Building 920: Much, much more than just "Really unfortunate"! (Updated, 03/26/2019)

The March 6 edition of our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, included an eye-opening, front-page color photo-supported article titled, “Blaze hits Great Plains building.” A very important reminder of fire’s destructive potential and the special challenges faced by firefighters during freezing temperatures.

As reported, half of Building 920, an approximately 50,000 square foot facility at Great Plains east of Parsons, was a total loss from an accidental fire the evening of March 4. As a matter of perspective, Bob Wood, Great Plains board chairman, reportedly stressed, “It was one of the best buildings that we had at the plant. It’s really unfortunate that we’ve lost it. It’s a big loss.” Mr. Wood also noted that the lessee of Building 920, Parsons Fertilizer, “wants to continue work with Great Plains”; “we have other buildings”; and “the board will continue to support the company.”

Respectfully—the reported loss of half of the relatively massive Building 920 facility is much, much more than just “really unfortunate.” For what has been lost, as reportedly the result of an accidental human-caused fire, is a structure left standing after years upon years of prior Kansas Army Ammunition Plant operations. An array of heavily human-intensive operations that once supported World War II; the Korean War; Vietnam War; Gulf War; and more recent Global War on Terrorism; etc. A Building 920 facility that after some 77 years was, until the evening of March 4, 2019, still available to support important job-creating efforts for Parsons and surrounding area.

Therefore, before the file is closed on this matter, those having a vested and/or otherwise community interest in the activities of Great Plains are clearly due further review and public reporting that, as a minimum, addresses the following concerns:

(1.) In keeping with the reality that “accidents don’t just happen, they are caused”—what corrective and preventative safety measures have been taken to ensure, for example, that other “best buildings at Great Plains” are not hereafter destroyed by other accidental fires?

(2.) The source of funds used in past and future-planned Great Plains Board support of Parsons Fertilizer?

(3.) Further public explanation of the reported “loss”—e.g., regarding the monetary value, insurance coverage, ownership status of the Building 920 facility, and specifically “to whom” does the experienced fire damage and related expenses ultimately represent a “monetary loss”?

Related Follow-up Notes:

(1.) On March 08, 2019 the above narrative was submitted as a Public Mind article to our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, but not published. Thereafter, above narrative was put in formal letter format and, on 03/16/2019, U.S. mailed to Mr. Bob Wood, Great Plains Board Chairman, with copies to Labette County Commission and Parsons City Commission.

(2.) The March 19, 2019 edition of the Parsons Sun included a related article titled, “Company hasn’t submitted financial info,” reporting in part that, “Parsons Fertilizer LLC has yet to provide financial information needed to continue its property tax abatement with the State Board of Tax Appeals . . . .”

(3.) The March 26, 2019 edition of the Parsons Sun included a related article titled, “County gets more details about Great Plains fire,” reporting in part that: (a.) the fire was caused when “A worker was pouring fuel in a generator and spilled it, . . .”; (b.) Parsons Fertilizer leased 48,539 square feet of space in areas 903, 904, and 920 . . . as was reported by the Sun in 2017 when the lease was announced; (c.) Parsons Fertilizer received a 10-year property tax exemption and was to file paperwork with the county to start the second year of that exemption but the paperwork was not completed; (d.) feedback from March 11 inspection of site by a Kansas Fire Marshal and Sheriff’s Deputy is still pending; (e.) as the result of the fire, the site is now contaminated with friable asbestos, a health hazard for those who would work at the site; (f.) Great Plains Property Manager has sent out Requests for Proposal, due April 4, for site clean-up; (g.) regarding liability insurance coverage, Mr. Bob Wood, Great Plains Board Chairman, reported that Parsons Fertilizer “was supposed to have it,” but “He didn’t have it.”; (h.) Commissioner Mr. Doug Allen suggested a lawsuit to help recoup cleanup cost; Mr. Wood asked that issue be discussed in closed session; but, since third-parties could not attend a closed-session, Mr. Wood said he could call Mr. Allen and discuss issue with him; (i.) “For now, Great Plains will pay for the cleanup.”

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A question that seems worth asking:  When Great Plains pays for the clean-up . . . who's money is being spent?

    —William James Moore     03/19/2019  (Updated 03/26/2019)