Hammond proposes stadium on buffalo field
By KALEY LYON
The Hays City Commission will meet in a work session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and commissioners will discuss a proposed land exchange with Fort Hays State University.
As FHSU moves forward with its new soccer program, a location for a stadium is needed. President Edward H. Hammond has proposed a land swap of similar-sized, state-owned parcels of land, one of which is leased by the city and one leased by the university.
"They approached us with the idea of possibly swapping those two parcels of land, and we just told them we'd bring it to the commission," said Assistant City Manager Mark Loughry.
The university is interested in a tract of about 10 acres that is used to house the buffalo herd near Frontier Park.
In exchange, the university has offered about 9 acres of land north of Golf Course Road on the west side of U.S. Highway 183 Alternate. This would allow the city to expand Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course, which currently is landlocked.
"Because that's contiguous with (Fort Hays State University's) current land, where their softball complex is and stuff, they really wondered if it might be better for them to have that land," Loughry said. "And then we'd get land that's contiguous with where the golf course is, and they're almost the same size. "
A con to the proposal, cited on the commission's work session agenda, is the fact the buffalo would have to be relocated, which would take them farther from the historical fort and possibly require fence construction.
According to the agenda, the possibility of locating the buffalo on city-owned land east of Home Depot and north of Interstate 70 has been discussed. Staff estimates suggest it could cost between $250,000 and $400,000 to construct two fences on this tract of land.
Two fences are required for public safety reasons.
"There's some obvious concerns that have to be addressed on both sides," Loughry said. "But ultimately, even if we are all in agreement, which I don't know where this is going to end up ... it has to go to the state for approval and that could take a while to do."
Other agenda items include:
* Future upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant. A 2006 plant study concluded there will need to be modifications to the plant within the next 10 to 15 years to comply with KDHE requirements.
* Sewer rates analysis. Commissioners will review a recent analysis of sewer rate trends and discuss a possible fee increase.
* Addendum to agreement with local unions, Firefighters Local 2119 and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 48.
* A tax abatement applied for by Leon's Welding.
* A Federal Aviation Administration grant to help update the Hays Regional Airport's master plan.
* Consideration of a construction engineering agreement for 22nd Street. Bids for a traffic signal upgrade also will be discussed, prior to the opening of 22nd Street from Canterbury to Commerce Parkway.
* Bids obtained for a new skid steer on behalf of the service division.
* Revision of the neighborhood revitalization plan. The city will consider modifying the makeup of this board, which was established to review exterior changes in the downtown area.
