By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The city commission will vote on funding mechanisms for new business and housing developments in Hays at its meeting on Thursday.
Commissioners will also consider awarding a bid for the reconstruction of East 13th Street from Canterbury Drive to Commerce Parkway.
Two of the new housing developments are in the downtown area.
An ordinance establishing a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) and a development plan for housing and public facilities at 10th and Walnut will be considered. A public hearing will precede the ordinance vote.
Hays developer Michael Graham Rentals is proposing to build 48 apartments on the site of the former railroad depot parking lot in downtown Hays.
The district is expected to generate about $1.1 million of revenue during its maximum 25-year term. This revenue would be used to reimburse the developer for an estimated $692,000 in RHID-eligible project costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded the city a $300,000 Commercial Rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Chestnut Suites at 1108 N. Main and Hays developer Adam Pray.
The former Hays State Bank building, which will be used for the $3.2 million project, was constructed in 1965 and has been vacant for 40 years.
Pray plans to redevelop the building into a new luxury short-term rental Airbnb called Chestnut Suites with 24 to 26 rooms. The rooms will be designed similar to those of traditional hotels.
The city is poised to approve Community Development Block Grant grant agreements between Hays and the state commerce department and between Hays and Chestnut Suites, along with a repayment agreement with the developer.
Commissioners will also discuss funding for the 27th and Main Street development project. Astra Bank is relocating and building a new facility on that site.
The city will pay 100% of the costs to construct the stormwater management infrastructure at the south end of the property and 50% of the costs to extend 26th Street through the development.
The $89,000 for the stormwater retention infrastructure will come from the stormwater reserve funds, and the city's 50% share of $205,000 for the street will come from the city's capital reserve cash funds.
Access to the new bank will be from 26th Street.
The city of Hays has purchased the existing Astra Bank building, 1100 Fort, to redevelop it as a new police station and municipal court facility.
Commissioners will also consider authorizing a $3 million agreement with APAC-Kansas, Hays, for construction services related to the city and school improvements along the East 13th Street corridor from Canterbury Drive to Commerce Parkway.
The reconstruction project is to be funded from commission capital reserves, Ellis County reimbursement, a cost-share grant with the Kansas Department of Transportation, and reimbursement from USD 489 in the amount of $763,449 for their portion of the project.
The city’s portion of the project includes reconstructing the road from Anthony Drive to Commerce Parkway, including widening sections of East 13th Street from two to three lanes, installation of a multi-use path along the north side of the entire project and a mill and overlay of the complete roadway.
The complete Sept. 26 agenda is available here.
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.