By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Oak Park Complex project is moving forward by the Hays USD 489 school board, although Monday night’s approval of four related items were by a split vote.

The $2 million dollar lease agreement for the former medical complex at 2501 E. 13th Street, and contracts for a construction manager and architect passed 4-2. Board members Greg Schwartz and Lance Bickle voted against each item. They, along with board president Mandy Fox who was absent, have consistently opposed the project.

Nabolz Construction, Lenexa, and DLR Group, Overland Park, were awarded the contracts which were notarized during a five-minute break in the meeting at 8 p.m.

The building will be renovated for use by the Early Childhood Connections (ECC) program. The Washington school and Munjor building, where ECC is now housed, will be closed.

HaysMed, the owner of the largest portion of the complex, has agreed to donate $500,000 of the purchase price of the complex back to the school district for use in the renovations. A $1.47 federal grant requires the renovation work to be complete by June 30, 2019.

The renovated center is set to open to students in the fall.