Hays Post
Jun 18, 2025

Hays developer plans rental units in portion of downtown building

Posted Jun 18, 2025 6:09 PM
1012 Main Street, downtown Hays. Courtesy photo
1012 Main Street, downtown Hays. Courtesy photo

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A Hays developer plans to renovate the second floor of the building at 1012 Main St. into Airbnb-rentable units.

Tim Speno, One Twenty Seven Investments, is requesting the city of Hays to apply for $300,000 in grant money through the Kansas Department of Commerce's Community Development Block Grant Commercial Rehabilitation program to assist with the redevelopment project.

Although the program funds projects owned and operated by private developers, cities and counties are still required to be the official applicants for the CDBG funds.

A matching fund of 25 percent from the developer is required as part of the project. No city funds would be disbursed.

1012 Main St., downtown Hays. Courtesy photo 
1012 Main St., downtown Hays. Courtesy photo 

The building, initially constructed in 1917 as the Hays Building and Loan Association, has housed various businesses over the years and is currently home to Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio. 

The renovation will involve exterior masonry, interior plumbing, HVAC, and roof improvements to create three rentable units. The quilt studio will continue to operate on the ground floor.

City commissioners will consider Speno's request at their work session Thursday afternoon.

Also on the agenda is a rezoning request at 2707 Canal Blvd. from commercial general to a residential multi-family district.

The owner, AD3 LLC, Hays, plans to build a housing development with units designed for short- or long-term rentals that are fully furnished for traveling nurses or similar business professionals.

The Hays Area Planning Commission has already unanimously approved the rezoning request for the .607 acres of undeveloped land directly east of the little Dillons.

Commissioners will also review recommended changes to the city's Unified Development Code for small structures, such as gazebos or garden sheds, to permit a shorter setback. A second consideration is eliminating the maximum of two accessory structures on a lot.

Staff is also recommending removing the restriction in agriculture  districts where non-agricultural accessory structures are limited to a maximum size of 50% of the footprint of the main dwelling.

The Hays Area Planning Commission has unanimously approved the three requested changes.

206 E. 14th, Hays. City of Hays photo
206 E. 14th, Hays. City of Hays photo

The commission will also be advised of a general nuisance abatement request for 206 E. 14th.

The complete June 19 agenda is available here. The work session begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.