Is Chesapeake going to turn the lights back on?

On with the two really important questions of the day: Is Chesapeake Energy going to rename the Pier 1 building?

Yes, says Julie Wilson, the company's vice president of corporate development.

What about the lighted crown, which Pier 1 shut down to save on electricity costs? Is Chesapeake going to turn the lights back on?

Sounds like it. "Keep your eyes on the skies," Wilson hinted.

Mayor Mike Moncrief may have shed some light on this critical question in a brief statement he made after today's announcment that Chesapeake's going to buy the Pier 1 headquarters building and move its Barnett Shale operations there.

"This is an enormous committment on the part of Chesapeake, and it confirms the company's long-term strategy to remain in our city as a leading producer of natural gas in North Texas and beyond," the mayor said. "This agreement will also allow Pier 1 to remain focused on its operations as the largest retailer of imported home furnishings and decor in North America."

And then this kicker on Moncrief's statement:

"We're glad that the well-known beacon of light from this beautiful structure will continue to illuminate our skyline for many years to come."

Hmm.

-- Jim Fuquay and Scott Nishimura

Need to catch up on your reading about the Chesapeake-Pier 1 headquarters purchase? Here's everything we published in the print edition:

Chesapeake agrees to buy Pier 1 headquarters for $104 million

Chesapeake working hard to raise public profile in Tarrant County

Why Pier 1 decided to sell

Editorial: Chesapeake deal is great news for Fort Worth

Mitch Schnurman column: Chesapeake deal start of even bigger things

Comments

[sgmorr]

I can't remember one way or the other myself, but does anyone know if and how much the taxpayers underwrote "this beautiful structure" and how many jobs Pier 1 promised to create and keep in Fort Worth?