Council approves condemnation of former worm farm structure

Four residential properties condemned after language barrier halts fifth

Woodie Seat bridge overlay finish prompts contractor fix at no cost to city

City secures grant for total cost of Sixth Avenue bridge repair

APAC-Kansas wins bid for K-61 resurfacing project

Water main replacement bid comes in $400,000 under estimate

City approves economic development agreement with Takako

Public hearing for Meadows on Monroe RHID delayed to July

Council members float potential moratorium on new data centers

1. Council approves condemnation of former worm farm structure

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council voted 4-1 to approve a resolution condemning the unsafe and dangerous structure at 3405 E. Fourth Ave., currently occupied by worm-farm tenant Dan Rasure. City building official Jason Lady detailed years of non-compliance, lack of a certificate of occupancy and a partial building collapse in 2024. Despite arguments from the owner's representative requesting a 60-day delay to submit new plans following a temporary restraining order, assistant city attorney Cody Smith stressed that repeated continuances posed a public safety liability. Mayor Scott Meggers cast the lone dissenting vote.

2. Four residential properties condemned after language barrier halts fifth

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council unanimously approved the condemnation of four residential structures deemed unsafe and dangerous, located at 1701 E. Third Ave., 300 N. Town St., 2700 Leonard Ave. and 1500 W. 12th Ave. A fifth property, located at 315 Justice St., was removed from the condemnation list after the Spanish-speaking owner, translated by a community member, expressed confusion over expired permits and the city's process. Council members agreed to table the property's condemnation to ensure city staff could properly communicate the requirements and next construction steps in the owner's native language.

3. Woodie Seat bridge overlay finish prompts contractor fix at no cost to city

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Public works director Cecil Weible and consulting engineers updated the council on surface defects discovered on the Woodie Seat bridge project's concrete overlay, which the city attributed to finishing issues. Rather than mill and replace the concrete — which could significantly delay the project's late June opening — the contractor, Kansas Concrete, agreed to apply a high-friction, multi-layer polymer epoxy overlay at no additional cost to the city. Engineers assured the council the underlying concrete is structurally sound and that a two-year warranty will protect taxpayers through multiple winter freeze-thaw cycles.

4. City secures grant for total cost of Sixth Avenue bridge repair

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Public works director Cecil Weible announced that Hutchinson successfully secured a $1.15 million state grant that will cover 100 percent of the repair costs for the Sixth Avenue bridge. Weible informed the council that the city already has the engineering plans drawn up for the structure, which spans a major drainage ditch and has long been on the city's repair priority list. The project will move forward as soon as the final state paperwork is processed, providing a crucial infrastructure upgrade at no direct cost to local taxpayers.

5. APAC-Kansas wins bid for K-61 resurfacing project

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council unanimously awarded a $437,617 bid to APAC-Kansas Inc. for the resurfacing of K-61 from U.S. Highway 50 to 17th Avenue. The project, which targets the northbound lanes after a previous project successfully addressed the southbound lanes, came in well under the city's initial engineering estimate of $550,756. Public works director Cecil Weible noted that while APAC-Kansas was the only bidder to submit on time, the company is a known entity that has worked effectively with the city on road projects for years.

6. Water main replacement bid comes in $400,000 under estimate

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A major infrastructure project to replace 1.5 miles of century-old water lines between Ninth and 17th avenues will cost taxpayers significantly less than anticipated. The council unanimously awarded the 2024-designated Water Main Replacement Project bid to Hutchinson-based Ward Davis Builders for $1.06 million, nearly $400,000 below the engineer's estimate of $1.45 million. City engineer Evan Patterson noted the targeted 6-inch water lines have suffered around 80 breaks in recent years, making the midsummer replacement a high priority for reducing operational maintenance costs.

7. City approves economic development agreement with Takako

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The council unanimously approved a development agreement with Takako America Co. Inc., providing $1,000 per job created under the city's job incentive policy. Takako, which produces component parts for axial piston pumps and operates its U.S. headquarters in Hutchinson, plans to add 15 new jobs starting at a minimum of $18 per hour, supplemented by robust benefits including 80 percent employer-paid health insurance and a 401(k) match. Takako Executive Vice President William "Bill" Kunze noted the rapid expansion of the facility necessitates the immediate hiring and training of new employees.

8. Public hearing for Meadows on Monroe RHID delayed to July

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A scheduled public hearing to consider a development agreement and related Reinvestment Housing Incentive District resolution for the Meadows on Monroe project was postponed. Community development director Matthew Williams requested the delay, explaining that the development team is still finalizing the agreement in coordination with bond and legal counsel. The council unanimously agreed to continue the hearing to its next meeting on July 7.

9. Council members float potential moratorium on new data centers

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During the city officials' report, a council member voiced strong support for a 10-year moratorium on new data centers following intense pushback from the public at a recent Reno County Commission meeting.

Click here for local obituaries

Click here for local jail logs

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us