By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays has been offered an exclusive 18-month option to purchase property near 27th and Commerce Parkway for $800,000.

The area is conducive for retail, commercial and business park use, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty. If the city commission approves the purchase, Dougherty said the specific location will then be identified.

“Timing is just a matter of the property became available,” Dougherty said.

“But also the city commission authorized a contract with a regional consultant and recruiter at the last regular meeting. If the city were to have title to a piece of property, it could more easily facilitate the location of future retail in the area.”

At the March 22 meeting, city commissioners approved a year-to-year contract with Retail Strategies of Birmingham, Alabama.

The city would have the choice of extending nearby infrastructure and marketing the property or to work with a developer for the property.

The option money would be paid from the Commission Capital Reserve Fund.

Purchase of the land is to be discussed at Thursday’s city commission meeting. The complete agenda is available here.