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Downtown advisory board highlights events, lighting and alley improvements as downtown grows
Summary
The Downtown Advisory Board reported on 2024 events, streetscape and safety priorities and recommended continued city support for lighting, parking signage and property rehabilitation as downtown gains new businesses and redevelopment projects.
The Downtown Advisory Board presented its annual report to the Pittsburg City Commission, highlighting events, streetscape work and a multi-pronged strategy to make the downtown area more inviting and to support new businesses.
Board chair Tree Molchan and co-chair Stephanie Watts told commissioners the group’s priorities include improved lighting and alleyway upgrades, more downtown events and better parking signage. The board reported 9 new businesses opened, 8 businesses relocated or expanded, and 12 active redevelopment projects in the downtown area.
"We basically represent downtown. We work through every issue," Tree Molchan said, describing the board’s monthly meetings and its focus on beautification, events and business support. Co-chair Stephanie Watts described the board’s events program, including the 6-20 block party (held June 20), Small Business Saturday promotions and the tree lighting ceremony that attracted between 800 and 1,000 attendees in its most recent year.
The board cited several accomplishments and near-term projects: placement of additional benches, acquisition and siting of bike racks using an $8,800 Live Well county grant, new sidewalk signs, and plans to test lower-level banner lighting sourced from a Parsons vendor. Board members said the group is working with the Pittsburg Police Department on a downtown lighting review and exploring inexpensive ways to brighten alleys and parking areas to improve safety.
The advisory board also outlined outreach plans, including a new “downtown connect” mixer to bring property owners, business owners and renters together. The presentation urged continued city investment in downtown rehabilitation: the board reported about 30 empty storefronts or buildings, eight dilapidated or endangered structures and three vacant lots in the downtown overlay.
"We are a group of doers. We like get it done, and we like to see action," Watts said, noting that efforts such as a holiday window display contest and a targeted passport program for Small Business Saturday encouraged spending at small businesses.
Ending: Board members asked the commission to continue supporting downtown-specific grants and public improvements as a way to capitalize on momentum from recent openings and redevelopment activity. They invited commissioners and citizens to attend monthly meetings (third Monday, rotating downtown locations).
