HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mayor Stacy Goss highlighted recent housing developments and announced her candidacy for the Northwest District seat on City Council during a social media campaign push this week.

Goss, who is seeking to transition from mayor to a council position, said the city has made significant progress on housing initiatives since April, helping move forward 144 housing units. She cited ongoing developments like the Landmark and Plum Creek projects as examples of new housing options addressing needs identified in a recent housing study.

"Since April, we've heard presentations and helped move forward 144 housing units in Hutchinson," Goss said in a social media post. "That's on top of ongoing developments like the Landmark and Plum Creek, which are already adding dozens of new housing options."

The mayor emphasized her focus on putting "Hutchinson's needs above partisan politics" and described her leadership approach as fiscally responsible while addressing long-overdue investments in city infrastructure.

Goss said the city has worked closely with staff to appoint new leadership in the City Manager's office and foster improved workplace culture. She noted faster response times for 911 calls, quicker water main repairs and stronger code enforcement, particularly on neglected commercial properties.

The mayor outlined several ongoing revitalization projects, including The Atrium, the Worm Building on East 4th Street, and the Bernards property. She said ten additional properties are scheduled for the next meeting, with two already being addressed by property owners.

"We're making real progress," Goss said, adding that addressing residential blight remains a priority for the coming year, with plans to partner with nonprofits to help residents transition from substandard housing to safe, stable options.

Infrastructure improvements also remain a focus, according to Goss, who said the city is enhancing sidewalk and street maintenance programs. She noted significant impact from focusing resources on specific areas while partnering with programs like Brush Up Hutch and other nonprofits to achieve "that WOW factor."

Looking ahead, Goss said she is exploring popular options for Memorial Hall, including moving forward with plans that community members indicated they wanted: more entertainment options and preserving the historic venue.

"We're wrapping up discussions around Memorial Hall. I'm excited to pursue a popular option that will move the needle on two things you told us you wanted: more entertainment options and preserving Memorial Hall," she said.

City Council races are nonpartisan, with the primary election scheduled for this summer and the general election in November. Goss asked supporters to help her reach 1,000 social media followers as part of her campaign efforts.