By Lucky Kidd
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council Tuesday took a key step towards establishment of a STAR Bond district connected with the restoration of the Landmark Building at 5th and Main. These bonds, which the city would have no liability for, would be paid back by the increased sales taxes generated in a designated district.
This would be the second STAR bond project in Hutchinson, the first being for Strataca which was able to be paid off three years early. This would also tie into projects planned at Memorial Hall and the Cosmosphere. A public hearing on the proposal was set for Sept. 17th at 5:30 p.m.
The proposed district encompasses the area generally along Main Street from 7th Avenue south to Avenue B, along 17th Avenue, and the Cosmosphere and Hutchinson Community College area.
Also related to this project, the Council approved a memorandum of understanding with project developer Meyer Landmark LLC and various funding agreements including issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the project.
In other actions at Tuesday’s meeting, the Council accepted a bid from Riescheck Drilling for $244,300.90 to drill a new water well near 43rd and Monroe to replace a well that was abandoned after it developed a home in a well casing. The new well would be about 25-30 feet north of an existing well building.
Ordinances were also approved, including an updated Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code revised annually by the League of Kansas Municipalities. A new 20-year franchise agreement with Evergy, continuing the five percent franchise fee as in the past was also approved.
