Patrick G. McCabe Jr., Hot Springs mayor and CEO of Levi Hospital
Pat McCabe was appointed mayor by the Hot Springs Board of Directors in April after the resignation of Mayor Ruth Carney in March.
McCabe came to Hot Springs in 1985 as assistant administrator of the hospital then known as St. Joseph’s Regional Health Care. He was promoted to CFO and in 1987 was hired as president and CEO of Levi Hospital, where he completed 30 years in May. He has served more than 10 years on the Hot Springs Board of Directors.
McCabe earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1978 and a master’s in health administration from St. Louis University in 1980.
What are the biggest challenges your city faces in providing services to its 37,000 residents?
The biggest challenge is balancing the unlimited needs and desires of our community with our available revenue streams.
The cost of day-to-day operations makes it challenging to undertake significant capital improvement projects. We have recently secured additional water from Lake Ouachita that will allow for our continued growth for the next 50 years but also requires the construction of a new $100 million water treatment plant.
Redevelopment of the Majestic Hotel property that burned in 2014 provides an array of opportunities. The development of the Northwoods Project aimed at mountain biking and multi-use trails will be a significant undertaking that will be a signature attraction for both our residents and tourists alike.
Finally, there’s the continual redevelopment of the downtown historic area, including additional parking.
What other cities do you look to for inspiration?
Through the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, local political and business leaders visit other communities to learn the best practices in addressing certain issues that confront their community. We look to visit communities that have something in common with Hot Springs, whether it be the downtown historic nature, tourism or comparable challenges.
I personally was on a group visit to Saratoga Springs, New York, in 2014. Other communities visited included Oklahoma City and Asheville, North Carolina. From these trips, we were better able to walk away with a “can-do attitude” on the challenges that we face.
What are the most promising industries for Hot Springs’ future?
We compete with other communities for relocation of industries and businesses to our community. Hot Springs has a number of amenities that allow industry to look to our pluses, which may not be available elsewhere. Our current industrial footprint is heavy in aerospace, window manufacturing, rubber band and plastic bottle products, health care and tourism, to name just a few. We continue to look for opportunities to expand the type of companies that may consider relocating to Hot Springs.
What has surprised you about the role of mayor?
The role of the mayor is fairly straightforward in the city manager form of government. What I did not fully appreciate is the status that residents of Hot Springs place upon the position of mayor. I am not at all into titles. We all have a job to do, and as mayor, my job is to assist in making Hot Springs the best it can be. I prefer to be called Pat. However, I understand that with the position comes some level of protocol that the residents wish to follow. But at the end of the day, I am just a regular guy trying to give back to my community.
What do you do for fun?
Five years ago, I started an exercise regimen and went from couch to Ironman in 18 months, losing 52 pounds in the process. I am now an avid triathlete, cyclist, runner and swimmer. I have developed so many great friendships along that path of physical fitness.
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