By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A new piece of playground equipment unique among all the parks in Hays will be installed in Massey Park, 17th and Allen, early next year.
City commissioners approved the $119,363 purchase from Aspire 2 Play, Kansas City, as presented by Jeff Boyle, parks director. The existing equipment, installed in 2002, is deteriorating and has had sections removed for safety.
The new equipment has two large slides, an enclosed rope climb tunnel, several agility components and a separate play piece for younger children.
The commission plans to discuss parks maintenance management during its 2026 retreat.
Sewer Cleaning and Inspection
The low bid was approved for the 2025 sanitary sewer annual cleaning and inspection as recommended by Jeff Crispin, water resources director.
About 22 miles of sewer in southwest Hays will be cleaned for the second time since the rotation plan began in 2018.
"We've been getting fewer calls about problems than before we started cleaning on this schedule," Crispin said.
The low bid of $145,022 came from CC Steel, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota, which will start the cleaning and video inspection on Dec. 1 and finish in March.
Consent to Deannex Plat of DK Ranch Addition
Local property owners BJKT LLC and Sing Along Ranch LLC of the undeveloped DK Ranch Addition have asked to deannex and vacate the land in west Hays and to replat and annex land along Columbine Drive, ultimately annexing the new Smoky Hill Plains Addition.
DK Ranch Addition is a large lot development platted in 2013 but never developed. The property was sold and is now being replatted into a more efficient residential subdivision.
Commissioners authorized the issuance of the public notice for the deannexation of the DK Ranch Addition.
Chestnut Suites Grant Update
An update on the work at another planned housing development in downtown Hays was presented by Jarrod Kuckelman, assistant city manager.
The former Hays State Bank, 1108 N. Main, was built in 1965 and is in the Downtown Hays Historical District.
Renovation work into a new luxury short-term rental Airbnb began early this summer after the award of a $300,000 Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant in 2024.
Hays developer Adam Pray plans the Chestnut Suites reconstruction as 24-26 rentable hotel-style rooms for both short-term and 30-day or more renters.
So far, renovation work using the grant dollars has focused on interior fire protection, the water supply, exterior stone removal, walls and doors, exterior concrete, and trash enclosure.
The Bricks Update
Lee Ann June, executive director of The Bricks in downtown Hays, presented a review of the nonprofit organization's work so far this year.
June, who just completed her first 90 days as executive director, talked about the group's mission and projects.
A committee was organized in April to enhance the annual Christmas holiday celebration in downtown Hays. Sponsors from across the city have made donations toward more lighting and decorations.
This is the 25th year for the annual lighted Frost Fest parade on Dec. 7, which will have a theme of "Timeless Traditions." Entries are being accepted online.
June, who wore a colorful Santa hat provided by The Bricks board member Karen Dreiling, talked about the "Jubilee" tree lighting to kick off the festivities on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Additional free activities will include a holiday movie at The Fox, horse-and-buggy rides throughout downtown, children's activities, and a soup and chili feed for 500 people.
Next year will be the 25th year of The Bricks, June said. There are two open positions of the board of directors.
Commissioner Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting.