HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Hutchinson closes out a year marked by major construction projects and long-term planning efforts, Mayor Stacy Goss described 2025 as a year focused on execution rather than expansion.
“It was interesting,” Goss said. “This year was really about staying on task and accomplishing what we had already taken on.”
Among the city’s largest undertakings was the Woodie Seat Freeway project, which Goss described as a capstone effort. Phase one is nearing completion, with Avenue A expected to reopen to east-west traffic in mid-January. Bridge work is scheduled to continue through June or July.
Goss also highlighted changes to city intersections, including the removal of several traffic signals deemed no longer warranted. She said outdated designs can disrupt traffic flow and create confusion for drivers.
“They just don’t engineer intersections like that any longer,” Goss said. “If a light isn’t warranted, it throws off the flow of traffic and what drivers should expect.”
The city is also moving forward with plans for Memorial Hall, which is currently out for requests for proposals covering management, design and construction. Goss said the project includes $2.5 million in state STAR bond funding.
“The goal is to turn it into a year-round usable space,” Goss said. “We want to keep the small-town appeal but also bring in concerts, events and economic activity.”
Housing initiatives were another focus, with more than 200 homes under development and a new partnership with Interfaith Housing launching in 2026. The program will address residential blight by connecting occupants to resources while holding property owners accountable for repairs.
“We know people are living in homes that are not of a livable standard,” Goss said. “Every property should be held to the same standard.”