The Quarterly Fort Scott Downtown Meet and Greet met this morning to have conversations about the happenings in the historic downtown district.

Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce CEO, led the discussions.

Those that made comments included:

Rob Harrington, CEO of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. on the former Mercy Hospital building.

The Legacy Group Health Foundation will have a new cardiologist and urologist coming to Fort Scott and are looking for a few doctors for a clinic, he said.

Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, said he is part of a group that is looking to have a Christmas event downtown, instead of a Christmas in the Park and is seeking public input.

Matkin said he is having plans drawn up for parking improvements in the downtown area and is also working on plans for improving Memorial Hall downtown.

Kathy Dancer, owner of the former Scottish Rite Temple, said a cafe in the building is planned for a spring opening, along with a small retail space.

Bailey Lyons, who is renovating a downtown building on Main Street, said she is anticipating a completion by fall. She is part of a group that will open a fully licensed kitchen in the building.

Angie Simon, Bids and Dibs Consignment Store, said she is doing some remodeling since a carpenter became available and is planning on opening Jan. 16.

Joe’ Fritteris opening a new business at First and Wall Street, called Open Mortgage, on Feb. 1.

Megan Vyhlidal is opening a new chiropractic business in Fort Scott around Feb. 1.

Sandra Davis, Davis Accounting, said their business is remodeling both the Bartlesmeyer business building on South National Avenue and their store front downtown on North Main Street.

Lindsay Madison said there is online voting going on from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team for an archway design for the historic downtown area. She also said the grant received from T-Mobile will possibly be used for a canopy over a parking lot area in Skubitz Plaza, and used for farmer’s market events and other events.

Baily Lyons, Lyons Realty Group, said the splash pad project is coming to fruition with the ordering of elements for the splash pad, which will also be located on Skubitz Plaza, at the north end of Main Street.

Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there will be new events this year, such as dark sky events and climate change events.

Additional info from the meeting:

Friday, April 21 is the downtown clean-up day.

There is an open Chamber Coffee time slot available for Jan. 19.

Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneur Event will be Feb. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team office. RSVP on Eventbrite.

The Small Business Development Center is open at the HBCAT office.

Two grants are available for downtown businesses, please contact the Chamber for more details.