HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council on Tuesday declared a portion of a downtown property blighted, but it's a good thing, because it is required for a grant process.
According to agenda documents, in 2019, Meredith and Nick Wolenhaupt purchased the historic Montgomery Ward building at 14 North Main. They seek to address significant issues with the building's upper floor, including leaking decorative windows and code violations in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. These problems have caused substantial damage to the original wood floor.
The Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Program could help resolve these issues. The Wolenhaupts previously received a HEAL grant in 2023 from the Department of Commerce to address code and egress issues, enabling the use of the main floor and mezzanine spaces.
The South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) is preparing the CDBG Downtown Rehabilitation grant application and will manage the grant if awarded.
"Part of the grant is a follow up," Meredith Wohlenhaupt told the council. "It's a continued relationship with SCKEDD. We currently have a relationship with Stephanie Marsh at SCKEDD and we do monthly reporting based on, not just financials, but activity at the building."
The council approved the declaration unanimously.
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