Pittsburg and Joplin City Goals for 2013
By: Jessica Schaer
Updated: January 3, 2013
PITTSBURG, KS.--- A new year could mean big changes for both the city of Joplin and Pittsburg.
"We want to create jobs. We want to re-invest in the housing infrastructure, we want to reinvest in the local businesses as much as we can," says Daron Hall, Pittsburg City Manager.
"We want to create jobs. We want to re-invest in the housing infrastructure, we want to reinvest in the local businesses as much as we can," says Daron Hall, Pittsburg City Manager.
That's just some of the goals Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall has for this year. City leaders are already getting a head start to make those happen. Over holiday break, they finalized plans to demolish the Econo Lodge at South Broadway within the next 60 to 90 days. The motel sustained heavy damage after a severe storm last February.
"My first goal was to get it out of there, and I think we've achieved that. The second will be to build a nice hotel, something that serves the community and we can build on," says Hall.
City leaders are also working to fill three empty positions.
"Assistant to the City Manager, the Finance Director position, and Fire Chief," says Hall.
In Joplin, the city begins 2013 with a budget of more than $100 million in the black. The approval of the Tax Increment Financing District just days before the new year has helped keep morale up.
"The things that we have in store with Wallce-Bajalli, what we're looking toward is over an excess of $800 million worth of projects," says Melodee Colbert-Kean, Joplin Mayor.
The mayor won't share any secrets just yet.
"Well of course we hear of businesses wanting to come into Joplin, however you just can't say it until they sign those papers. We have a few secrets coming," says Mayor Colbert-Kean.
Mayor Colbert-Kean also says the next order of business is for city leaders to discuss what to do about the 15th Street overpass that was removed from the Tiger Grant in December. That discussion will be at the next council meeting on Monday at city hall.
