PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg Mayor Pam Henderson doesn’t have a wall-size city map with pins stuck in it to track projects, but if she did, there would be pins in every quadrant.
Work begins today on the second phase of the downtown streetscape project after Sprouls Construction Inc. — contractor for the $1.3 million Phase 1 — came in with what Henderson described as “a lower bid by quite a bit.” Officially, it was $140,000 less than the next-lowest bid, and more than $200,000 less than the engineer’s estimate.
Weather, again, will be the key factor in determining when the project begins and when it will end.
Like the first phase, the second phase includes historical lighting, sidewalks lined in brick, and store-front trees, benches and trash cans.
Other work
n Broadway itself will get a face-lift this month when crews begin relaying asphalt on the roadway, finishing up in time for the Oct. 18 Pittsburg State University homecoming parade.
n Rain had been a headache for Pat Clement, director of the Pittsburg Public Library, but she didn’t mind it last week since the historic building’s roof project is complete.
“It’s a big relief,” she said. Mid-America Roofing took off the copper roof and found the source of continued leaks underneath.
n Those who live or work in south Pittsburg are eager for the completion of the hiking and biking trail, which should be done “any day now,” Henderson said. The path connects an existing paved path at Pittsburg State University that ends near the Veterans Memorial on Rouse Avenue to the Mount Carmel area on Centennial. The trail then goes west to Joplin Avenue near Meadowbrook Mall, Ron’s IGA and Community National Bank, then north to PSU’s Brandenburg Stadium.
Improved safety
Pittsburg High School students, parents and teachers, along with everyone else, are happy to see work completed at the intersection of Fourth and Rouse streets.
“It’s pretty much done; just minor things to take care of,” Henderson said. “The good news is we will be adding a protective turn lane after the state (crews) moves out.”
That intersection had earned the distinction of being the most dangerous in Pittsburg and was chosen as the first to widen, Henderson said. The second most dangerous intersection is Fourth and Walnut streets, where construction started a few weeks ago in an attempt to widen it and make it safer.
As for the third most dangerous intersection, 20th Street and Broadway, the mayor said work will have to wait.
“We were eligible for money but turned it down last year,” Henderson said. “We’re looking at it in the future, but we don’t have the matching money needed right now.”
On tap for Tuesday’s City Commission meeting:
n Discussion of awarding bids for new radio consoles for the Pittsburg Police Department.
n A study session with a telecommunications consultant about a possible enhanced-911 plan and a new telephone communication system citywide to provide faster response time for emergency personnel.
Local News
Andra Stefanoni: Pittsburg ponders projects
- Local News
-
-
Couple 'scoop out' ice cream business from the past
When 3-year-old Brynlee Rabel tried coconut ice cream for the first time Tuesday, it was love at first taste. “She got the vanilla, but when she tasted my coconut ice cream she had to have it,” said Kayleigh Daugherty, a Joplin resident who wanted Brynlee to share the same experience she had as a little girl when she visited Anderson’s Ice Cream.
-
Missouri National Guard releases records involving soldiers who looted from Wal-Mart
The Missouri National Guard has released records confirming that four soldiers were disciplined for taking merchandise from the ruins of a Wal-Mart store in Joplin one day after the tornado that devastated the city a year ago.
-
Joplin school board awards contract to complete demolition of JHS
The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday night accepted a bid for finishing tornado-related demolition at the high school.
-
Auditor cites, commission covers potential shortfall in Jasper County sheriff’s budget
The Jasper County Commission on Tuesday approved the transfer of $23,000 onto the Law Enforcement Sales Tax fund available to the sheriff’s office to cover a potential budget shortfall.
-
Joplin METS director requests space for additional ambulance
If all goes like METS Director Jason Smith hopes, this time next year the service will have two ambulances in Webb City, housed in their own station. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Smith requested that the council allow the Joplin-based Metro Emergency Transport System to rent or lease space at the former public works building, 110 E. Church St.
-
Mike Pound: Food competitions combine to make culinary heaven
It’s such a great idea, you wonder why someone didn’t think of it before. In fact, it’s such a good idea that it’s possible it came about by accident.
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
- More Local News Headlines
-
