Stage store expected to return as part of new South Main Shopping Center

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The wait is over -- the list of tenants that will occupy the old Wal-Mart building have been announced.

Fort Scott Director of Economic Development Dale Bunn announced during Tuesday evening's meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission that four new businesses moving into the recently renovated space next to Tractor Supply Company.

Businesses to be housed in what is being called the South Main Shopping Center are Rent-A-Center, Family Dollar, Hibbett Sports and a Stage department store. Bunn said Rent-A-Center will be moving from a different location in Fort Scott and that Stage -- previously in Fort Scott -- will be returning.

"Stage returns from being out of the market several years, but Fort Scott had been one of their most successful locations when they were here," Bunn said in a statement issued at the meeting. "Stage had left because they were restructuring and all stores in communities the size of Fort Scott were closed. Now they have reorganized and are excited about the return."

Bunn said in the statement development partners Phil Bundy, of Wichita, and Stephen Streubing, of Junction City, had planned to wait longer, but realized the community was eager to know who would be moving in.

"We planned to wait a little longer before we announced the tenants, but realize there is so much excitement about the project in Fort Scott, we needed to get some information out," Bundy said.

Bunn added that the developers are not yet releasing when the retailers will open their doors.

Creation of the shopping center was given a boost when the commission approved the creation of a Community Improvement District in May. With the district's implementation, the retailers moving into the building would charge a one cent sales tax, excluding Tractor Supply Company, which would go to pay for renovation and construction.

There are two remaining spaces available and developers are currently in negotiations with possible tenants, Bunn said at the meeting.

In other business:

* Fort Scott Mayor Dick Hedges proclaimed Oct. 19 as First Friends Day in recognition of the event hosted by the Friends of the Fort organization to commend those who worked to restore the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

* Gave 30 days for the repair or removal of the property at 115 S. Little. Fort Scott Codes Administrator Kent Hamlin said he has received numerous complaints about the property, including that it is unsecured and that the roof and exterior are deteriorating. He added that there has been a fire at the property and unauthorized entry into the structure. The property owner told Hamlin there are no plans to maintain it. After the 30-day period, demolition of the structure will go out to bid.

* Gave 90 days for the repair or removal of property at 523 S. Broadway. Hamlin said he has not been able to contact the owner and that he has received numerous complaints about it. He said the property is unsecured, the electrical wiring is not up to code and the city has had to mow the lawn twice. After the 90-day period, if no improvement is made, demolition of the structure will be put to bid.

* Gave 90 days for the repair or removal of the property at 1024 W. Fifth St. Hamlin said the structure is "extremely deteriorated." He added no contact has been made by the property owner. If no improvement has been made after 90 days, demolition of the structure will go out to bid.

* Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin was given authority by the commission to use city staff to go through requests for qualifications for various projects and narrow them down to the top two or three before presenting them to the commission for consideration. Fort Scott City Commissioner Gary Bukowski said that he does not think that the commission has struggled with the task of going through the RFQs in the past, however, he feels the decision is a good one.