HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The battle for housing tax credits in Hutchinson will be front and center at Tuesday’s Hutchinson City Council meeting.
Manske and Associates is once again asking for the special tax funding from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for two separate projects. The first is the continued effort to renovate the property at 500 W. 20th, which is the old St. Elizabeth's Hospital property. Plans to renovate that building into apartments was rejected by the state last year. Now, Interfaith and Manske want to level the old hospital and build 12 three-bedroom townhomes on the property.
They also have a second proposal that calls for the construction of 12 small two-bedroom duplex townhomes for residents 55 and older. That development is in an area bounded by Jewell Street and East 34th Avenue. Manske successfully acquired tax credits in the past for the Wiley Building and The Link housing project at Sherman and Washington.
But that’s not the only entity seeking the highly-competitive tax credits. Disability Supports of the Great Plains is also filing for tax credits for two housing projects at 23rd and Waldron. The disability support agency also failed to acquire tax credits last year for a housing project along Waldron near Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. The agency is throwing its hat in the ring again this year hoping to land the needed funding. Kaw Village would provide a 21-unit affordable housing complex for residents with disabilities in phase one with an opportunity to add another 24 units in phase two. That development would be targeted to the elderly and run along East 23rd Avenue.
Developers of both projects are asking for the city to pass resolutions of support to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. The state agency usually announces the recipients of the tax credits in May.