By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Street, water, storm water and sanitary sewer improvements will move forward in the King’s Gate Addition, Phase 2, after unanimous approval by the Hays City Commission Thursday night. The new housing area is located north of 41st Street and west of Hall Street.

Commissioners authorized a contract with APAC for $639,403.83 to be paid by the developer, Covenant Land and Development, Inc., and by special assessments to the benefit district.

APAC’s bid was higher than that of the other bidder, J Corp, which bid $637,957.70. The developer actually asked for approval of the more expensive bid because APAC can start to work sooner, explained Jesse Rohr, Hays Planning, Inspection and Enforcement superintendent.

“J Corp’s proposal indicated a start date of April 1, 2016, whereas APAC’s proposal indicated a start date of November 30, 2015.  Since the difference in the price between J Corp’s bid  using concrete pavement and APAC’s bid using asphalt pavement is only $1,446, the developer requested awarding the bid to APAC to achieve the earlier start date,” Rohr said.  The adjacent street pavement is asphalt,

APAC is already working in Hays on the 13th Street reconstruction between Main and Milner Streets.  That project is behind schedule.

Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil questioned whether the 13th Street project would be adversely affected by the King’s Gate project.

“The first phase of King’s Gate is the sanitary sewer.  APAC has indicated they would bring one of their crews up from Dodge City which only does underground infrastructure,” Rohr answered.  “They’ve told us it would not pull crews off the 13th Street project.”  “It better not,” interjected Commissioner Henry Schwaller.

The developer will fund 30 percent of the project.  The remaining 70 percent will be paid by the 23 property owners–assessed $22,013.59 each–to be paid at $152.02 per month for 15 years at three percent interest.

A request for placement of an island median and subdivision entrance sign at the entrance to King’s Gate Drive was also approved. The 12’x12’x5′ masonry sign would be similar to the Sternberg Museum entrance sign at 27th and Sternberg Drive. Covenant will maintain the sign.

This project follows the plan that has been set forth and constructed in phases over the last five years and will complete the connection of King’s Gate Drive to 41st Street.