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Resident urges council to preserve "big tin" cotton gin as community landmark
Summary
During public comment at the May 22 Queen Creek council meeting, resident Tori Coben urged the council to support preservation of the town's Big Tin Cotton Gin, saying it is a community gathering place and part of local heritage.
During the public-comment portion of the May 22 Queen Creek Town Council meeting, resident Tori Coben told the council she was "heartbroken" at the prospect of losing the Big Tin Cotton Gin and urged elected officials to explore preservation options.
Coben, who gave her address for the record, said the cotton gin "isn't just a building, it is a piece of Queen Creek's heart" and described the venue as a site for weddings, quinceañeras, baby showers and celebrations of life. She said the gin remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic to host memorial services when other venues were closed, which she said showed the venue's community value.
Coben asked the council to "open up a dialogue and help explore alternatives" that would keep the gin as part of Queen Creek's history. The mayor thanked her for the comment and noted that the council had taken the comment for the record; under Arizona law councilmembers did not provide a response during the public-comment period.
Coben's remarks were submitted as a live public comment; the mayor and staff acknowledged receipt but made no formal reply during the meeting.
No formal agenda item or staff report about the cotton gin appeared on the May 22 agenda, and the transcript records the comment only as public comment rather than a scheduled action item.
