By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Triplett, Inc., Salina, wants to build a 24/7 Travel Store truck stop just north of Interstate 70 at the west Hays exit 157. The company has requested a tax increment financing district in the city of Hays for the $11 million proposed project.
It's the first of step of many in Hays' economic development policy and was reviewed Thursday by city commissioners.
The company also plans to ask for a community improvement district and the utilization of industrial revenue bonds for the property at the southeast corner of 230th Avenue and 55th Street. The land was recently annexed into the city, and the zoning changed from agricultural to commercial development.
Triplett already operates a small 24/7 Travel Store in Hays at 3601 Vine St., south of the interstate Exit 159.
The new 9,000-square-foot location would include a full-service travel plaza and convenience store, with 12 gas fueling positions and five diesel fueling positions, electric vehicle charging stations, a restaurant in the travel plaza, a dog park and RV overnight campsites.
Triplett also owns 24/7 Travel Stores in Goodland, Colby, WaKeeney, Russell, Abilene, Salina, McPherson and Maple Hill.
Based on current project costs, the developer estimates $4.2 million of the Travel Store costs are TIF-eligible expenses under state law and the city’s economic development policy:
If the city commission votes next week to approve a tax increment financing district for the project, the developer expects to begin construction next summer and to be operating by the spring of 2025.
"A lot of things are happening in this community right now," said Sandy Jacobs, Hays vice-mayor. "The minute you think things are slowing down, something else comes in front of us.
"I can see the (next) 25 years looking pretty good, so we need to look a little further out," she said.
In other business, City Manager Toby Dougherty reminded commissioners they will have a final chance to review the 2024 draft budget at the Sept. 14 meeting.
Following any modifications, public hearings will then be held to approve an ordinance to exceed the revenue neutral rate, followed by the budget public hearing.
The commission also entered into a 15-minute executive session at the end of the work session to discuss acquisition of real property. No action was taken.