City prepares for college project
Staff reporter
The City of Hillsboro needs to be prepared for a new addition of town houses to be constructed by Tabor College.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, informed Hillsboro City Council Oct. 18, that the college had received a grant and was moving closer to beginning the development. Plans indicated construction could begin as soon as next summer, said Garrett.
Street improvements would be required prior to construction, said the city's consulting engineer Bob Privateria.
Mayor Delores Dalke said she recently attended a meeting with Kansas Department of Transportation regarding a revolving loan program.
"It has to be a street project," said Dalke. The repayment is based on the life of the project and the loan amount does not count against the city's indebtedness.
Garrett said curb and gutter, underground drainage, and diagonal parking needed to be addressed.
Previously the city had applied for grant funding on Adams Street for economic development purposes but did not receive it, said Dalke.
The question was asked if additional street projects could be included in the scope of the project and loan. Garrett said the loan would be limited to a 20-year payback and the city couldn't afford to do it all.
Dalke said KDOT suggested the city use city sales tax revenue for paying back the loan.
Councilman Len Coryea asked if two-block increments could be considered for this type of project. Privateria said it could.
More discussion followed regarding whether the street should be completed before or after the complex.
Privateria said if the city waited for the college to complete the project, the city would lose one construction season.
Coryea said he was concerned about heavy equipment for the housing project using the new street.
Privateria suggested the top two inches of asphalt not be laid until the town homes are completed.
Dalke said if the city waited, the costs could increase due to interest rates.
City officials will review the loan application to determine time frames. Privateria and city officials will meet with college officials to discuss the scope of the project.
Privateria also will provide cost estimates when appropriate.
