The Market Street Pavilion Project kicked off Wednesday evening at Skubitz Plaza, with the presentation of a $50,000 check to the City of Fort Scott from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile, a company that provides wireless voice and messaging services along with data services, will be opening a retail store in late November in the strip mall at the 2400 block of South Main Street. Scott Hunsaker will be the manager of that store.

Local officials and company officials gave brief speeches in recognition of the grant, Fort Scott Community College Cheerleaders were there along with the public. T-Mobile provided one Luther’s BBQ dinner to the first 50 people who attended the event.

The company has been granting and will continue to grant other small towns in the nation, to help with revitalization projects, according to Matt Lane, T-Mobile Market Manager.

Fort Scott was selected this year to receive one of those T-Mobile Hometown  Grants.

The Market Street Pavilion will be located west of the wooden square structure, north of downtown Fort Scott, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

To view the grant proposal from the city:

FortScott Hometown Grant Phase 1(1)

From the grant proposal:

“This project would return Market Street as a community place which was previously removed by Urban Renewal. It will improve underutilized green space and extend the use of the area for residents, and visitors including numerous events.
The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House.
The former Market Street was a central connection to the City from the original Fort grounds. Fort Scott’s downtown has
been the heart of the City since its discovery in 1842. Anchored by the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the purpose of this critical ground has changed over the years yet has maintained its extraordinary significance in history.

“Named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas History, the Fort is a legacy of the city’s involvement combined with congressional support overcoming a multitude of obstacles led by an impressive group of visionary citizens.”