NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson announced Monday that it is moving forward with the initial stages of a STAR Bond project, a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the community's development and economic growth. The project will be broken into three parts.
"The three parts would be out where the new hotel is being built, along with the new Popeyes, the new Old Chicago, and the convention center," Mayor Greg Fast said. "The second part would be downtown, and then the third area will be around the Cosmosphere. So those three areas will benefit greatly from the Star Bond, and it will be funded through sales tax that the state gives us back."
The rate will not increase beyond what it already will be in those areas.
"We've had success in the past with the STRATACA elevator shaft," Fast said. "It was a several million dollar project that I believe was, those bonds were paid off early and it was a Star Bond project too that has helped our community, and to this day, STRATACA draws in people from all over the world to go to that salt museum."
They don't have a final number on the STAR bond amount yet, as that is still going through underwriting.
"The plan is to do some upgrades to Memorial Hall, commercial downstairs property with the Landmark, and then also additional STEM education space for the Cosmosphere," Fast said.
The City plans to hold a public hearing in September, during which the City Council will consider the approval of the district. This step is crucial, but it is just the beginning of a longer process to bring these projects to fruition.
STAR Bond Approval Process: The approval process for STAR Bonds involves several steps:
- Approval of the STAR Bond District: The city will establish a designated area where the STAR Bonds will be used.
- Approval of the STAR Bond Project Plan: Detailed plans for each project within the district will be reviewed and approved.
- Issuance of Bonds: Once approved, the bonds will be issued to fund the projects.
Jessica Woodyard with the City of Hutchinson provided some material for this story.