By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Although there are several stipulations that must be met first, the proposed downtown Hays pavilion proposal got a nod of approval from Hays city commissioners Thursday night. The vote was four to one, with Commissioner Lance Jones opposed.

“If the city can come up with a lease agreement with Union Pacific railroad, I’d like to see the project move forward,” said Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil. The pavilion is a joint project of  the Downtown Hays Development Center and Fort Hays State University.

The entire process hinges on reaching that lease agreement for the property at the east edge of Union Pacific Railroad Park, 10th and Main.

DHDC would pay for the pavilion and restroom materials, including a sidewalk, safety fencing and landscaping.  The city would provide in-kind labor, and pay for water and sewer lines, using guest tax monies from the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).   Similar to how the Hays Dog Park was financed, Musil said the DHDC monies must be in place first before the project would begin.

DHDC Executive Director Sara Bloom thanked commissioners for addressing and voting on the the project.

“Anything you agree to tonight, we’ll, of course bring back to our board and make sure they are in agreement with any of the changes as well,” she told the commission.

Commission James Meier asked Bloom if there was anything specific in the motion DHDC would have trouble achieving.

“The sidewalk, maybe,” Bloom replied. “We know that’s at least a $10,000 expense that we would have to add to our budget. That may be a sticking point for the board.”

DHDC is a non-profit group funded by donations and grants.

The total project cost is estimated at about $192,000.