By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Two new housing development projects were moved forward Thursday by Hays city commissioners.
Hays developer Michael Graham is asking for multiple incentives for the historic Lincoln School and its grounds, 1906 Ash.
The incentives approved unanimously by the commission are for an ordinance establishing a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID), a development plan of housing and public facilities in the district and approval of a development agreement.
A public hearing to establish the reinvestment housing incentive district brought no public comment.
Graham plans to renovate the former Lincoln school building into a 26- unit apartment complex and construct seven additional structures on the property, with four living units in each structure.
Graham also requested a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for a state sales tax exemption for the project and a resolution of support for Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits (KHITC) of $840,000.
Total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $6.35 million, of which $4.3 million will be eligible for reimbursement from the reinvestment housing incentive district tax increment.
The specific economic development incentive available through the IRB issuance and being requested is a sales tax exemption for purchases related to construction.
All requests were unanimously approved by city commissioners.
"I think this is an exciting project," said Mason Ruder, mayor, "and I appreciate the historical aspect. It's been generating nothing for over 100 years. It's going to generate not only housing but eventually it'll generate some additional revenue for the city (property taxes)."
David Vilaysing, commissioner, also liked that Graham is "upcycling something historic" but he questioned whether the city should consider implementing financial caps on its economic development incentives.
Commissioners will discuss the suggestion at an upcoming work session where they will also review the economic development incentives policy for minor clarifications.
Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6
Commissioners also unanimously approved a request from an active Ellis developer for its first project in Hays.
GK Real Estate Development, LLC, has petitioned the city for street, stormwater, water and sanitary sewer improvements to an area of 24 lots in the Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6 through the use of a benefit district. The area includes Rolling Hills Drive, and portions of East 19th and East 20th streets.
The engineer’s estimate for total construction costs is $1.6 million.
Seventy percent of the special benefit district costs would be allowed to be special assessed to property owners, with the remaining 30% being paid in full by the developer prior to the award of the construction contract.
The resolution to establish the benefit district along with an engineering services agreement with Driggs Design Group, Hays, for $31,500, was also approved.
Debt collection services
A request by Jami Breit, city clerk, to change to using a collection service for utility and abatement debts owed to the city was approved. All fees associated with the collection agency will also be assessed to the customer.
Currently, the city uses a program through the State of Kansas for debt collection purposes, but Breit told commissioners last week a collection agency service is a "cleaner process."
More than $30,000 is owed in outstanding debts by city customers.
Hays Municipal Court is already using a collection agency and has a better success rate, Breit said.
Nex-Tech right-of-way
Nex-Tech transitioned from providing traditional franchise services and is now providing broadband services only.
An updated right-of-way use and occupancy agreement is required to allow Nex-Tech legal access to operate in city-owned right-of-way.
Commissioners voted to authorize the city manager to sign the agreement.
Sunrise Park improvements
The civic group Women Who Lead has adopted Sunrise Park, 1335 Lawrence. Members Nancy Jeter and Mary Ann Shorman invited the commissioners to an Aug. 27 ribbon cutting celebrating the recently completed installation of new playground equipment.
Citizen comments
Hays resident David Koshiol asked commissioners to reconsider moving their meetings to later in the evening to accommodate residents who work.
"I know it's been brought up that when they were pushed back people still didn't show up but it seems like there is a little bit more of community engagement these days," Koshiol said.
Watch the entire Aug. 13, 2026 Hays City Commission meeting below, courtesy of Nex-Tech.