pleased -- residents.
For the Morning Sun
