Prior to Thursday's Hays city commission work session, Mayor Sandy Jacobs and Asst. City Manager Collin Bielser visit with Justin Pregont (at right) about the Atchison developer's plans for renovation of the historic St. Joseph School into high-quality apartments. Photo courtesy of the Hays Post.
"The RHID process is a marathon of meetings," Kim Rupp, Hays finance director, said during Thursday night's city commission work session, and it's again underway.
Commissioners discussed the financial incentives, including a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID), that an Atchison developer is requesting of the city for the planned renovation of the vacant St. Joseph Catholic School, 210 W. 13th Street.
Justin Pregont, who is also the interim Atchison city manager, wants to redevelop the property into a 12-unit multi-family complex that would target moderate income housing. The project is estimated to cost $2.2 million.
Pregont told commissioners that in his spare time he has "fallen in love in doing real estate projects on historic buildings." The project is similar to one he completed in Atchison called 1913 Apartments that opened last July...