FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Al and Lu Niece did not come to Fort Scott looking to become part of the local conversation. A business acquisition brought them here. The brick streets, historic buildings and sense of possibility kept bringing them back.
Coming to Fort Scott
Al Niece said his connection to Fort Scott began more than a decade ago, when he and business partners Renee Clark and Pat Flanagan purchased Klein Products. Niece said the early goings were not easy.
"Within a couple weeks, [we] wondered what the hell have we done because it had a horrible reputation. Horrible," Niece said. "So the first thing we had to do is start cleaning the reputation up, cleaning the operation up."
Niece said they were able to stabilize the business thanks in large part to the employees.
"We were able to hang on to a lot of key employees that had been there before and saw what was happening and really appreciate what's been done now," Niece said.
As the business stabilized, Fort Scott itself began to grow on him. Niece, who grew up near a small Indiana town with brick streets, said downtown Fort Scott reminded him of the kind of place he had known as a child.
"So I immediately fell in love with the streets," Niece said, "and I kept telling Lu, 'We gotta go up and see — the kids walk everywhere. The only ones who talk about the crime are the ones who get arrested. It seems like a pretty good town.'"
The Payne Building
Niece said one building downtown had caught his eye from day one — the Payne Building at Sixth and Main. He eventually brought Lu, who had previously renovated buildings, up to see it, and the two began planning its restoration. The project has not gone exactly as planned.
"So I brought Lu up, and she said, 'Man,'" Niece said. "She's done buildings in Taylor, Texas, but not to the extent of this. So we put a budget together, and it lasted about six months."
Al said supply delays, structural issues and other problems pushed the restoration far beyond its original budget and timeline. The project ultimately took two and a half times the time and money originally projected.
Lu said she knew that the budget and scope of the project would exceed her husband's initial estimates.
"I knew that we were going to put in a lot more than what Al thought, and that's just because I've already done two buildings, and I have one that's on the National Registry," she said.
The Nieces are still pleased with the final results. The speakeasy on the building's bottom floor is set to have a soft opening in early July before opening to the public three nights a week soon thereafter.
Al said he does not want the business to be seen as an attempt to take customers from existing establishments such as Holmtown Pub, Crooner's or Sharky's.
"We all have our own group we're after," he said.
Al said he's especially pleased with the mission of the building's other business, Lu's Ice Cream, managed by former special education teacher Nikki Regan, which employs workers with disabilities.
"We love Nikki's concept of working with people who have special needs," Al said.
The Moody Building
Al's next hoped-for project is the historic Moody Building downtown. He said the building has potential, but only if the city takes action soon.
He said architects from Topeka who specialize in historic preservation have reached out to the Nieces, wanting to be involved with the restoration.
"They said, 'This could be a landmark deal.' And they showed us the buildings they'd done in Topeka, and they did them right," Al said.
While the city seeks a way to clear multiple federal tax liens on the building so the Nieces' crews can begin stabilizing it, Al pointed to another problem.
"One reason the building is so unstable — whoever went in to clean it up tore flooring out, which really made the building unstable, in my opinion," he said.
Lu said she understands the potential of the Moody Building but is reluctant to take on another major project.
"Well, it's a wonderful building, and Al has a vision that's really good," Lu said. "The reason why I don't want to do it is because I'm tired. I want to enjoy life, and I don't want to put up with all the crap that we're going to have to go through, because Al and I will just end up cutting each other's throats."
Al said he wants the project to use all local contractors.
"We have found that they're easier to work with. Quality is second to none, and they're a hell of a lot less expensive," he said.
He also sees the hire-local approach as a means to provide training for students interested in the trades.
"They're going to hire local people and teach — high school or college — get them a trade," Al said. "I don't care if they're just moving lumber; they're exposed to something, and that's what we need."
For now, though, it's only a plan. "We have a plan in place, but it doesn't mean anything until I have possession," he said.
"If somebody doesn't do something with the Moody Building in the next few months, we're going to walk, and it looks like the building will have to be torn down," he added.
Al presented a Project Abstract and Statement of Need of the Moody Building during Monday night's county commission meeting, which explains the history of the building, as well as the scope of the restoration. It is linked below this article.
The Ripple Effect
The Nieces said they have seen signs that their downtown investment is having an effect beyond their own properties.
"I think the community — I'm starting to see some growth in the community," Al said. "I think just little things. I don't want to say we contributed to it, but this is what we can do. And we've noticed some people around taking care of their houses a little bit better within the neighborhood, mowing the yard, cleaning things up."
Lu said she thinks residents are starting to have more faith in the community as a whole.
"I think people that have lived here love this community. They have a lot invested in their heart with it," she said. "I think since not just us but other businesses that have come and have taken care of their building or their home or whatever, I think that's happening a lot more, and people are starting to see it — the people that really care —"
"It's confidence in the city," Al added.
"And it's bringing all of us a little bit closer together," Lu said. "And I think the more of us that do that, we get more power in the city and what we do. They have faith in us, and we're more willing to work with each other."
Al — a former Marine known for his candor — said he sees incredible potential in the community, with one catch.
"There is a lot of opportunity here. A lot," he said. "If everybody can get their s*** together."
