NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A revision to the agreement between Interfaith Housing and Reno County regarding ARPA funds was passed by the Board of County Commissioners on a 3-2 vote on Wednesday, with Commissioners Parks, Bogner and Friesen voting for the changes and Commissioners Hirst and Whitesel voting against.
Interfaith is requesting that current remaining un-allocated funding projected at approximately $120,000 be able to be utilized on priority rehabilitation projects including those identified within the town of Hutchinson. The big piece is demolition of the old St. Elizabeth Hospital at 500 West 20th.
"For the last couple of years, we've had kind of a concept of a redevelopment plan, which is two-story walkups. Design-wise, I think it's a little out of the box for Hutch, but it may work very well in that kind of corridor. It certainly would be a visual stimulus for that area. More recently, through another byproduct of ARPA and doing a lot of work, it's opened up conversations with some of our big employers in the area, more conversation about workforce housing. We all know that there's a continued need for that. Our intent would be to redevelop it with homebuyer units, what that final master plan looks like, if we can get under an option for the additional land and the Mirror building, those are all part of the conversation. We would like to see that whole block redeveloped."
Interfaith wants to get local developers involved.
"Currently, that property is assessed at land value only," Nelson said. "You guys are getting $850 a year in property taxes. Our redevelopment plans would be $5 million plus in assessed property value."
Hirst's main objection was that this shifts funds away from projects he considers as closer to ready than St. Elizabeth's might be. Whitesel appeared to agree with that assessment.