Prior to the 2024 Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, Mayor Stephen Coulter shared a “state of the city” address with community members in attendance.
“Today, I want to thank all of you for coming today to hear about what was achieved in 2024 and to share with you our visions moving forward regarding future projects in 2025,” he stated.
Mayor Coulter noted the changes the city had seen in 2024, including staff changes and change in directions as the city council was united to move forward with progressive and forward decision-making for the City.
In March of 2024, the city of Eureka welcomed Joel Laws as the new city administrator “He challenged us to unify in understanding what goals and accomplishments we were wanting to achieve.” Some of these challenging changes have included: -Management transition at our Airport -Strategic plan to repair and fix our roads, streets, storm sewers and sidewalks. (This can now be achieved, thanks to the voters passing the renewal of a street sales tax in November.)
-Purchasing the equipment we need to fix our streets, investing in a total patcher.
-Pursuing grants to help improve our streets, sidewalks, housing, Community Center, economic and community development and Memorial Hall. -Engineering assessment done on Eureka Lake’s dam and found it to be in compliance.
-Serviced all of the City’s emergency storm sirens -Received the grant funding through the state to install a fiber network throughout Eureka and began the installation process through Ideatek.
-Fixed sewers throughout the community by refurbishing manhole covers and relining existing sewer lines in Eastbrook.
-Acquiring adjacent land next to the cemetery for possible cemetery or industrial park expansion -Acquiring remaining property north of the fire station with the intent to raise all of the structures and eventually build a new city fire station.
Now, as the city begins to move into 2025 and beyond, Mayor Coulter personally invited all who wish to be a party of the City’s Comprehensive Plan to come forward and visit with any of the council members. “We are looking to build a steering committee of citizens and business owners in the community to help us build our long-term strategic plan.” Plans are to continue to: improve the condition of the streets of Eureka; work to complete the sidewalk along River Street; work toward a plan to replace the water and sewer lines; complete the installation of highspeed fiber optic internet expanded throughout the entire City; develop plans for the Mainstreet infrastructure; develop a Housing Plan to help revitalize homes in the community and create even more affordable housing options as well as middle-income housing; work with the County on projects to help improve City and County Infrastructure; demolish the future location for the fire station as well as planning for what it will be; increase the building fund for Memorial Hall to complete the following projects: window project, electrical, heating and air conditioning, expanding the bathrooms, replacing the floor and sidewalks around the facility); and develop Eureka Downs with the help of Greenwood County Commissioners, Greenwood County Fair Association, the 4H Foundation, Kansas Quarter Horse Association, the Greenwood County Community Center Board and making it a showplace for not only the City of Eureka but Greenwood County. He then thanked several community members. First and foremost the city staff and city council members; but, also expressed appreciation to those who serve the community in both elected, appointed and volunteer positions.
“Eureka is getting better because of the efforts of all of these groups and many more…I cannot thank you all enough for what you have done and continue to do, so I will just simply say that you are very appreciated. In closing, he invited all to attend the 100th Birthday Celebration of Memorial Hall, which was held on Dec. 9. In honor of the 100th anniversary, commemorative holiday ornaments are being sold. Proceeds from the fundraiser will assist in renovations of Memorial Hall.
