By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Development by Heart of America Development Corporation of the Tallgrass 4th Addition in east Hays is moving forward with the next step: awarding a bid for street, storm sewer, water, and sanitary sewer improvements to 101 lots in the area.
Hess Services, Hays, was the low bidder at $4 million.
Hays city commissioners will review the recommended bid award at their work session on Thursday afternoon, along with a construction inspection contract agreement with Sloan Engineering and Consulting, Hays, for $196,000.
Platting and zoning of the proposed development was completed in early 2025. The housing project is planned for one phase, beginning in March 2026.
Interstate 70, Exit 161
Four other agenda items are related to development of city-owned property at Interstate 70, Exit 161, for commercial business and housing.
Jesse Rohr, public works director, will present requests to annex the 90-acres and rezone the property from agriculture to commercial general district.
2200 Commerce Parkway
A rezoning request and annexation for 2200 Commerce Parkway, the city's tree farm on the south side of the interstate, will also be presented.
The city is proposing the requested zoning change to make it available for development. Installation of utilities is planned for 2026.
The property was originally a rest stop location for I-70. When the exit ramps for Commerce Parkway were installed in 1995, and the rest stop was removed, the land was deeded over to the city of Hays.
Since then, it has been the Parks Department's tree farm. Assistant City Manager Jarrrod Kuckelman said the tree farm would be relocated if development occurs.
All items will be considered for a vote at next week's meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 23, due to the Christmas holiday.
Sen. Barb Wasinger on property taxes
Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, will speak with the commission about state and local property taxes at the beginning of the work session.
The complete Dec. 18 agenda is available here. The work session starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.