Hutchinson - Week of February 27, 2025

Hutchinson City Council Debates Memorial Hall’s Future: Sale or Park?

Historic Meyer Landmark Project Transforms Downtown Hutchinson

Woodie Seat Freeway Roundabout Project to Disrupt Hutchinson Traffic

$6M Grant Secures Water, Sewer Upgrades for Reno County

Hutchinson to Remove Traffic Signals at Three Intersections

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1. Hutchinson City Council Debates Memorial Hall’s Future: Sale or Park?

The Hutchinson City Council is weighing options for the future of Memorial Hall, the 113-year-old downtown landmark that currently operates at an annual loss of approximately $100,000. During Tuesday's February 18 meeting, city staff presented two primary options: selling the building for private development or converting it into a public park space that would connect multiple downtown green areas and potentially feature a river walk along Cow Creek, which runs beneath the structure. The proposed park concept would maintain historical elements while adding event spaces and recreational facilities, though the building currently needs an estimated $5.3 million in repairs to meet modern standards, including $1.2 million for air conditioning. The council voted to table the decision for 60-90 days to explore private development interest first, with several council members expressing concern about maintaining control of what they described as a strategic downtown asset. Despite recent increases in rental rates, the facility currently hosts 37-39 events annually during its limited 34-36 week operating season, attracting about 24,000 visitors but generating only $27,000 in revenue against $126,000 in expenses.
Source: City of Hutchinson

2. Historic Meyer Landmark Project Transforms Downtown Hutchinson

Historic downtown Hutchinson is set for a transformation as the Meyer Landmark Project moves forward at 501 North Main Street. The reuse project, which began demolition work on February 3rd, will convert the historic building into 36 apartments and 7,000 square feet of commercial space. Developer Laura Meyer Dick reported that initial work has included asbestos remediation of windows and extensive cleanup, with the demolition phase expected to take up to 2.5 months. The Hutchinson City Council unanimously approved both the development agreement for a $650,000 Moderate Income Housing grant from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and a 50% reduction in building permit fees, lowering them from $57,000 to approximately $28,000. The project, key in the downtown master plan, combines historic preservation with new housing opportunities and represents a significant investment in downtown revitalization efforts. Additional funding includes a Kansas Housing Investor tax credit certificate, with developers exploring the possibility of establishing a Rural Housing Incentive District as the next phase of the project.
Source: City of Hutchinson

3. Woodie Seat Freeway Roundabout Project to Disrupt Hutchinson Traffic

Hutchinson residents will face significant traffic changes as construction begins on the Woodie Seat Freeway roundabout project, funded in part through ARPA allocations. The major infrastructure project kicks off March 3rd, with road closure signage appearing February 27th. Public Works Director Cecil Weible detailed the project's impact at Tuesday's city council meeting, outlining detour routes that will redirect north-south traffic to Monroe and Adams streets, while east-west traffic will utilize Second Street and Avenue F. Access to South Hutchinson will be maintained throughout construction, with traffic able to exit and enter at Avenue F. The $24.7 million project, scheduled for substantial completion by November 2025, includes a comprehensive traffic management plan with designated haul routes and monitoring of key intersections for potential additional traffic control measures. The extensive timeline reflects the project's scope, with officials securing ARPA funding through obligations made by December 2024.

Source: City of Hutchinson

4. $6M Grant Secures Water, Sewer Upgrades for Reno County

Reno County residents in the Yoder and “H.A.B.I.T” (Reno County Sewer District No. 202) service districts received welcome news Tuesday when Public Works Director Don Brittain announced the county has secured a $6.13 million grant for water and sewer infrastructure improvements. The grant, awarded through the Small Town Water and Sewer Infrastructure Assistant program, will fully fund the merger of two non-compliant districts into a single updated system. While residents will still face some rate increases, the grant significantly reduces what could have been a substantial financial burden on local households. The county had already invested over $300,000 in land acquisition and completed design work for the project.
Source: Reno County

5. Hutchinson to Remove Traffic Signals at Three Intersections

The City of Hutchinson plans to remove traffic signals at three intersections - Avenue A and Washington, Fourth and Washington, and Fourth and Walnut - following engineering studies that indicate the lights are no longer warranted. Public Works Director Cecil Weible told the city council Tuesday that removing the signals could reduce accident probability by 24% while saving approximately $5,000 annually in maintenance and electrical costs, and avoiding future upgrade expenses of $60,000 per intersection. The removal process will begin with 30 days of advance notice signage, followed by a 60-90 day trial period where signals will be bagged before permanent removal. Initial plans call for converting the intersections to two-way stops, with Fourth Street and Avenue A maintaining continuous travel, though pending sight line studies may require four-way stops. The project includes plans to upgrade other Fourth Street intersections with camera systems for improved traffic flow management, and officials emphasized their ability to reverse the changes if problems arise during the trial period.
Source: City of Hutchinson

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Sources

1. City of Hutchinson
2. City of Hutchinson
3. City of Hutchinson, https://www.facebook.com/hutchinsonks/
4. Reno County
5. City of Hutchinson