A year in review: City reflects on 2025

As 2025 ends, attention turns to the possibilities and fresh momentum the new year will bring for the city of Pittsburg.

“Our city has experienced widespread growth this year,” Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall said. “Together, we made business expansion possible, continued downtown redevelopment, and made significant investments in research, technology, and retail. Public services and infrastructure saw notable improvements, while health and childcare providers expanded facilities and services to better support residents, and housing initiatives continued to add new homes and strengthen neighborhoods.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the city plans further infrastructure upgrades, new recreational amenities, major facility openings, and milestone celebrations that will continue to support Pittsburg’s long‑term progress and quality of life.

Expansion 

Several businesses expanded, including Pitt Plastics, which invested $18 million, APEX Stages, which invested $1.7 million, and PRG Professional, which invested $777,000.

Additionally, the City of Pittsburg partnered with Pittsburg State University’s initiative, Gorilla Rising, which will expand PSU’s footprint in the Block22 neighborhood. The goal is to strengthen the local business district and provide students with new and unique learning experiences. The projects are an investment of $20 million for the Besse Hotel and $30 million toward the Kelce College of Business.

Redevelopment

Several significant redevelopment projects contributed to local growth and revitalization efforts, including the $474,000 redevelopment of 311 S. Broadway, and the $455,900 redevelopment of 209 N. Broadway, which welcomed the new business El Patron Mexican Bar & Grill. Additional investments included $400,000 for the redevelopment of 506 N. Pine and another $400,000 for 106 E. 9th Street, now home to the new business Andiamo & Co. The redevelopment of 210 S. Broadway introduced the Pittsburg Cigar Company with an investment of $321,000, while the Biles Building at 211 N. Broadway saw a major $1 million transformation. Redevelopment efforts also continued at 818 N. Broadway at Possibility Junction.

Research and Development

Major investments in the research and development have continued to drive innovation and economic growth, highlighted by the $42 million KBI facility and the $12 million PSU prove‑out facility. Additional developments include the $10 million PSU Outdoor Track & Field project and Eagle Picher Technologies’ new $10 million facility.

Retail Development

Retail development continued to expand with the addition of ULTA, Rack Room Shoes, and Five Below, along with new local businesses such as Balkan, Pittsburg Nail Spa, Ollie’s, IHOP, Sullivan Book Arts, Marathon Graphics, and Bearded Bully Barbershop, which opened as the community rang in the new year in January 2025.

Public Services

Public services saw progress and investment throughout the year, including ongoing street paving, enhanced sanitation and trash services, and continued advancement on the $61 million Wastewater Treatment Project, which has reached 25 percent completion. Additional improvements include the construction of $575,000 pickleball courts, upgrades to golf course irrigation, expanded tree‑trimming efforts, $2 million in airport improvements, and continued development of the Wildcat Data Center, all contributing to stronger infrastructure and community amenities.

Health Care and Child Care

Significant investments in local health and care services continue to enhance community well‑being, including the construction of the new SEK Urgent Care facility valued at more than $800,000. The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas broke ground on Mount Carmel House. At an investment of $8 million, the Mount Carmel House is six-suite hospice house where people can spend their final days at no cost. This project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Crawford County Mental Health Center expanded child services downtown to 710 N. Broadway, allowing children in crisis to walk in with their family, enroll in services and meet with a therapist. Kannarr Eye Care expanded into a new $650,000 location, while the Family Resource Center completed a $2 million expansion at its hospital site. Additional developments include the $6 million Grow at Eden childcare facility at Washington School, the opening of Downtown TRT & Wellness at 606 N. Broadway, and continued service growth through Whole Human, all contributing to a stronger and more accessible health network.

Housing

Over the past ten years, since the inception of the Land Bank, it has achieved significant milestones, including the sale of 71 total properties and the development or planned construction of 43 homes. The program has also facilitated the sale of eight commercial or mixed-use properties and supported nine City Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) applications on Land Bank lots. Since January 2025, when the City Commission approved the CHIP program, a total of 10 homes have been built or are being built.

Community Events

Across city events and activities hosted by various partner organizations, an estimated 17,000 attendees participated throughout the year. These events included Artwalk, the Earth Day Celebration, 620 Day, the 4th of July Festival, the Little Balkans Festival, Paint the Town Red, the PSU Homecoming Parade, Halloween window painting, the Turkey Trot, the Christmas Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday, and the Christmas Parade.

A look ahead in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the community anticipates several major initiatives, including the development of new soccer fields, improvements to the Quincy and Free Kings Highway intersection, upgrades at 4th and Joplin, and enhancements to local ball fields.

The year will also feature celebrations for Pittsburg’s 150th anniversary and the grand openings of the Kelce and Besse facilities. Significant projects such as the KBI, Eagle Picher, and Prove Out facilities are expected to be completed, alongside continued development of Silverback Landing.

Additional priorities include advancing a community center project, implementing street lighting improvements, completing airport pavement upgrades, making concrete improvements at Fire Station #2, rolling out a new financial management system, and launching an upgraded city website.

This comprehensive list of accomplishments reflects our community’s commitment to growth with the aim of making Pittsburg a destination where people can live, work and play.