By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The origin of the Downtown Hays Development Corp. 14 years ago was rooted in its initial goal to purchase six specific properties to “jumpstart the redevelopment of downtown Hays.”
DHDC Board President Stacey Smith explained the group’s beginnings to Hays City Commissioners Thursday night.
“It was done in partnership with the primary developer of the Chestnut Street District, Liberty Group,” she added.
Smith and other board members, along with recently rehired executive director Traci Stanford, attended the city work session to answer commissioners’ questions about the organization’s strategic goals and financing.
In the city’s 2015 budget, DHDC was allocated $53,655 as part of the funding to outside agencies.
The city’s contribution is the biggest part of DHDC’s proposed 2015 budget.
Information distributed to commissioners Thursday show other income as: Partnership Program (public and private monies)–$19,000; Fundraiser–$17,000; Events and Activities–$1,000; and Interest–$150, for a total budget of $90,805.
Other information indicated more than $10.5 million private dollars have been reinvested in downtown Hays buildings or businesses since DHDC was established in 2001, along with approximately 50 businesses that have started or relocated to downtown. Downtown sales tax collections are 10.14 percent of the city of Hays general sales tax collections.
During the budget process, Commissioner Shaun Musil said he had “heard some concerns from the public about what DHDC does for the city and what the commission’s expectations are. I couldn’t answer their questions.”
Commissioner Ron Mellick said DHDC has “a lot of communication problems” with the city and its own members.
“There are some critics out there about the city being involved in downtown development,” said Vice Mayor Eber Phelps. “I disagree with most of that. I think some patience needs to be exercised here and you need to keep pointing out what’s going on.”
Stanford emphasized that DHDC is “not membership-driven and is open to anyone with an interest in the viability of downtown Hays.”
The historic Chestnut Street District has defined boundaries within the downtown area.
“There are just two downtown Hays merchants on the board of directors,” Smith said. “This is a revolving board of 13 community volunteers. That’s about 150 people over the past 14 years, along with one-and-a-half paid positions. They’ve led a tremendous amount of economic development growth and quality of life enhancements in downtown Hays. But we wouldn’t be where we are without the support of the city, the Hays community and the downtown merchants and businesses. We have more to do and we hope tonight’s discussion is a step towards a renewed effort of what we can do together:”
Karen Dreiling, owner of The Furniture Look in downtown Hays and a new DHDC board member, told commissioners she believes the city is getting a “quantifiable return on your investment.”
“I do think you’re gaining, whether it’s the Farmers Market, Core2Campus or a quality of life issue. We have what a lot of people would love to have–I hear that all the time. I don’t see how that engine can run if you don’t put any gas in it.”
DHDC manages several other annual events including Blues, BBQ and Bargains, Bargains on the Bricks, Wines & Steins and the FrostFest Season and Parade.