Development News for Pittsburg, Kansas

Two Pine Street Intersections to Become Four-Way Stops for Enhanced Safety

The commission approved the traffic advisory board's request to convert two intersections on Pine Street (16th and Pine, and 18th and Pine) into four-way stops. This decision aims to improve safety, particularly due to increased traffic and the presence of children in the vicinity, with comparisons made to similar safety measures implemented around Lakeside Elementary School. The city will install new signs and utilize public outreach, including press releases and social media, to inform the public about the changes. The police department may also increase presence in the area, especially as school resumes.

Downtown Advisory Board Presents Annual Report, Discusses Future Initiatives and Community Concerns

The Downtown Advisory Board (DAB) presented their annual report, highlighting their support for various community events, efforts in lighting and pedestrian safety, and current projects in marketing and event planning. Key initiatives discussed include the downtown visitor map, website updates, and major events like 620 Day and Small Business Saturday. Future goals include promoting downtown as a regional destination, supporting the arts, finding solutions for trees, extending streetscapes, and implementing welcome arches and music. The board meets monthly and encourages community involvement. Discussions also touched upon concerns regarding storefront disrepair, the challenges of encouraging property owners to make improvements, and the ongoing debate about the presence and impact of trees downtown, particularly regarding bird droppings and safety. The board is exploring options for incorporating public art, including structures beyond murals, and is working with the Art Council on various initiatives. They also discussed the logistics and reversed route for the upcoming 4th of July parade to avoid conflicts with the farmers market. Regarding lighting, the DAB is exploring options to improve illumination through decorative light poles and potential color-changing capabilities. The idea of installing a welcome arch was also discussed, with emphasis on its cost and engineering requirements. Budgetary details for events like 620 Day and Pitt 150 were clarified, and concerns about low turnout for the Pitt 150th celebration were raised, with potential contributing factors including time, weather, and accessibility issues. The board affirmed strong participation from downtown business owners, particularly through events like Downtown Connect, and emphasized the importance of ongoing communication.

City Approves 2026 Housing Choice Voucher Plan Amid Funding Challenges and Long Waitlists

The commission approved the 2026 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan for the Pittsburgh Public Housing Authority. This annual review involved making necessary changes to the plan, with significant updates related to income verification, reporting requirements for tenants, and the inspection process, which has been delayed to February 1, 2027. The changes are driven by federal regulations from HUD and policies from Nan McKay, a company that interprets HUD guidelines. While HUD does not directly consult local housing authorities on these changes, local authorities can implement stricter policies than HUD, but not looser ones. The plan does not negatively impact currently housed tenants, primarily affecting operational procedures. The waiting list for housing assistance is currently about two years long, attributed to a combination of federal funding decreases and high local rents. The authority is actively trying to manage the backlog and is focusing on limiting participants with zero income to potentially free up funding. Landlord participation is also a concern, and the authority has created a new landlord guidance manual to encourage involvement. Federal funding is decreasing, but the authority aims to avoid using general fund money. They are unable to add new tenants due to funding constraints but can maintain existing ones. The program requires tenants with income to pay up to 30% of their income towards rent. The housing authority's annual budget is approximately $1.6 million, primarily from Section 8 funding.

Washington School CDBG Project Closure Delayed to May 2026 Due to LMI Reporting Requirements

A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project at the Washington School has been completed, but its closure is delayed until May 31, 2026. The delay is due to the requirement to report on 51% Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) occupancy in the new building, which is contingent on the daycare provider filling the new building after the historic building reaches capacity. The provider estimates enrollment reporting will be possible in the spring. An extension request will be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce. The project experienced delays initially due to issues with the construction bid process. The new completion date for closeout is May 31, 2026, with an additional 90 days allowed for final tasks, including LMI verification. The provider is confident in meeting this requirement. The project involves two entities: Eden Primary (non-profit) for the new building and Grow at Eden (for-profit) for the historic building. The city can apply for other CDBG grants once this one is closed out, although some grant types allow concurrent applications. The reason for the current delay is specifically the inability to report on LMI due to insufficient enrollment in the new building. The city is awaiting updated enrollment numbers and capacity details from the provider. The provider is accepting subsidies from DCF.