Web posted
Friday, January 25, 2008
Margolius: City should take action
By JAMES JORDAN
Traveler Editor
* This is the third in a series of articles on the visions held by Arkansas City city commissioners.
City Commissioner Scott Margolius believes there has been an urgency to get development going in Arkansas City for some time. He believes that perhaps the big box controversy is something that will galvanize the people of the city and make things happen.
"Everyone wants something to happen. We all want growth. Everyone believes we have room to grow. If this is something that gets it going, then good will come of it," he said.
Margolius said there are still developers interested in coming to Arkansas City. He pointed to Walgreens as an example of a big store coming to town without a lot of incentives. He believes more will.
But he does not believe it will happen without action by the City Commission and by people in the city.
He said that while there are several entities working on development -- such as Cowley First -- none report directly to the City Commission.
He wants appointed boards to be more active in pursuing business for the city, and for the city itself to be more aggressive.
"We should also look at other cities, like Winfield. They have an industrial park," he said.
He noted that Winfield has a park and is giving land to developers. That puts them in a better position to take advantage of opportunities that come along.
He said there are also significant housing and labor issues that need to be addressed, along with economic development.
He would like to see a board created that would report directly to the city, and that would actively pursue business while working with other groups in the area who are also recruiting business and industry.
He said there also needs to be a commitment on the part of the community to shop in Arkansas City.
"People may need to change their shopping habits. They could give businesses in Arkansas City a chance first before going somewhere else to shop," he said.
Margolius believes it is essential that Arkansas City grow if it is to survive.
"There really is a lot happening. I think people are enthused," he added.
He would also like the city to help start a business incubator that could help people start businesses.
"The city can have a role in that," he said, but added that private citizens will also have to be involved.
He believes the city should focus on getting industrial development, or new industries, and that retail and housing will follow that development.
Margolius believes there are a lot of good things in Arkansas City.
"Sometimes I think people forget how good it really is here," he said of the city.
But he still sees the need for growth and to stop the decline both in population and in buildings and infrastructure.
He voted against the big box store, believing it was not a good deal for the town.
"If we put in four new stores a year, in seven years, that would be equivalent to the money a big box store might have brought to town," he said, and noted that more money would stay in Arkansas City if businesses are home-grown.
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