Pullman Park authority dissolves
After months of communication and work from all parties, the management agreement between the City of Butler and Butler Area School District for Historic Pullman Park, formerly Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park, is clear to go into effect on July 1.
Mayor Bob Dandoy informed city council on Thursday, June 26, the City of Butler Parks Recreational Grounds and Facilities Authority, also known as the Pullman Park board, has officially dissolved.
He explained the authority met on June 17 with three members, a quorum, in attendance. They unanimously approved three separate agenda items: to accept the management agreement, to transfer the park and its assets to the city and, finally, to dissolve.
“In addition, the city has brought the authority’s financial obligations current, including payoff of the mortgage; and the solicitor is working toward finalizing the dissolution of the authority,” Dandoy informed council.
City solicitor Tom Breth said not all assets have been fully transferred yet.
“The real estate needs to be transferred via deed,” he said. “All of the fixtures and equipment will be taken over by the school district under the management agreement.”
Final approval of the authority’s dissolution must be processed by the state, Breth said.
Now that the agreement is clear to move forward, Dandoy said the city and school district are looking to begin work on the park.
“Later in the summer, the city and school district will begin major renovations and repairs at Pullman Park, including the total replacement of the existing artificial turf,” he said.
Previously, repair costs for the stadium, primarily the turf, were estimated to be around $400,000. However, Breth said at the May 15 city forum meeting the city may be able to receive reduced costs on repairs, thanks to the district’s vendors.
Dandoy said that despite the transfer of park operation to the school, the park’s events in the month of July should not be impacted. He also took the time to thank everyone who has served on the authority for their commitment to the park.
